Category: revolution (11)

Celebrate the life of Benjamin Franklin on this guided walk along his homes and haunts in Colonial Boston. Born in Boston, he came of age in Philadelphia, and was the darling of Paris. His legacy is without measure. He was one of America's leading scientists, inventors, diplomats, humorists, and statesmen. Uncover stories of Benjamin Franklin’s many inventions, his civic and educational impact, and his roles in the founding of the United States. find out more

“History is written by the victors” is an oft-quoted aphorism. Our Boston’s Loyalists tour tells the story of Boston’s role in the lead-up to the American War of Independence from the perspective of those who remained loyal to the British crown. This unique tour will visit historic Boston landmarks like the Granary Burying Ground, King’s Chapel, Old South Meeting House and Marshall Street. Our guides will introduce you to Boston’s Loyalists, some whom are familiar, others lesser known. These include artist John Singleton Copley, Governor Thomas Hutchinson, the enterprising Elizabeth Murray, and the sharp-witted Rev. Dr. Mather Byles. Perfect for those who want a deep-dive into Boston’s colonial history from a perspective apart from the typical Revolutionary War walking tour, Boston’s Loyalists will show you the Old Town from another point of view. find out more

The French have played an important part in the history of Boston. We will explore many details of their involvement as we walk through much of the Heart of the Freedom Trail and talk about and see examples of their influence. We will start at the Lafayette Plaque, then visit many gravesites in the Granary Burial Ground, talking about the Huguenots and their influence, both politically and commercially. At King's Chapel we will discuss the incident that ultimately resulted in the erection of the St. Sauveur Memorial Obelisk that is in front of the Chapel. We will be discussing King Louis Philippe’s stay here and the French financial help provided at the Ebenezer Hancock House. find out more

This child’s-eye view of the Freedom Trail in the North End, Boston’s oldest neighborhood, is specially designed for young walkers from 6 -12 years of age. We'll take a journey back in time and talk about events leading up to the American Revolution, and we'll walk in the footsteps of some of the important Bostonians that helped us gain our independence. Stops include Paul Revere’s House and the Old North Church - where Revere ordered two lanterns to be lit. And there will be one very important horse ride that we’ll talk about along the way! find out more

Relive the adventures of Johnny Tremain in Colonial Boston based on Esther Forbes' prize-winning coming-of-age novel featuring a young boy who gets caught up in the whirlwind of events that led up to the American Revolution. Johnny's story unfolds in downtown and North End locales, many of which are today's Freedom Trail sites including the Old State House, Copp's Hill Burying Ground, Paul Revere's House, and the Old North Church. On this tour, hear of Johnny's fictional friends, like Rab and Cilla, but also of the actual patriots he met along the way, such as Dr. Joseph Warren, John Hancock, William Dawes, and Paul Revere. Get acquainted with the bustling and political town of Johnny's Boston that has become the great American city of today. To trace Johnny's footsteps is also to experience the larger tale of America's fight for freedom. find out more

This walk follows the first President on his six-day visit to Boston as part of his post-inaugural tour of New England 230 years ago, in October 1789. In 1789, Boston was on the cusp of transformation, its economy rebounding from the war years, with its advances in industry, technology, and commerce on show for this most important of visitors. Boston in 1789 was still a town, not a city. Charles Bulfinch had yet to create his many churches and civic landmarks, and the hills of the Shawmut Peninsula were not yet plundered for their gravel and landfill. In part, we will walk the route of the civic parade organized for Washington’s arrival; stop by many of the sites where he visited, worshipped, and – yes – slept; and learn about Governor Hancock’s political miscalculation when President Washington came to town. find out more

This tour is a 90 minute walk through historic East Cambridge, the neighborhood built upon a glacial hill. Discover the place where the continental flag adopted by the 1775 Continental Congress flew first at Fort Putnam during the Revolutionary War and where a beautiful square in the heart of the neighborhood hosts the Charles Bulfinch courthouse and several striking buildings that once comprised the Middlesex County seat. Learn about the complicated Andrew Craigie, considered to be the creator of East Cambridge, and his planning and building strategies that have left a legacy that is still visible today. Historic houses, churches and storefronts hold many stories of the lives lived in this vibrant neighborhood that became home to so many Europeans who immigrated from the beginning of the nineteenth into the twentieth centuries to make East Cambridge one of the nation’s industrial powerhouses that produced the first great glass industry in the country as well as multiple manufacturers of many things, among them: soap, rope, barrels, caskets, firecrackers, steam pumps, hats, furniture and candy. find out more

Called one of America’s first architects , Charles Bulfinch (1763-1844) defined the Federal style of architecture and the physical fabric of Boston, capturing the vision and spirit of the young Republic . As an architect, town planner, and selectman, Bulfinch designed some of the city’s most enduring buildings, and the street layout now known as the Bulfinch Triangle . Bulfinch’s story unfolds through some of his greatest works, including the Massachusetts State House, the residences of Beacon Hill, the sites of Boston’s first theater and first Catholic cathedral, and the Tontine Crescent, which was his architectural masterpiece and financial ruin. find out more