The Freedom Trail

For those who prefer guided tours, the National Park Service, conducts a tour every half hour from the park visitor center at 15 State Street opposite the Old State House. And those who would rather not walk eh unofficial guided tours or the trolley tours are available though this gives a miss to some sites along the Trail.

To find out more about guided tours contact the Greater Boston Visitors and Convention Bureau (http://www.bostonusa.com/)

The Freedom Trail Foundation (http://www.thefreedomtrail.org/) works to keep this tour alive as an introduction to Colonial Revolutionary Boston.

Boston Common

Location: Between Tremont, Beacon, Charles and Boylston Streets.

This is the starting point of the Freedom Trail. Almost 50 acres of the Boston Common is one of the oldest public parks in the country. Boston Common is the anchor point for a string of connected parks, called the Emerald Necklace.

Massachusetts State House

Location: Beacon Street at Park Street

The “New” State House, built in 1798, is across from the Boston Common, on the top of Beacon Hill. Charles Bullfinch designed the building, which was built on land owned by John Hancock, the first elected governor of Massachusetts. The dome on this building was originally made of wood shingles but has since been covered in copper and plated in 23 karat gold.
The State House is open Monday through Friday from 10:00am to 4:00pm and tours are free of charge.

Park Street Church and Granary Burying Ground

Location: Park and Tremont Streets.

The burying ground was founded in 1660. It is the third oldest burial ground in Boston, aside from Massachussetts Governors, Clergymen, and Mayors, three signers of the Declaration of Independence are also buried here. In 1737 grain was stored here and the burying ground was renamed the Granary.

Park Street Church now stands on this site and it dates back to 1809. This is a very important church, often referred to as Evangical Church of firsts, because of the many first time events such as the first Sunday school in 1818, the first prison aid in 1824, William Lloyd Garrison’s first public anti-slavery speech on July 4, 1829, and the first rendition of “My Country ’Tis of Thee” by the church children’s choir. 

The Park Street church is open Tuesday through Saturday, July and August 9:30am to 3:30pm. In the winter the Church is accessible by appointment only. The Burying ground is open daily 9:00am to 5:00pm.
Entry to both places is Free.

Kings Chapel and Chapel Burying Ground

Location: Tremont and School Streets

King’s Chapel Burying Ground is the oldest burial ground in Boston proper. It is the final resting place of illustrious colonists, such as John Winthrop, the Colony’s governor; Hezekiah Usher, the colony’s first printer; and Mary Chilton, the first women to step off the Mayflower.

The Church, designed by Peter Harrison was built for the Anglican parish ordained by King James II, to insure the presence of the Church of England in America. Since none of the colonist’s would sell land for it the King ordered Governor Andros to seize a corner of the burying ground and the church was built there.

The burying ground is open daily 9:00am - 5:00pm in late spring, summer, and early fall; in winter it is closed at 3:00pm.
The King’s Chapel is open 10:00am to 4:00pm on all days except Mondays.

First Public School Site and Ben Franklin Statue

Location: School Street

This is the site of the first public school in America, which was originally established in 1635 at the residence of Schoolmaster Philemon Pormont, and later shifted to this location. The schools illustrious alumni include Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock. The Boston Latin School is now located in Fenway.
Overlooking the site of his former school is Benjamin Franklin’s portrait statue.