The Freedom Trail is a 2.5-mile-long path
through downtown Boston, Massachusetts that
passes by 16 locations significant to the
history of the United States.
Marked largely with brick, it winds between
Boston Common to the USS Constitution in Charlestown.
Stops along the trail include simple explanatory
ground markers, graveyards, notable churches
and buildings, and a historic naval frigate.
While most of the sites are free or suggest
donations, the Old South Meeting House, the
Old State House, and the Paul Revere House
charge admission.
The Freedom Trail is overseen by the City
of Boston's Freedom Trail Commission and is
supported in part by the Freedom Trail Foundation
and Boston National Historical Park.
The Freedom Trail was originally conceived
by local journalist William Schofield, who
in 1951 suggested building a pedestrian trail
to link together important local landmarks.
Boston mayor John Hynes decided to put Schofield's
idea into action.
By 1953, 40,000 people were walking the trail
annually.
The National Park Service operates a visitor's
center on the first floor of Faneuil Hall,
where they offer tours, give out free maps
of the Freedom Trail and other historic sites,
and sell books about Boston and United States
history.
Some observers have noted the tendency of
the Freedom Trail's narrative frame to omit
certain historical locations, such as the
sites of the Boston Tea Party and the Liberty
Tree.
Members of the Boy Scouts of America who hike
or camp along the Freedom Trail may be eligible
for the Historic Trails Award.
Official trail sites
Boston Common
Massachusetts State House
Park Street Church
Granary Burying Ground
King's Chapel
King's Chapel Burying Ground
Benjamin Franklin statue and former site of
Boston Latin School
Old Corner Bookstore
Old South Meeting House
Old State House
Site of the Boston Massacre
Faneuil Hall
Paul Revere House
Old North Church
Copp's Hill Burying Ground
Bunker Hill Monument
USS Constitution
The Black Heritage Trail crosses the Freedom
Trail between the Massachusetts State House
and Park Street Church.
References
Further reading
External links
Freedom Trail Foundation
The Black Heritage Trail
Boston National Historic Park
The Boston Harbor Walk
The Freedom Trail - BSA Pamphlet
1798 Map of Boston
Clough's 1798 Atlas of Boston
1640 Map of Boston
History of the Freedom Trail
PDF Map of the Freedom Trail
