As a city with a vibrant past, Boston is a landmark destination for anyone interested in history. Scattered around the Boston city limits lie countless sites of historical interest, including some of America’s oldest public buildings and institutions and of course, the pivotal events that sparked the country’s quest for independence.
First, no historical trip to Boston would be complete without undertaking the Boston Freedom Trail. This red brick path zigzags across the city, starting at Boston Common before heading downtown, visiting 16 historical sights of national significance along the way.
The 2.5-mile Freedom Trail is a core attraction for tourists and history buffs alike; however, we thought we’d highlight a few of its attractions and include a few more of our own.
While Boston is privileged to have some of the oldest buildings in America, some have even greater claims to fame. The Massachusetts State House was built in 1798 and is the oldest running state capital building in the country. Capped initially with a giant wooden dome, it was then gilded with 23k gold to mark America’s 100th birthday in 1876.
Another of America’s oldest institutions that calls Boston home is the extraordinary Harvard University. Not only known worldwide for its high standards of excellence and innovation, remarkably, it has been providing top-class education to students ever since 1636.
The Robert Gould Shaw Memorial, which is featured on the Freedom Trail tour, was built to recognize this great American Officer and his 54th regiment of the Union Army. Profiled in the 1989 film Glory, it symbolizes the heroism of the U.S. Army’s first and oldest African American all-volunteer infantry division.
The year was 1776, and after an 11-month siege of Boston had ended, Boston became the platform that initiated the Declaration of Independence from Great Britain. Only a few years earlier in 1773, the Sons of Liberty had left Boston’s historic Old South Meeting House to begin the infamous rebellion by dumping 242 chests of tea into the harbor. Restored in 2009, the Old South Meeting House has stood since 1729 and is also home to the oldest American-made clock, which has ticked along since 1766.
Another key historic landmark related to America’s independence is the Old State House. Here in 1776 was the first reading of the American Declaration of Independence. To this day, every July 4th it is read out again at 10am to mark the special occasion and is certainly worth a visit.
For those who wish to pay homage to three of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, make sure you visit the Granary Burial Ground. Here you’ll find the graves of John Hancock, Robert Treat Paine and Samuel Adams, buried among other crucial historical figures like fellow patriot, Paul Revere.
Featured on the Boston Freedom Trail is the Bunker Hill Monument, a historical Revolutionary War memorial that commemorates the first major battle toward America’s independence. Visitors to the Bunker Hill Monument can read about how the battle unfolded on June 17, 1775. Those feeling adventurous can even climb the 221-foot granite obelisk commemorating the event.
Heading back to Boston Harbor is where our final suggested historical must-see sight can be found. You can climb aboard the USS Constitution, the oldest ship in the U.S. Navy. Frequently sailed around the harbor on special occasions; this shipping powerhouse was built to protect American merchant fleets from sea pirates. The USS Constitution fought and won over 40 battles and is nicknamed ‘Old Ironsides’ because of its undefeated record at sea.
Enhance your historical trip to Boston, Massachusetts, when you stay at the Best Western Braintree Inn.