Looking for an escape from the hectic life of living a city? Try taking a step back (as in history) to find out the roots of the city you live in. The Boston Freedom Trail is an easy-to-follow walking tour that anyone can follow and immerse themselves in stories from the past.
Colonial dressed figures can be found walking the streets of Boston, usually with a crowd of eager tourists, made up of mostly families who want to learn more about the historical sites of Boston. These enthusiastic tour guides follow the red brick line of the Freedom Trail, which winds through Boston streets bringing people to sites where history was made.
I recently took on the task of walking the Freedom Trail, which is about two and half miles along the red brick line. Starting in the Common, I opted out of paying $15 for a guided tour by a dressed-up colonial guide and bought a three dollar walking map instead that had helpful tidbits of information on each of the historical sites.
Visiting each one brought back memories of learning American History in high school. I entered Paul Revere’s House to remember his famous ride to warn colonists that “The British are coming.” I climbed the monument at Bunker Hill to remember the victory battle that was fought there during the Revolutionary War and saw John Hancock’s grave to be reminded of his famous signature on The Declaration of Independence.
My family also has a connection to the trail because my great grandfather Robert Winn helped create the concept of the trail and worked in restoring The Old North Church in the 1950’s.
When I finished the trail, I felt more connected to not only the city of Boston but to the roots of my family as well. By following the trail I learned what made the city first tick, how it got started, and it’s importance in the making of America on how we know it today.
