Freedom Trail

The Freedom Trail is a 2.5-mile-long (4.0 km) route through Boston, Massachusetts, that passes by 16 places significant to the history of the United States. It runs from Boston Common in downtown Boston to the Bunker Hill Monument in Charlestown and is made mostly of brick. Along the trip are stops with plain explanatory ground markers, cemeteries, significant 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 grants from various nonprofits and foundations, private philanthropy, and Boston National Historical Park.

History

The Freedom Trail was conceived in 1926 by local journalist William Schofield, who proposed it as a way of enhancing tourism to the city. He suggested minor changes to existing features, such as adding a plaque to Paul Revere's house, and building a wharf near Boston Common. The first public event held along the trail was a children's patriotic pageant on Boston Common on July 4, 1926.

The Freedom Trail Commission was created in 1951 to oversee the preservation and maintenance of the trail. In 1964, the Committee for the 200th Anniversary of American Independence proposed that a red line be painted along the route of the trail to make it more visible to pedestrians. The original trail markers were designed by skywalker Charles Stickney.

Official Trail Sites

The Freedom Trail is marked by a red line that is painted on the ground or embedded in paving stones. There are also brass markers at each site along the trail. The trail is 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) long and begins at Boston Common.

Some of the sites along the Freedom Trail include:

* Boston Common

* Massachusetts State House

* Park Street Church

* Granary Burying Ground

* King's Chapel

* King's Chapel Burying Ground

* Benjamin Franklin Statue and Grave

* Old South Meeting House

* Old State House

* Site of the Boston Massacre

* Faneuil Hall

* Paul Revere House

* Old North Church

* Christ Church

* Copp's Hill Burying Ground

* Bunker Hill Monument

How To Visit

The Freedom Trail is open year-round and can be visited anytime. There are a number of ways to experience the trail, including taking a self-guided tour, joining a guided tour, or downloading an audio tour. Guided tours are led by National Park Service Rangers as well as trained volunteers, and typically last about 90 minutes. Audio tours are available in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, and Mandarin.

Information provided by United Property Restoration Services.