Freedom trail boston mass8/23/2023 I'm a history buff but much of what I heard was new to me. We were the only three on the tour, which was free and led by a National Park Service ranger (Fred, who was great) it started at the Robert Gould Shaw monument across from the MA State House and then wound its way through part of Beacon Hill. With two friends, I took this tour in August 2012 and it exceeded my expectations. Next time I will plan this better and start this Trail first in order to get a better historical understanding. I ended the walk at the African Meeting House which was unfortunately closed. For Star Wars fans look out for the stormtroopers along Pinckney St. There was also more hills to climb so keep this in mind (better to start this one first). It was nice to experience a different setting with less people and traffic. The Trail wanders around the Beacon Hill neighborhood so definitely a lot more residential feel versus the Freedom Trail. While I believed I saw the outside of the ones detailed in the map I was not certain. However the map was a bit limited in identifying the houses but not the specific addresses of those historically important ones. From here the map really helped out as there was limited signage and the ground was not inlaid with brick or painted brick. The Black Heritage Trail started off at the 54th Regiment Memorial across from the State House. I don’t recommend you do this as my feet were really tired afterwards. After completing the Freedom Trail I then headed back to Boston Common. I grabbed a map and figure out it was back at my original starting point at the Massachusetts State House. I found out about this Trail after I entered Faneuil Hall and started listening to one of the park rangers. Do not neglect this important historical area. Taking the tour at African Meeting House, the last stop, is a must if you want to walk the same floors as Frederick Douglass in the oldest Black church in the US, see Robert Gould Shaw's dress uniform, read original pamphlets from the celebration of the abolition of slave trade held there July 14, 1808. NPS Stamps are available at both Faneuil and African Meeting house however, Jr. Information/Headquarters for this trail is available at Faneuil Hall. We happened on one and sat in on his commentary at one of the stops. The best way to do this is to get the free tour available from National Park Service park rangers. Even just walking the streets and neighborhood of Beacon Hill is really interesting. Most of the buildings are not available to tour however, there are free audio tours and a walking map available with the NPS app that shares the historical significance of the buildings. Can you call it the 'Freedom Trail' if not everyone was free? The Black Heritage trail tells the work it took to see everyone free in the new US.
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