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LOCATION 1
Massachusetts State House
Hello, and welcome to my tour of the Freedom Trail. My name is Mitch Lapin. I am a licensed historical tour guide for The Freedom Trail in Boston, Cambridge, Lexington, and Concord. Additionally,...
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LOCATION 2
The Massachusetts 54th Civil War Regiment Memorial
Stop here in front of the memorial.
If you watched the movie Glory released in 1989, then you are familiar with the 54thregiment, one of the first colored regiments enlisted from the North, aft...
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LOCATION 3
William Blaxton and John Winthrop
Stop here for a moment at the bottom of the steps and take a look around you.
The dimensions of the Boston Common have changed very little. The Frog Pond to your right existed in 1630. John Han...
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LOCATION 4
Left across Park Street
At the intersection, turn left to cross Park Street at the light and continue walking, keeping the Park Street Church on your left. Proceed to the three-step entrance in the middle of the Granary B...
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LOCATION 5
The Granary Cemetery
Now, go through the entrance on your left and head up the three steps to enter the Granary. Walk straight towards the back, keeping the Franklin Obelisk on your left until the walkway ends. We will...
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LOCATION 6
Paul Revere's Life
Follow the path to the left, and just ahead on the right is Paul Revere's marker and tombstone. Stop once you reach it.
[5 SECONDS PAUSE]
Paul's father's name was Apollos Rivoire born on an e...
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LOCATION 7
John Hancock's Obelisk
Please stop here at John Hancock's Obelisk while I tell you about him.
John's father died in 1744. Consequently, as so often happened in this century, Mary Hancock needed to off-load the cost o...
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LOCATION 8
James Otis at the Pudding Stone
Coming up on your left as you round the path is James Otis' marker. Stop once you reach the pudding rock at the corner of the path. The plaque on the side reflects on his most famous statement; "T...
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LOCATION 9
Sam Adams Gravestone
In front of you is Sam Adams's gravestone. Stop here while I tell you about him.
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LOCATION 10
Sam Adams and the Victims of the Boston Massacre
Sam was quite a character. He was always broke. His clothes were disheveled and would have remained so if were not for the good graces of the other four Massachusetts representatives to the Contine...
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LOCATION 11
Back to the main entrance
We're now going to leave the Cemetery, so when you're ready, make your way back to the entrance.
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LOCATION 12
Leaving the Granary Cemetery
Walk out the main entrance and turn left on Tremont Street. You will come to the Suffolk University building with the Tremont Temple across the street. We will discuss the Tremont Temple, The Parke...
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LOCATION 13
The Tremont Baptist Temple and Parker (Omni) House Hotel
Directly across the street is the Tremont Temple Baptist Church. Let's stop here and take a look at this church. Did you notice that there is no steeple pointing to god? This is the fourth renditio...
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LOCATION 14
King's Chapel
Stop here at the corner. To your right, on Tremont Street is King’s Chapel. If you were an Anglican during Puritan dominance, you might have found it difficult to find a place to worship. It is al...
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LOCATION 15
Boston Latin School plaque
Underneath you, on the sidewalk, is a plaque commemorating the establishment of the first-ever public school in America The Boston Latin School began in 1635. Once you've had a good look continue ...
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LOCATION 16
The Franklin's, Kennedy's and Mathers
You've reached the large cast-iron gates in front of the Old City Hall. Turn left into the courtyard and another left to the statue.
[8 SECONDS PAUSE]
Do not read the inscription on the st...
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LOCATION 17
School Street Court Yard, Tea Party, Old South Meeting House & Jewett Publishing Company
Please stop here with your back to the Walgreen's Pharmacy. Caty corner across Washington Street is the Old South Meeting House. Let me take you back to December 1773. Sam Adams is standing at the ...
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LOCATION 18
Along Washington Street
Continue along Washington Street, crossing Waters Street, heading for 206 Washington Street.
The Old State House is set back just before State Street. We will use this time to divulge the oft...
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LOCATION 19
The Old State House
The red brick building set back from Washington Street is the Old State House. Stop in front of it as we learn about its history. This building was built of wood in 1657 and called the Town House. ...
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LOCATION 20
Old State House medallion
Stop for a moment here at the medallion in the ground and turn to the balcony above.
Above you at America's bicentennial, in 1976, the current Queen Elizabeth stood on the balcony and gave a th...
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LOCATION 21
Cross State Street
Use the crosswalk diagonally to your left to cross over State Street.
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LOCATION 22
Cross Congress Street
Once across State Street, turn right to cross Congress Street, and keep going along the left-hand side of State Street. You will be on a brick sidewalk.
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LOCATION 23
The Boston Massacre
Take a left just past the SweetGreen salad bar at the rear of the building and stand on the steps. You will learn about the tragic Boston Massacre, that took place at this alley formerly called Exc...
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LOCATION 24
To Faneuil Hall
Walk down the long steps on your right. The three-story colonial building in front of you is Faneuil Hall. Veer right to walk to the rear of it, opposite of the granite Quincy Market.
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LOCATION 25
Faneuil Hall, "The Cradle of Liberty"
Stop once you're at the rear of Faneuil Hall.
Peter Faneuil offered to pay for the initial cost of constructing a building to serve as a central marketplace. Before adoption, the selectmen calle...
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LOCATION 26
Cross to Union Street Park
On your right is a crosswalk. Use it to cross North Street, then cross over Union Street to make your way into Union Street Park. Our walk will continue through the park. I'll meet you there.
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LOCATION 27
Union Street Park
Once in the park, walk down the middle of the path between Congress and Union Streets.
The two statues at the beginning of Union Park depict the same individual; four-time Mayor James Michael ...
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LOCATION 28
The New England Holocaust Museum
Feel free to read the kiosk at each glass tower and along the path. Look down through the grates in the walkway at each tower. The smoke emanating along with the serial numbers etched in the glass ...
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LOCATION 29
The Haymarket Riot
Cross Hanover Street and turn right.
If it is Friday or Saturday, you'll be confronted by the weekly Haymarket Riot. Wholesalers from all over Massachusetts hawk their leftover produce at make-...
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LOCATION 30
Cross to Rose Kennedy Greenway
You're now at John Fitzgerald Surface Road. John was the maternal grandfather of the Kennedy sons, John, Robert, and Ted, and mayor of Boston and U.S. House of Representatives. Cross straight over ...
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LOCATION 31
Rose Kennedy Greenway To the North End
You're now in the Rose Kennedy Greenway. If it’s a nice day, you will probably find adults and children enjoying the fourteen fountains in this 1.5-mile green open space.Although the Central Artery...
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LOCATION 32
Paul Revere's best rides
As you walk along Hanover Street, you are certain to see the influence of Italian immigration that took place in the 1860s. By the 1930s the Italian population peaked at 44,000, within a square mil...
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LOCATION 33
Bill Clinton's dependency on cannolis
Coming up on your left is Mike's Pastries. It’s not unusual to see people walking the streets of the North End with a white string tied box bearing the name, “Mike’s pastries.” Stop once you reach ...
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LOCATION 34
Paul Revere, the Coroner of Boston
Turn left onto Prince and walk to Salem Street. We are headed to the Old North Church where the two lantern signals were hung. There is so much more to Paul Revere's life than his famous midnight r...
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LOCATION 35
Salem Street food options
You've reached Salem Street. Stop here for a moment.
We'll shortly be turning right here and heading two blocks up to the Old North Church. The church is privatized and does charge admission for...
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LOCATION 36
To Old North Church
As your walk toward the Old North Church, the Dodd House Card shop (souvenirs & books), opposite the Old North Church is on the left at 176 Salem Street. Prices are most reasonable. Localized boo...
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LOCATION 37
The Old North Church
Stop here in front of the Old North Church.
In 1861, 86 years after Paul Revere's famous ride, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow memorialized the church in his famous poem, "The Midnight Ride of Paul Rev... -
LOCATION 38
Left on Unity Street
Turn left onto Unity Street and keep going.
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LOCATION 39
Paul Revere Mall
If you came here via the Church Gates, head over the street, onto Paul Revere Mall and towards the statue of Paul Revere and horse, at the other end.
If you came here from Unity Street, turn rig...
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LOCATION 40
Paul Revere's Horse
Stop once you reach the statue.
Cyrus Dallin, of Springville, Utah won the award in 1883 to sculpture Paul Revere and his horse for the Paul Revere Park. He was an art student in Boston applying...
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LOCATION 41
Saint Stephens Catholic Church
Once across Hanover Street, take a right in front of the Church and walk back down Hanover Street.
By the way, on the left of the church is Lucia Restorante, known for its robust Frutti de Mare ...
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LOCATION 42
To Garden Court Street
Cross Fleet Street, turn left, then take the next right onto Garden Court Street, heading towards No. 4 Garden Court.
Thomas Hutchinson, then Governor had an oversized mansion on the right side...
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LOCATION 43
Rose Kennedy's birthplace
You're passing No. 4 Garden Court on your right. Imagine, dignified Rose Kennedy and 13 children born on the second floor of this dwelling. Rose fell in love with Joseph P. Kennedy and they secretl...
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LOCATION 44
Paul Revere Museum
The small greenish-gray clapboard house at 19 North Square was built in 1660. One hundred and ten years later, 35-year-old Paul Revere purchased the house. Six of his children lived here when a sm...