Boston's Colonial Passion Revealed

By usfman on June 28, 2024

Do you try enough to include the study of history in your travels? Why or why not?

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." (George Santayana)

A sudden rush of genuine emotion "hit me" as Ruth and I settled into our cruise excursion walk in Boston. Keep in mind we were allotted only three hours to tour the city on our own from our bus drop off point at the wharf near the New England Aquarium. So the main challenge presented this Thursday afternoon dictated limited sightseeing in order to make our bus pickup by 3:30 pm. It thus became a formidable time challenge for us to reach the closest point of the Boston Common, our primary destination, which would lie at least one mile away from the wharf.

Crossing over a heavily traveled traffic belt to begin this brief self-guided tour, I noticed our gradual uphill climb as we meandered along increasingly narrowing streets in mostly a diagonal or zig zag pattern. In colonial times for certain, these very street corridors filled with horse driven vehicles traffic and local Bostonians afoot in slow cobblestone fashion.

Around thirty minutes into our walk, I made a satisfying discovery that made our intended route much easier to follow. For we'd reached the red brick lines designating the appearance of the "Freedom Trail" that led to the northern tip of the Boston Common a vast, pastoral forestland across Tremont Street.Yet time limitations would limit our walk to a few blocks on this historic pathway followed by a short rest on a park bench within the Common grounds before making our way back to the bus.

So as a Boston traveler, I would invite you to feel as I did the strong spirit of independence that settled over this "Early America" town in the late 18th century. Imagine for instance how concerned citizens gathered at the Old South Meeting House in which massive public protests took place from 1768-1765 against British imposition of burdensome taxation at militia cruelties the time. Or honor those famous Founding Freedom Founders who now lie silent now in the Old Granary Burial Ground such as Paul Revere, John Hancock, and Samuel Adams.

I also urge you to obtain much needed knowledge about our country's early history in your Boston explorations. Learn some facts about what took place at the Old Stone Clock Tower for example, take time to read historic colonial markers or observe why there's so much much Celtic pride pervading this city.

Challenge yourself as well to be your own tour guide. Walk the entire 2.5 mile loop of the Freedom Trail and just choose your own historic sites to visit along the way. Rest when and where you want along a tree shaped spot on the Boston Common.

As Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin once belted out at concerts, "Does anyone out there remember laughter? Know there's plenty of lighthearted levity you should also embrace in Boston. Find an amusing tour guide like the retired teacher we met who told amusing stories like the one where prisoners in Boston once receiving up to two meals of lobsters each day. Or when you're tired of walking, hop on a local ferry or charter boat and take amusing notice of the distinctive Bostonian drawl - ie. pawk the cah at Hahvahd Yahd."