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These are my photos and thoughts from the Freedom Trail in Boston, that takes you around sites important in the history of the American Revolution. The trail and the history it illuminates is much easier to understand and ‘feel’ than it would be if portrayed in a classroom or a museum.

The USS Constitution is the last remaining all-sail warship in the world. Known as ‘Old Ironsides’ it was unvanquished in the war of 1812, and has been preserved ever since. As the flagship of the US Navy, it requires an act of Congress to allow the ship to sail. It will be sailing later this year, so if you get the chance, see it!

King’s Church in Boston is an Anglican (Episcopalian) church in the city. It was established to the disgust of the local, and largely Puritan residents, by stealing a corner of a long established burial ground. The interior is lavish and ornate, an obvious contrast with the spartan interior of the Puritan churches. At the time of the Revolution, it was a potent symbol of the British occupation.

The Massechussets State House was designed by Charles Bullfinch, and is an elegant and airy building, like all of his. The gilt copper dome was a product of the Revere foundry.

One of the most peculiar things about this place is the Sacred Cod. I remember reading about this in the excellent book Cod: A Biography of the Fish That Changed the World. While I was in the house of Representatives, a group of school kids came in, and the first thing they asked was ‘Where is it’ - pointing in exceitement at the cod, hanging from the ceiling. The House will not sit in the room if the cod is not there, and indeed when it has been taken as a prank, the house has not sat until it is returned. In the senate, which was the original house, there is a replacement cod built in to the chandelier. This is known as the Holy Mackerel.

Paul Revere’s house reminds me of Shakespeare’s birthplace in Stratford, in that it was a very early example of a building saved by popular demand. Unfortunately it was restored not to Revere’s time, but to the original period. In Revere’s time there was an extra floor.

The statue celebrates Revere’s ride, and in the background is the old north church, where the lanterns were hung to warn that the British were preparing to leave. Interestingly the legend began only when the poem was written in the early 19th century.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 7th, 2002 at 2:57 pm and is filed under life. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.