Let’s take a walk: A virtual tour of The

Freedom TrailBoston,

Massachusetts

By: Rebecca WaalkesGrades 4 and 5

ED 205

What is the Freedom Trail?

The Freedom Trail is a path marked by red brick that guides people through the city of Boston. Walking this trail allows people to visit major historical sites. These landmarks represent major events in our nation’s history.

Let’s Start Walking…Our First Stop: The State HouseOur Second Stop: Granary Burying GroundOur Third Stop: Paul Revere’s HouseOur Fourth Stop: Old North ChurchOther Stops on the Freedom TrailAbout the AuthorResources

Click this button on any slide to return to this home page

The State HouseThe State House was built between the years of 1795 and 1797 by an architect named Charles Bulfinch. The land that the State House was built on was owned by Massachusetts first elected Governor, John Hancock. The dome was originally made of wood shingles, but replaced with copper in 1802. Then in 1861, it was plated with 24 karat gold to prevent leaking. The top of the dome holds a lantern and a pinecone. The pinecone is there to represent to logging industry of Massachusetts.This location is referred to as the “new” state house because it was built to replace the “old “ State House. The “new” State House is where the House of Representatives is located.

Click on the picture to take a quiz to test your knowledge of

The State House

Test Your Knowledge!!

Who owned the land that the State House was built on?A: George WashingtonB: John HancockC: George W. Bush

What was the dome originally made of?A: ClayB: PlaydoughC: Wood

Stored in the top of the dome is a lantern and a ?

Click on the

question mark to see the answers

Granary Burying Ground

This cemetery is hundreds of years old. It was founded in 1660, and later named Granary in 1737 because of the grain that was stored nearby. Despite only having 2300 headstones, about 5000 people are buried there because it was expensive to bury the dead. Many important people are buried here, but two of the most famous are Samuel Adams and John Hancock. Both of these men were signers of the Declaration of Independence.

Click the picture to see the gravestones of Samuel Adams

and John Hancock

Gravestones John Hancock (Born 1737- Died 1793)

Samuel Adams (Born 1722- Died 1803)

Paul Revere’s HousePaul Revere’s house is the oldest in downtown Boston. It was bought by him in 1770. After the house was sold in 1800, it was used for multiple things including a cigar shop and a candy store. The house was bought by Paul Revere’s grandson in 1902 to save it from demolition. This house was the starting point of Revere’s immortal “midnight ride”.

Click here to see the video about “the midnight ride”

Click on the picture to see pictures of Paul

Revere’s house

Paul Revere’s House

Old North Church

The Old North Church was the location that the man Robert Newman signaled that the British troops were coming. He used lanterns as signals, and that is how we got the famous saying, “One if by land, and two, if by sea.” This is the oldest church in Boston and has a steeple reaching 191 feet, the highest steeple in Boston. The bells in the steeple were the first to be brought to America.

Click on the picture to reach the official

Freedom Trail website

Other stops on the Freedom Trail…

King’s Chapel Burial Ground Old City Hall

About the Author

I am Rebecca Waalkes and I am 25 years old. I just recently visited Boston for the first time, and I was so blown away by the history I had to make this project about what I saw. I am almost finished with my degree and plan to teach elementary age children. I am currently a teacher at Appletree Christian Learning Center in the pre-school classroom.

Answers to: Test Your Knowledge!!

B: John Hancock C: Wood Pinecone

Resourceswww.thefreedomtrail.orgwww.aviewoncities.comwww.cityofboston.govwww.wikapedia.comwww.youtube.comAny questions please e-mail me at whiteangel319@yahoo.com