Afternoon Excursion - Historic Boston

On the day of the pre-conference, we had a morning of set-up, getting the session started with a luncheon, and making sure everything was going well.  Then we were "free" the rest of the day.

My colleague, Beth, and I decided we would head out to see a few sights for the afternoon.  We took the T (subway) to Faneuil Hall.

A little history of this place (from it's website).

In 1742 Peter Faneuil, Boston's wealthiest merchant, built Faneuil Hall as a gift to the city.

The edifice was home to merchants, fishermen, and meat and produce sellers, and provided a platform for the country's most famous orators. It is where colonists first protested the Sugar Act in 1764 and established the doctrine of "no taxation without representation."

Firebrand Samuel Adams rallied the citizens of Boston to the cause of independence from Great Britain in the hallowed Hall, and George Washington toasted the nation there on its first birthday

We walked through it and the Quincy Market, home to all kinds of food vendors and a market place of shops.  We then crossed over to the North Side Neighborhood to follow part of the Freedom Trail.  We made a quick stop in "Little Italy" to buy some cannoli's at Mike's Pastry, a local landmark.

A few blocks down was Paul Revere Park which connected to the Old North Church (1 if by land, 2 if by sea).

In the courtyard of the church was a monument to all the fallen soldiers in Afghanistan.  Each dog tag represents one soldier.

Inside the church.  Each family had a pew box with a plaque on the door with their family's name.

Around the corner, we found a chocolatier and printing press shop from the 1800's.

He told us that the printing press was similar to the one Ben Franklin had in Philadelphia (I told him I had seen it).  Ben would have apprenticed at a shop like this one in Boston.  He also said the Declaration of Independence would have said the same thing, but the layout would have looked different if printed in Boston vs. printed in Philly.

A few blocks over was Paul Revere's house.

We walked back a slightly different way and saw Faneuil Hall from a new angle.  It looked so interesting among the modern skyline. 

We talked about walking to a few other attractions (USS Constitution, Bunker Hill, etc.) but it was a bit chilly and breezy so we decided to head back to our hotel for a little afternoon nap.