T H E   F R E E D O M   T R A I L

Boston, Massachusetts

In front I discover this life-size donkey. Here's a little history about School Street political life and political party mascots.

Just a stone's throw away, I soon arrive at Old South Meeting House where an open-air market is in full swing. Built in 1729, the meeting house was one of the first buildings in the US to be designated as a historic sight. The largest meeting place in Boston at one time, it was where the multitudes gathered to debate and act on the issues of the day; The Boston Massacre, impressment of American sailors in the British Military, launching point of the Boston Tea Party.

The meeting house is inviting me with open doors, but I'm pressed for time and opt to push on to the next sight along the trail.

My next stop on the trail is Boston's oldest public building, the Old State House. Built in 1713 and used by Massachusetts colony, county, and town governments, it was a beehive of activity during colonial times. Having the foresight to encourage the public's understanding of the government's inner-workings, a visitor's gallery was added in 1766 to accommodate a public audience while the legislature was in session.

The last three shots do well in showing how the old and new architecture share common space but not common time. I really appreciate all the contrasts in architecture here in Boston. There's always room for history and antiquity here in good ole Beantown. The last two photos are from later this evening.