Day 973-Keys to Canada-Boston Day 2

Freedom Trail-Boston's Freedom Trail is a 2.5-mile walking route marked by a distinctive red-brick line that connects 16 significant historical sites from the American Revolution. The trail begins at the Boston Common Visitor Center and concludes at the USS Constitution in the Charlestown Navy Yard

Boston City Hall-Boston City Hall is frequently ranked among the world's ugliest buildings due to its stark, monolithic Brutalist architecture, designed by Kallmann, McKinnell, and Knowles and completed in 1968. It was named the 4th ugliest building in the world by Buildworld in 2023 and 2024, and often tops local "most hated" lists

Kings Chapel Bury Ground-Boston's first Anglican church and oldest burying ground.

King’s Chapel was founded in 1686 after King James II reorganized the government into the Dominion of New England and for the first time sent a Royal Governor, Edmund Andros, to the colony. This act also brought an Anglican church to Puritan Boston, despite local resistance.  The story goes the Puritans said “over our dead bodies” and the King said my church will go here. 

A headstone like this was what lead Nathaniel Hawthorne to write the Scarlett Letter. "A" for Adultery. While others wore similar letters to admit their shame B -Blasphemy, D -Drunkenness, T -Theft

Granary Burial Ground-Resting place of Paul Revere, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock.

The small stone was the Original Paul Revere headstone 

Victims of the Boston Massacre

Samuel Adams

Ben Franklin buried his parents here. 

Old City Hall

Statue of Ben Franklin-The site of America's oldest public school.

The bronze donkey statue in Boston, Massachusetts, is a popular public art piece located in the courtyard of the historic Old City Hall on School Street. Installed in 1998, it represents the mascot of the Democratic Party.

To appease local Republicans after the Democratic donkey was installed, Webb later commissioned a set of bronze footprints placed directly in front of the donkey. These footprints feature an elephant (the symbol of the Republican Party) and read "Stand in Opposition"

School Street Park in downtown Boston is a small, historic urban plaza located along the Freedom Trail at the end of School Street. It features key city landmarks, including two notable sculptures (The American Dream and Lest We Forget) and the nearby historic site of the first public school in the U.S.

Irish Famine Memorial: A deeply moving bronze memorial honoring those lost during the Irish Potato Famine, located at the corner of Washington and School Streets, just at the edge of Downtown Crossing

Old North Church

The lanterns were hung in the steeple of the Old North Church  in Boston's North End on the night of April 18, 1775. 

The two lanterns served as a secret signal from Paul Revere to Patriots in Charlestown, indicating that British troops were crossing the Charles River by sea to march on Lexington and Concord

Old State House-The oldest surviving public building in Boston and site of the Boston Massacre.

Boston Massacre Site-Marked by a cobblestone ring outside the Old State House. The Boston Massacre was a deadly riot on March 5, 1770, where British soldiers shot into an angry crowd in Boston, killing five colonists and wounding six. It was caused by intense political tension, heavy taxation (Townshend Acts), and the unpopular 1768 occupation of Boston by British troops

Looking out the old State House down to cobblestone 

Faneuil Hall Market Place-Known as the "Cradle of Liberty," featuring a bustling marketplace and historic meeting hall.

Quincy Market is famous for its massive food hall, historic 1826 Greek Revival architecture, and for pioneering the "festival marketplace" concept. Located in downtown Boston, it serves as a central hub of culinary delights and is a National Historic Landmark

Paul Revere House-The oldest remaining structure in downtown Boston.

Old North Church- One if by land 2 if by sea April 18, 1775. Boston's oldest surviving church building, famous for the "one if by land, two if by sea" lantern signal.

Copp’s Hill Burying ground-A historic 1659 cemetery used by British troops during the occupation of Boston.

Lewis Warf-Little Italy-Lewis Wharf was within an area known as Clark's Wharf while owned by provincial councilor William Clark. It was later owned by Thomas Hancock and inherited by his nephew John Hancock in 1764. Thomas Lewis of Lynn, Massachusetts, was a successful merchant during the years following the American Revolution.

USS Constitution The world's oldest commissioned warship afloat. The USS Constitution is famous for being the world's oldest commissioned warship afloat and for her undefeated combat record. Nicknamed "Old Ironsides" during the War of 1812, she earned legendary status for her thick oak hull, which cannonballs famously bounced off of

Ye olde Union Oyster House 1826-The Kennedy Clan has patronized the Union Oyster House for years. J.F.K. loved to feast in privacy in the upstairs dining room. His favorite booth "The Kennedy Booth" has since been dedicated in his memory http://unionoysterhouse.com/pages/history.html-

The Invention and the Ploy of the toothpick

Before the toothpick became a dining staple, Americans used fragile goose quills to clean their teeth. In the mid-1800s, an enterprising businessman named Charles Forster cleverly used this restaurant as a proving ground to popularize the invention nationwide.

The Inspiration: Forster traveled to Brazil, where he noticed locals had exceptionally white teeth, which he attributed to their makeshift wooden toothpicks.

The Scheme: Upon returning, Forster started manufacturing wooden toothpicks. To create a demand, he hired Harvard University students to dine at the Union Oyster House and purposefully demand toothpicks at the end of their meal.

The Sale: When the restaurant owner confessed he did not have the items, the students made a fuss and threatened to dine elsewhere. Shortly after, Forster conveniently walked into the establishment with a box of toothpicks to sell

The Kennedy Booth

The Green Dragon Tavern 1657 has a long and rich history, playing an important part in the freedom of Boston during the War of Independence. Established in 1654, The Green Dragon was a favourite haunt of Paul Revere (whom we considered a close neighbour) and John Hancock (whose brother lived next door!).

The Last Hurrah- The Omni Parker House in Boston, opened on October 8, 1855, by Harvey D. Parker, is the longest continuously operating hotel in the United States. Renowned for introducing the "European plan" (charging for rooms separate from meals), the building is a cornerstone of Boston history, having hosted literary giants, presidents, and hosted the creation of Parker House rolls and Boston Cream Pie.

Day 972-Keys to Canada-Boston Day 1

 

Mystic River

Boston with friends...Let the fun begin

Kelli and Buffy

Mount Vernon Restaurant 
is a true Boston-area classic. Henry, who came to the United States from Ireland at just 18 years old in 1935, opened the Mt. Vernon before World War II and built it into a household name throughout the Boston area.
This family-owned restaurant has been serving guests for 91 years, and you can feel the history and pride the moment you walk in. The food and drinks were outstanding, and the staff was awesome. We had the pleasure of meeting Cole, the nephew of the current owner, who made the experience even more memorable.
If you’re traveling to Boston, put the Mt. Vernon on your must-visit list!

Day 970-Keys to Canada-Rhode Island

 

Newport, Rhode Island

Fort Adams is a historic coastal fortification located in Newport, Rhode Island. Established in 1799 to protect Narragansett Bay, the present granite fortress was constructed between 1824 and 1857. It is a masterpiece of military engineering that served the U.S. military through World War II before becoming a state park

Bellevue Avenue in Newport, Rhode Island, is a 2.5-mile corridor famous for its Gilded Age history. Beginning in the mid-19th century, wealthy American industrialists built lavish "summer cottages" here to escape city heat. Today, these architectural masterpieces serve as museums, private estates, and university buildings

Cardines Field is recognized as one of the oldest baseball stadiums in the United States, with origins dating back to the 1890s. It is most famous for housing the George Donnelly Sunset League—the oldest continuous amateur baseball league in the nation. 

Originally, the land was used by local railroads as a swampy drainage and supply basin for steam engines. Following complaints about mosquitoes and stagnant water from neighbors, the area was drained in the early 1900s. Railroad workers cleared a sandlot, and baseball games began. While local debates place the first official games anywhere between 1893 and 1908, early recorded stadium construction dates back to 1908

Providence, Rhode Island 

Rhode Island’s history began long before European arrival with Indigenous communities like the Narragansett and Wampanoag. Founded in 1636 by Roger Williams after his banishment from Massachusetts, the colony was built on radical principles of religious tolerance and the separation of church and state

Because the early Rhode Island colony began as four separate settlements, its government was highly decentralized. To ensure fairness, the General Assembly rotated its meetings among five different cities: Newport, Providence, East Greenwich, Bristol, and South Kingstown. By the mid-1800s, this system was simplified to rotating only between Newport and Providence. It wasn't until 1900, with a new state constitution amendment, that Providence was officially designated as the sole state capital. 

The Dome: It boasts the fourth-largest self-supporting marble dome in the world, following St. Peter's Basilica, the Minnesota State Capitol, and the Taj Mahal.

Day 966-Keys to Canada-Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania

From Amish handmade quilts to blueberry ice cream pie—with a little bit of trains thrown in—we’ve been keeping busy exploring Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. There’s something special about the simple moments on the road.

Amish Handmade Quilts 

Amish Country- Just another day plowing a field. 

Dayton, VA- Quilt Museum 

Applique Quilt made 1855 Preserved in a museum New Market, VA

Skyline Drive in Virginia is a 105-mile scenic roadway running along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains within Shenandoah National Park. Open year-round it takes about 3 hours to drive its entire length, featuring 75 overlooks, numerous hiking trails (including the Appalachian Trail), and popular spots for fall foliage and wildlife viewing. 

The famous signature dessert at Skyland Lodge in Shenandoah National Park is a Mile-High Blackberry Ice Cream Pie. This popular treat features a graham cracker crust, thick blackberry ice cream, and a toasted meringue topping, often served on their dining patio.

Stonewall Jackson used this home as his Headquarters for a few months. Located in Winchester, VA

George Washington used a little log building as a military office from September 1755 to December of 1756 while Fort Loudoun was being constructed at the north end of town. Winchester played an important role in George Washington’s early adult life; his military and political career began here. As a young man of sixteen, he came to the area to begin what he thought would be his life’s profession, surveying. With the earnings from his surveying business he was able to buy a number of acres around Frederick County and also a lot in the town that enabled him to serve as a Burgess from Frederick County 1758-1765. During the French and Indian War, he commanded the Virginia Regiment from his headquarters in Winchester.

Mount Vernon is famous as the beloved home, estate, and burial place of George Washington, the first U.S. president and commander-in-chief of the Continental Army. Located in Virginia, it is a premier historic site known for its 18th-century Georgian mansion overlooking the Potomac River, sprawling gardens, restored outbuildings, and its role as the center for studying Washington's life.

Handrail oldest part of the house in Mt Vernon dated 1758

George and Martha's bedroom

The Martinsburg Roundhouse in West Virginia is a historic 19th-century railroad facility, famous as the site of the 1877 Great Railroad Strike and for being destroyed during the Civil War. Built by the Baltimore & Ohio (B&O) Railroad, it is a rare, surviving cast-iron-framed roundhouse designed by Albert Fink and now functions as a historical site

Old Tavern