August 22-25,
2014
From Gloucester
to Boston was a short drive for SIT but the history lesson was long. We were
fortunate to park the trailer at a friends’ house during our time at Boston.
Stella lives in a nice neighborhood in Canton which isn’t too far from Boston.
It was great to
catch up with her but she also became our tour guide for Saturday. We hopped on
one of the trolley’s to get a feel for the city and learn some of the history.
It was a beautiful day and we were able to enjoy the scenery with great company.
At Boston Harbor
Stella our Hostess
Saturday Activity in the City
Awesome Street Performer
Trolley Adventure
Learning Even More
Exquisite and Old
Remembering the Immigrants
Tribute Along the Freedom Trail
Stella also
arranged a private tour for us at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She
has worked with Christopher on some research and he is completing his
Doctorate. He gave us a great tour of part of the campus and explained some of
the work he has been involved with. We are pretty sure he will go far in life.
MIT
Christopher our Tour Guide
Inside the MIT Dome
Affectionately Known as the Dr. Seuss Building
The Stata Building
Steve and I set
out on our own Sunday to tour the city a little bit closer and the
USS Constitution. The Charlestown Navy Yard National Park Service is home to
the USS Constitution and the USS Cassin Young.
The Navy
Department established six naval shipyards in 1800-1801 and one of them was in
Boston. At first this yard was a small supply depot but the War of 1812 changed
that when Charlestown began to work on the nation’s first ship of the line. In
the 1850s Charlestown began constructing steam warships, and during the Civil
War built Monadnock, and ironclad
monitor.
Charlestown was
able to diversify and offered a variety of services during it’s time, but
became known for making rope for the Navy which helped it survive during the
post-war naval decline. It continued to be an active yard until 1974 when it
closed. At that time 30 acres was set aside to preserve the history.
You’re probably
wondering about the USS Constitution about now. Well, it is currently docked
here and as a matter of fact is the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the
world. During the War of 1812, when the USS Constitution won three battles
against British warships, it became the nation’s most famous naval vessel. The
1797 frigate also earned its nickname during the conflict. Legend has it that a
crew member, watching shot bounce off Constitution’s thick oak hull, cried out
that its sides were made of iron. The ship has ever since been known as “Old
Ironsides.”
It has been berthed at Charlestown Navy Yard
since 1897 and has gone through several overhauls but the hull of the ship is
the original thick oak timbers from Georgia forests. One of its conversions was to a
barracks ship in the early 1900s.
USS Constitution 1906
USS Constitution today
Today active Navy
personnel are assigned to the Charlestown Navy Yard and the USS Constitution.
They provide the touring public information about the frigate and what it was
like back in the 1800’s. Check out their uniforms!
At the Bow
Crows Nest Main Mast
Ropes for one Mast
Big Guns
Sleeping
Lucky I Don't Have to Duck
The Deck
Active Navy Dude
When we finished
touring “Old Ironsides” we headed for the other part of history in this area,
Boston. The Old State House still stands
today and provides a great landmark for the city. Close to the building is the
site of the Boston Massacre, known as the Incident on King Street by the
British. On March 5, 1770 British Army soldiers killed five male civilians and
injured six others. British troops had been stationed here since 1768 in order
to protect and support crown-appointed colonial officials attempting to enforce
unpopular Parliamentary legislation. Boston was the capital of the Province of
Massachusetts Bay.
The Old State House
Where the Massacre Took Place
As you walk from
the old state house you come across the Old Granary Burial Grounds which were
founded in 1660, and is the third-oldest cemetery in Boston. It is the final
resting place for many notable Revolutionary War-era patriots, including three
signers of the Declaration of Independence, Paul Revere and the five victims of
the Boston Massacre. There are 2,345 graves but historians estimate as many as
5,000 people are buried in it as they would stack bodies in a single tomb. Yes
they were all from the same family!
Old Granary Burial Grounds
As you continue
walking you encounter the Boston Common. This park in the middle of the city
was founded in 1634 and is home to the famous swan boats. Since we had not been
here before we had to check out the boats. The pond where you find the boats is
not very large which probably makes the people who operate the boats happy
since they are powered by pedaling. A great way to stay in shape!
Boston Common
Swan Boat
The park is nice
and pays tribute to the Civil War with a nice memorial. They also included
George Washington since he led battles during the Revolutionary War. As you
walk through the grounds you do come across other forms of art. We were
intrigued by this figure standing on the edge of the grass. If you don’t watch
closely you think it is a statue, but then, maybe it isn’t. Applause is due!
Tribute to the Civil War
Remembering George Washington
Art
Real?
She is Beautiful and Talented
Now how about one
more tidbit of history from Boston? I am pretty sure you will remember the
Boston Tea Party from your history lesson. This event was a political protest
by the Sons of Liberty in Boston on December 16, 1773. An entire shipment of
tea sent by the East India Company, in defiance of the Tea Act of May 10, 1773,
was thrown into the Boston Harbor. Who knew that a harbor full of tea would
become one of the impetuses for the American Revolution!
The "Tea" Harbor
As we head back
to our truck via the trolley, we get to go by Fenway Park and the great green
wall. Picture taking was a challenge while moving so you aren’t going to get to
see the wall but at least you can tell where we were.
Red Sox at Work
A Schooner Sailing By Where We Were Parked
We thoroughly
enjoyed Boston and it is a very nice city. Check it out for yourself if you get
a chance. Stella was wonderful and we enjoyed her great cooking, Kiki, her daughter,
and Stephanos, one of her sons. Steve gave the truck and trailer a bath so we
would be ready to hit the road Tuesday. Next stop Cape Code.
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