Pirates and patriots alike were a part of Boston’s waterfront and the creation of our great city and country as we know it today. Boston’s Freedom Trail® is bringing their stories alive by providing affordable and educational fun to visitors and residents. Boston’s “must-see” history this year is enhanced with a NEW walking tour of Boston harbor, rebellious deeds of colonial agitators, global trade, embargoes, hijackings, and pirate pranks. Sound familiar? The Freedom Trail Foundation’s Pirates & Patriots 90-minute walking tour, with an 18th century costumed guide, launches on June 1 and is offered daily at 12:30 p.m. from the ArtsBoston booth at Faneuil Hall Marketplace.
Landlubbers and jack tars, pirates and privateers, Tories and revolutionaries, impressed sailors and smugglers all occupied America’s largest port city plying their trade – legal and illegal – as Boston struggled with independence. Hear fabulous stories along the Freedom Trail of Boston’s 18th century harbor about the men and women who lived and worked here and the actions they took to separate from the most powerful country in the world. Learn the importance of their acts and contributions to Boston’s preeminent position pre and post Revolution.
“Boston’s waterfront is so lively now and this tour offers everyone a great opportunity to take in our water-based history of the American Revolution,” says Suzanne Taylor, executive director of the Freedom Trail Foundation. “The stories of privateers, legitimate ship owners, and captains with the King’s letter of marquee, who plied their trade out of Boston’s deep harbor are fascinating. Without the King’s approval, these same men and others, at times, ‘turned to the dark side’ plundering inbound and outbound ships smuggling cargo, which played a significant role in Boston’s economy and strained relationships with Britain even further.”
Blimey, tour-goers can turn into an Old Salt, when taking the tour which winds through the back streets and alleys of Boston’s waterfront and ends at the Congress Street bridge (Museum Wharf). The route of the tour will trace the evolution of the ever changing Boston harbor line, from the site of Town Cove – where ships where first docked (the present day site of Faneuil Hall) to Long Wharf – where pirates were brought in to face justice, to Griffin’s Wharf – the site where the tea was dumped one fateful night by the “Sam Adams Mohawks.” This new and exciting tour will delight historians young and old connecting Boston’s most famous events with old stories rarely told.
The Pirates & Patriots Tour, with 18th century costumed guides, are $13 for adults, $11 for seniors/students, and $7 for children. Tickets may be purchased by calling 617.357.8300, at the Visitor Information Center on Boston Common or at the ArtsBoston booth at Faneuil Hall, or via TheFreedomTrail.org to receive a 10% discount.
All Freedom Trail Foundation tour tickets include a $1.00 donation to the Freedom Trail Foundation Preservation Fund. Regular maintenance of 18th century historic buildings is critical, for these sites are not immune to the New England climate, wear and tear of daily use and the ravages of time. The 16 Freedom Trail sites have current preservation needs estimated at over $58 million. This year, the Freedom Trail Foundation made its first Preservation Fund grant of $100,000 to assist the City of Boston Parks and Recreation Department with capital expenses at the Granary Burying Ground.
For more Freedom Trail information and to buy tickets, interesting books, a downloadable audio tour, or other items, and learn about special Freedom Trail hotel packages, please call 617.357.8300 or visit TheFreedomTrail.org.
###
