The starting point of the Freedom Trail, Boston Common is the oldest park in the country. The park is almost 50 acres in size. Today, Boston Common is the anchor for the Emerald Necklace, a system of connected parks that winds through many of Boston's neighborhoods. The "Common" has been used for many different purposes throughout its long history. Until 1830, cattle grazed the Common, and until 1817, public hangings took place here. British troops camped on Boston Common prior to the Revolution and left from here to face colonial resistance at Lexington and Concord in April, 1775. Celebrities, including Martin Luther King Jr., Pope John Paul II, and Gloria Steinem (advocate of the feminist revolution), have given speeches at the Common.
| Site Information | |
| Location | Bound By Tremont, Beacon, Charles, Park & Boylston Streets |
| Hours | All Day, 365 days a year |
| Tours | Self-Guided; or provided by the Freedom Trail Foundation |
| Admission | FREE |
| Notes | More Information via the Freedom Trail Foundation |
| Attribution | Content provided by the Freedom Trail Foundation |
Video & Multimedia
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New Freedom Trail Map Unveiled
The new map is attached to the Citizens Bank on Cross Street between Hanover and Salem Streets in the North End.
Exploring the Freedom Trail
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Episode 1
Boston Common, the Massachusetts State House, the Park Street Church and the Granary Burial Ground.
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Episode 2
King's Chapel, The King's Chapel Burial Ground, the Benjamin Franklin Statue, the Boston Latin School and The Old Corner Bookstore.
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Episode 3
The Old State House, the site of the Boston Massacre, and Faneuil Hall.
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Episode 4
Paul Revere's House, The Old North Church, Copp's Hill Burial Ground, the USS Constitution, and the Bunker Hill Monument.
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