The Freedom Trail Foundation
99 Chauncy St. ~ Boston, Massachusetts 02111 ~ phone: 617.357.8300 fax: 617.357.8303 www.TheFreedomTrail.org
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Board of Directors
Chairman
Thomas A. Kershaw
Treasurer/Clerk
Richard W. Berenson
Vice-Chairmen
Cecily Foster
Mark O’Toole
Larry Zabar
Honorary Chairman
Mayor Thomas M. Menino
Rick Amirault
Terence Ankner
Reverend Stephen Ayres
Phil Budden
Julie Burns
Christopher Cook
Emily Curran
Richard J. DeAgazio
Kenneth Dec
Rick Dimino
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 12, 2014
Contact: Suzanne Taylor
(617) 357-8300 extension 206
[email protected]
February Vacation Family Fun
along the Freedom Trail®
February vacation has arrived, and the Freedom Trail® has plenty of opportunities for the whole
family to have fun and keep learning while school is out! Join in on Walk Into History Tours,
exploring historic sites of the American Revolution from Boston Common to Faneuil Hall, daily at
11:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon from the Boston Common Visitor Information Center (139 Tremont
Street).
Celebrate Black History Month on the Freedom Trail by experiencing the African-American Patriots
Tour. Offered at 12:45 p.m. from the Visitor Information Center on Saturdays and Sundays in
February, this unique tour takes visitors through historic events of the American Revolution and
highlights the many contributions of African-Americans. Captivating stories of bravery, great risk,
and defiance by black Bostonians unfold during the 90-minute walking tour, zigzagging through the
Freedom Trail and concluding at the Museum of African American History on Beacon Hill. For more
information about tours or events, please call (617) 357-8300 or visit www.thefreedomtrail.org.
Edward Feather
Peter S. Farnum
Emily Gallup Fayen
Brian LeMay
Catherine Matthews
Joseph A. Milano
Louis C. Miller, Esq.
John Nucci
Larry Post
Historic Freedom Trail sites are offering a full schedule of engaging programs throughout school
vacation week. Visit the Paul Revere House (www.paulreverehouse.org) for programs on 18th
century domestic life that will make modern chores look like a cakewalk. Taste the sweeter side of
the Revolution at the Captain Jackson’s Historic Chocolate Shop at Old North Church
(www.oldnorthchuch.com). Explore Benjamin Franklin’s career in the arts and sciences at Old
South Meeting House (www.osmh.org). When in revolutionary-era Boston, stir up some revolution
at the Old State House (www.bostonhistory.org) by portraying Revolutionary Characters™ intent
on overthrowing the British Empire. For the more building-oriented children, don't miss USS
Constitution Museum's (www.ussconstitutionmuseum.org) daily programs on the construction
secrets of "Old Ironsides."
Paul Sacco
Terry Savage
The following is a list of exciting February school vacation week activities along the Trail:
Nina Zannieri
Mimi La Camera
President
Emeritus
Alden I. Gifford, Jr
J. Louis Newell
History Advisory Committee
Robert Allison, Ph.D.
Suffolk University
Marty Blatt
National Park Service
Dennis Fiori
MA Historical Society
William M. Fowler, Ph.D.
Northeastern University
Paul Revere House
Wednesday, February 19 and Friday, February 21 – 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon
Fun and Games in the 1700s
For middling sorts of families, like the Reveres, it did not matter that colonial Boston contained few
toy stores, for they could rarely afford such luxuries. Instead, children ingeniously turned to
common household items for toys, games, and entertainment. Discover many adaptive uses for
objects found in both historic and modern homes as you play games known and loved by
generations of children. During a tour of the Revere House, children (and adults) search for beans, a
thimble, straw, pieces of cloth and then try their hands at Snail, Jackstraws, Beast-Fish-Fowl, and
other popular colonial amusements. Participants will leave with directions for playing these and
other games at home. Each presentation is limited to 20 people. Reservations are required, please
call 617-523-2338. Fee: $4.50 for children ages 5-10 and accompanying adults. Price includes
admission. For additional information, please visit www.paulreverehouse.org.
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Page 2, February Vacation Family Fun on the Freedom Trail® continued,
Old North Church
Monday, February 17 – Friday, February 21 – 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Captain Jackson’s Historic Chocolate Shop
Founded in 1722, Old North Church is Boston’s oldest surviving church building and site where the “one if by land,
two if by sea” lanterns hung. Visit the church, enjoy a Behind the Scenes Tour, and experience the new living history
chocolate shop. Touch, taste, and smell 18th century chocolate as it was enjoyed by some of Boston’s most famous
Revolutionary-era patriots. Costumed interpreters discuss the way colonial Americans prepared and consumed
chocolate. Discover where chocolate comes from and how it is made. After you have learned all there is to know
about chocolate, enjoy a free taste of the delicious drink enjoyed by John and Abigail Adams. For additional
information, please call (617) 523-6676 or visit www.oldnorth.com.
Old South Meeting House
Monday, February 17 – Friday, February 21 – 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Anna Green Winslow & Daily Life in Colonial Boston at the Meeting House
In 1771 Anna Green Winslow, age 12, began a diary of her life in Boston. This week, children of all ages can learn
about everyday life in colonial Boston through hands-on activities—from playing a board game to making outfits
with replica colonial clothing. Bring the family to explore and learn about some of the common objects that Anna,
Phillis Wheatley, Benjamin Franklin, and other members of the Meeting House may have encountered on a winter
day in 18th century Boston! All activities are included with Museum Admission; FREE for Boston residents aged 18
and under and accompanying adult. GROUPS OF 6 OR MORE, please contact the Education Department at least 1-2
days in advance of your visit: email [email protected], or call (617) 482-6439. For additional information, please
visit www.osmh.org.
Thursday, February 20 – 12:15 p.m.
Petticoats at the Revolution: Special Event Co-Sponsored by Paul Revere House
Join us to hear a remarkable story of tea and revolution from the woman who rode through life with Paul Revere.
Actor and storyteller Joan Gatturna as Rachel Revere tells of the Boston Tea Party, the Midnight Ride, and the Siege
of Boston through the eyes of a woman who kept the home fires burning while her husband fanned the flames of
rebellion. The character of Rachel Revere was developed with assistance from the staff of the Paul Revere House.
Included with admission: $6.00 for adults, $5.00 for seniors & college students, $1.00 for children (6-18); free for Old
South Meeting House and Paul Revere House members. For additional information, please call (617) 482-6439 or
visit www.osmh.org.
Old State House
Monday, February 17 – Friday, February 21 – 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Experience RevolutionaryBoston® at the Old State House!
Visit the Old State House and partake in the Museum’s all-new interactive scavenger hunt. Other programs
throughout the week include 18th century-style portrait-making (Monday & Thursday), quill writing (Tuesday),
creating your own Coat of Arms (Wednesday), and a performance of Experience Revolutionary Characters Live!:
a live-action performance depicting life in Boston in the days leading up to the American Revolution. These
experiences are included with your own Revolutionary Character™ admission card to the Old State House. For
additional information, please call (617) 720-1713 or visit www.revolutionaryboston.org.
USS Constitution Museum
Saturday, February 15 – Sunday, February 23 – 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Setting Sail: February School Vacation Week
Before a ship’s crew can even set sail, there is work to be done! It took three years to construct America’s oldest
surviving naval ship. During February school vacation week find out what it took to build and maintain a ship like the
Constitution, from the live oak in her hull to the caulking that keeps her afloat. While at the Museum, don't forget to
visit our theater to see our Best of the Best Ship Model Show. Explore over 100 handcrafted ship models, including
the prize-winning models of the past decade! After talking with and seeing the modelers in action, try your hand at
building your own boat at our craft station. For additional information, please call (617) 426-1812 or visit
www.ussconstitutionmuseum.org.
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About the Freedom Trail® Foundation
The Freedom Trail® Foundation is dedicated to marketing, promoting, and helping to preserve the Freedom Trail through
varied tourist services and activities, educational programs, and marketing and public relations efforts. Marked by a red
brick or painted line, Boston’s 2.5 mile Freedom Trail connects 16 of the country’s most significant historical landmarks
weaving its way through Boston’s proud past in the midst of this vital, modern city. The Freedom Trail Foundation
Preservation Fund supports preservation, rehabilitation, and capital projects for official Freedom Trail sites which help
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avoid, minimize, or mitigate adverse effects of the elements and manmade wear and tear of Boston’s precious 17 , 18 ,
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and 19 century sites. For Freedom Trail Foundation information, please call 617.357.8300 or visit
www.TheFreedomTrail.org.