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Anchor in the Storm – Tour of Boston, Old State House Area

Tour of Boston Old StateAnchor in the Storm is coming soon! The second book in the Waves of Freedom series officially releases on May 3, 2016, but it’s already available at many locations.

The city of Boston is fascinating—chockfull of history and color. While best known for its key role in the American Revolution, the city also played a role in World War II, with busy shipyards and naval bases—and more! The city’s reputation for revolutionary foment and its naval heritage set a great backdrop for Anchor in the Storm, set in the tumult of 1942, as the nation reeled from the news of Pearl Harbor—and from the U-boat war raging off the East Coast.

I’ve been blessed to visit Boston a number of times. In July 2014, I made a research trip and took lots of pictures to help me visualize the story. We’ll follow the Freedom Trail, established in the 1950s to connect Boston’s multiple historical sites.

Old State House

Built in 1713, the Old State House served as the seat of Massachusetts’s colonial government, and was the tallest building in Boston until Old North Church erected its steeple and bell tower in 1745. In 1768 at the Old State House, the House of Representatives called on the colonists to resist British taxation. In 1776, the Declaration of Independence was first read to Bostonians from the balcony of the building, which then became the seat of the new government of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

In 1798, the current State House was completed. The Old State House was used for various purposes and served as City Hall from 1830-41. In 1904, a subway station was built in the basement and operates to this day.

Old State House, Boston, MA. (Photo: Sarah Sundin, July 2014)

Old State House, Boston, MA. (Photo: Sarah Sundin, July 2014)

Boston Massacre Site

Right in front of the Old State House is the site of the Boston Massacre. On March 5, 1770, a clash between a British guard and a Bostonian escalated. Soon a mob of colonists threw snowballs and rocks at the soldiers…and then the Redcoats opened fire. Five colonists died from their wounds, including fugitive slave Crispus Attucks. The Sons of Liberty, including Paul Revere and Samuel Adams, used the incident to bolster their case for revolution.

Site of the Boston Massacre, Boston, MA (Photo: Sarah Sundin, July 2014)

Site of the Boston Massacre, Boston, MA (Photo: Sarah Sundin, July 2014)

Faneuil Hall

Turning north on Congress Street, you’ll see Faneuil Hall. Built as a center for commerce in 1742, it also served as the site for the first town meeting in America. To this day, markets fill the first floor, while a meeting hall occupies the second floor. In this meeting hall, the Sons of Liberty protested Royal actions, such as the Sugar Act, the Stamp Act, the Tea Act, and the occupation of the city by British soldiers.

Faneuil Hall, Boston, MA (Photo: Sarah Sundin, July 2014)

Faneuil Hall, Boston, MA (Photo: Sarah Sundin, July 2014)

Quincy Market

In 1824-26, Quincy Market was built next to Faneuil Hall to extend the marketspace. Today both buildings have an eclectic mix of food and products appealing both to locals and tourists.

Quincy Market, Boston, MA (Photo: Sarah Sundin, July 2014)

Quincy Market, Boston, MA (Photo: Sarah Sundin, July 2014)

Durgin-Park Restaurant

In 1742, a restaurant was started in a warehouse next to Faneuil Hall. Very popular, it was purchased in 1827 by John Durgin and Eldridge Park, who established Durgin-Park Restaurant. A Boston favorite for almost three hundred years, the restaurant is famous for its long tables designed to be shared, by excellent New England fare…and for the temperament of its wait staff. Traditionally, the waitresses were “surly,” even rude, but according to the restaurant’s website, the current owners have “toned down the waitresses to sassy.” When we visited, we found the service quite pleasant—and the baked beans, pot pie, and Boston Cream Pie?—heavenly.

NOTE: If you’d like to see my recipe for Boston Cream Pie – and a fun video – come to Marci Seither’s blog (yes, my apron-making author buddy. I told you she was talented).

My son, Matthew Sundin, enjoying Boston Cream Pie at Durgin-Park Restaurant, Boston, MA (Photo: Sarah Sundin, July 2014)

My son, Matthew Sundin, enjoying Boston Cream Pie at Durgin-Park Restaurant, Boston, MA (Photo: Sarah Sundin, July 2014)

Custom House

Just a block south of Quincy Market stands the Custom House. Boston has had a custom house on the waterfront since colonial times. The current building was completed in 1949, and in 1915 the tower was built. Boston’s first skyscraper, the Custom House was the tallest building in the city until 1964. The customs office moved out in 1987, and since 1997 the building has housed a time-share resort.

Custom House, Boston, MA (Photo: Sarah Sundin, July 2014)

Custom House, Boston, MA (Photo: Sarah Sundin, July 2014)

I hope you enjoyed your tour!

Sources:

Freedom Trail Foundation: http://www.thefreedomtrail.org/

National Historical Park, Massachusetts: http://www.nps.gov/bost/planyourvisit/index.htm

Old State House: http://www.revolutionaryboston.org/

Durgin-Park Restaurant: http://arkrestaurants.com/durgin_park/

51 responses to “Anchor in the Storm – Tour of Boston, Old State House Area”

  1. Faith Potts says:

    What a great giveaway idea. 🙂

  2. Hannah Corner says:

    Thank you for the giveaway opportunity! I have enjoyed the tour of Boston!

  3. Rachel Dixon says:

    My in laws went to Boston last year. It was so gun looking at their pictures And recognizing sites from Through Waters Deep. I was very jealous haha! Thank you for doing a giveaway!

  4. […] is the lovely apron model! To enter, leave a comment below (US & Canada only please), and/or on tomorrow’s Tour of Boston post, where we’ll visit the Old State House, Faneuil Hall, and more. You can earn a maximum of two […]

  5. […] Old State House, Faneuil Hall & Quincy Market […]

  6. […] Old State House, Faneuil Hall & Quincy Market […]

  7. Connie Brown says:

    I have always wanted to go to Boston and see the sites where Liberty was fostered. I also like your books and look forward to this new one.

  8. […] Old State House, Faneuil Hall & Quincy Market […]

  9. […] Old State House, Faneuil Hall & Quincy Market […]

  10. […] Old State House, Faneuil Hall & Quincy Market […]

  11. I think it’s time to plan a vacation to Boston. I’ve visited the sites of my favorite authors in Concord and Salem but haven’t made it to Boston proper. You are whetting my appetite!

  12. Wanda Gerke says:

    So much history in Boston. Can’t wait for a new adventure.

  13. Rachel says:

    I love these pics! I always wanted to go to Boston in the fall (doesn’t everybody 🙂 ) and I have a sweet spot in my heart for Boston cream pie <3

  14. Sue says:

    It is wonderful that these historic buildings are so well-maintained and still being used. Faneuil Hall is beautiful. The Boston Creme Pie looks yummy; I hope the “sassy” waitresses don’t throw it!

  15. Dani M. says:

    When we were in Boston, we were told of a little Italian pastry shop that sold ‘the best canolis ever’. But… it was tucked back in one of those tiny streets behind North Church. Oh, my, we went around and around to find it, and then we couldn’t park, so we dropped off my mom and drove around the loop twice more. But we got our canolis!

  16. Thanks for the ‘tour’ of Boston! I learned a lot!

  17. Violetta Davis says:

    Would love to see Boston. Enjoyed the tour. I can’t wait to read the book.

  18. WendyBrz says:

    Well, this is a wonderful guide for any of us who’d like to visit Boston – thank you! And thanks for the chance to enter the giveaway!

  19. Cathy Hansen says:

    Anxious to read your new book. Will be fun to learn about Boston through your book.

  20. Tori says:

    I am loving the apron! I’ve never been to Boston, but grew up loving the New Kids on the Block. 😉

  21. Deana Dick says:

    Very excited to read the new book. Thank you for the chance .

  22. Sylvia M. says:

    I would love to go back to Boston. My family went on a vacation to several New England states when I was about eleven. I don’t remember it very vividly, so would love to go back as an adult. The Old State Building is beautiful! That clock and balcony are exquisite. I can just see the mayor or some important, visiting guest waving to the townspeople from that balcony. Historic sites, buildings, and houses are some of my favorite places to visit.

    It is a major fete, in this day, to be able to keep a business open as long as that restaurant. I always find it a pleasure to go to historic eateries and know that these floors once held the feet of previous generations. What the walls have heard must be intriguing.

    nina4sm/at/gmail/dot/com

  23. Emily S. says:

    I think I’d probably need to spend about a month in Boston to see all the things I want to see! I’ve only ever been through the airport, but it’s high on my list of vacation wants.

    Thanks for the giveaway!

  24. Lindsay says:

    This is a great giveaway! Even cooler that another author made the apron. 🙂 I’ll have to check out her books!

  25. Debora Wilder says:

    I love the pictures you shared and the information about all of these buildings. Thanks for the chance to win this darling apron.

  26. Joan Arning says:

    great boston tour!

  27. Betti says:

    Thanks again for this giveaway. I would love to win. 🙂 The tidbits from your tour of Boston are wonderful – thanks so much. I do believe I need to go try th Boston Cream pie!

  28. Sandra says:

    I loved the tour of Boston. I have never been to Boston. I had saved your emails about all of the Boston info and than revisited them when I read Through Waters Deep. The Boston info made the book so much more meaningful. Thanks again for the giveaway.

  29. Julie Jobe says:

    Wow! That Boston Cream Pie looks amazing!

  30. Connie Hendryx says:

    I would love to visit there! Thanks for the giveaway!

  31. Arletta says:

    Would love to explore Boston. Have driven through years ago but that doesn’t count.

  32. Colleen says:

    Wow! I would love to get to see some of those places in Boston!

  33. Ellen Gray says:

    Ah, the pictures make me want to read the book and go to Boston – or maybe read the book in Boston!

  34. Pam K. says:

    I’m glad you persevered in your quest for publication of your World War II novels. I’ve read so many great books in this genre. I’m thankful the publishers changed their minds and realized there are readers who love to read about this time period. I think it’s important to learn from history, to hopefully not make the same mistakes. Thanks for the giveaway and your great books.

  35. Susan M. says:

    Boston is so rich in history! Thanks for the mini-tour!

  36. Trixi says:

    Wow….what a rich history!! I mean I knew Boston had one, but your post really brought it to life for me. Makes me want to visit someday, especially with that yummy looking cream pie!! 🙂 I bet your son devoured it in two seconds…Haha!!

    Thanks also for the chance to win a copy of “Anchor in the Storm”

  37. Nellie says:

    Thank you for the tour! Perhaps I can visit soon…looking forward to reading your new book!

  38. Lacey says:

    I love historical sites and imagining what took place in them. Looks like a fun place to visit!

  39. Deanne Patterson says:

    I love historical sites and have wanted to go to Boston for a long time. So much rich history. I love your pictures. Thank you for sharing.

  40. Raechel L. says:

    These type of posts are so fun – the tours really add depth to the book!
    And I love that apron!

  41. Debbie Troxell says:

    I am looking forward to reading your new book!

  42. Laura Witty says:

    I loved reading about the history of Boston great historical facts makes me want to see Boston for myself. I also love reading you books and looking forward to reading your next book.

  43. Tisha says:

    Sarah,

    Love, love the historical information! Thank you for giving us a snapshot into your books through this research. Can’t wait to read your book!

  44. Rose Blackard says:

    Great books, can not wait to read your new one!

  45. Carolyn Robinson says:

    Wonderful pictures & great tour! Absolutely love Waves of Freedom books…finished reading “Anchor in the Storm” on my kindle within the first 48 hours. Excellent!!

  46. Andrea Cox says:

    Lovely tour! Thanks, Sarah!

    Blessings,
    Andrea Cox
    [email protected]

  47. Danielle Diez says:

    JUST finished “Through Waters Deep” and LOVED it! Can’t wait to read “Anchor in the Storm”! I have a feeling that Arch and Lillian will be a fun and humorous couple. 😉

    (If you’d like to read my review, I’m attaching the link 🙂
    https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1272757995?book_show_action=false)

  48. Danielle Diez says:

    Oops, not sure if you need my e-mail or not! [email protected] 🙂

  49. Connie Lee says:

    I’ve never been to Boston, I love all the great old buildings though. Thank you for the giveaway, I would love to win the books or pretty apron.

  50. […] you also to everyone who joined my Tour of Boston to celebrate the upcoming release of Anchor in the Storm showing pictures from my research trip to […]

  51. Aerykah says:

    Wow, this was fun! I’ve always enjoyed visiting historic towns and buildings and this just made me want to move Boston up on my “to visit” list. 😉

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