Through Waters Deep – Tour of Boston, Part 3
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 seemed a great backdrop for Through Waters Deep, set in the tumult of 1941, as isolationists and interventionists argued the correct course for the nation’s future, and as rumors of sabotage and espionage ran rampant.
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. Come along as we explore:
Boston Common and the Public Garden
Charlestown and the USS Constitution
Old State House, Faneuil Hall & Quincy Market
Today we’ll visit Boston’s North End, starting at the Paul Revere House, built in 1680, the oldest structure in downtown Boston. The famous silversmith and engraver lived here from 1770-1800, and started his famous “Midnight Ride” here on April 18, 1775. The house was restored and opened as a popular tourist site in 1908.
Paul Revere House, Boston, July 2014 (Photo: Sarah Sundin)
Front door of Paul Revere house, which served as the original tourist entrance. July 2014. (Photo: Sarah Sundin)
Paul Revere House from the rear, the current tourist entrance. July 2014. (Photo: Sarah Sundin)
A short walk along the Freedom Trail, and we reach the Paul Revere Mall, built in 1933. This pleasant park leads to the Old North Church. The iconic statue of Paul Revere on his famous ride was erected here in 1940.
Statue of Paul Revere on Paul Revere Mall in Boston, with Old North Church in the background, July 2014. (Photo: Sarah Sundin)
Statue of Paul Revere, Boston, erected 22 September 1940 (Photo: Sarah Sundin, July 2014)
Fountain in Paul Revere Mall, Boston, July 2014 (Photo: Sarah Sundin)
Christ Church, commonly called Old North Church, is Boston’s oldest standing church, built in 1723. The famous steeple and bell tower were erected in 1745, making Old North Church Boston’s tallest building until 1810, when it was surpassed by Park Street Church. Late at night on April 18, 1775, the sexton hung two lanterns in the tall steeple, warning patriots across the Charles River in Charlestown that the British soldiers were coming. In his famous poem “Paul Revere’s Ride,” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow recorded the signal, “One, if by land, and two, if by sea.”
Old North Church, Boston, 2010 (Photo: Sarah Sundin)
The interior of Old North Church in Boston, facing the front, July 2014. (Photo: Sarah Sundin)
The interior of Old North Church in Boston, facing the rear, July 2014. (Photo: Sarah Sundin)
Sources:
Freedom Trail Foundation: http://www.thefreedomtrail.org/
National Historical Park, Massachusetts: http://www.nps.gov/bost/planyourvisit/index.htm
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_Trail
The Paul Revere House: https://www.paulreverehouse.org/
Old North Church: http://oldnorth.com/
I enjoy your books very much. I look forward to this one.
Thanks, Connie!
Thanks again for the history lesson(s). You make it so interesting…and you take excellent photos!
Thanks, Sue! Not bad for an iPhone 🙂
Thanks again for giving us yet another look at the wonderful history in Boston! I would love to win and thank you for making this contest so much fun 🙂
Thank you, Betti!
[…] (US & Canada only please), and/or on any of the upcoming Tour of Boston posts (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3), which will show the sites featured in the novel. You can earn a maximum of four entries by […]
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[…] Paul Revere House and Old North Church […]
I really like your books and can’t wait to read this one!
Thanks, Ellen!
These pictures are so neat! I absolutely love the church, it’s beautiful! Thank you for another chance at your giveaway and for the wonderful pictures. 🙂
Thanks, Emily! It is a gorgeous church!
I’ve never been to Boston, thanks for the pictures and history to go with them:)
You’re welcome!
Fun pics and info
Thank you!
Thanks for the stroll through memory lane for me! Crossing my fingers to be one of the winners!!!!! Thanks for all the fabulous reads too! Your books are incredible!
Thank you, Becki!
Sarah, thank you for the virtual tour of Boston! I enjoy learning about new places.
Thank you, Caryl!
I visited Boston 4 years ago. Lots of fun to see all the places again in your pictures!
It’s a great city to visit!
WW2 books are so special. The attention you put to detail the time period and emotions of those people is perfection.
Thank you, Diane! I’m glad you enjoy the stories!
Really like your tour of Boston! Is there a part 4? as I see the contest ends tonight. I have a collector’s ceramic church of the Old North Church. It is beautiful and now you have shown me the inside of the church, Love to win and read Through Waters Deep!
There will be two more posts (Charlestown & the USS Constitution, and Charlestown Navy Yard), but the contest ends tonight.
book sounds wonderful and I love to read books like that
Thank you, Sandra!
Boston looks like such a wonderful place to visit. It’s on my bucket list. I’d also love to run the Boston Marathon too.
Love your books and hoping to win a copy!
It is a wonderful city to visit. I’ll leave the marathon to you though 🙂
Sarah,
I would love to read your latest book. It sounds like a great WW2 storyline.
Thanks, Carol
P.S. Have visiting Boston on my bucket list.
Thanks, Carol! I’m sure you’d enjoy a visit!
I always look forward to your new books!
Thanks, Jenny!
I’ve loved seeing all the photos! THANKS
Thanks, Tori!
Love your books. Can’t wait to read Through Waters Deep!
Thanks, Catherine!
I can’t wait to read this book! I got a post card in my mail today advertising your book! It’s such a beautiful cover!
It is! Revell did outstanding work.
I’ll probably never be able to visit Boston so it’s sure nice of you to give us this tour this week. I’m looking forward to reading Through Waters Deep. It’s always kind of exciting to begin a new series!
Thanks, Pam! I hope you enjoy it!
new love of boston.
It’s a wonderful place to visit!
My husband was born in Boston, someday we will get there! Thanks for the links to the various landmarks! Can’t wait to read the book!
Thanks, Diane! You should definitely go!
Love the Paul Revere history/pictures! What a fun tour of Boston you have given!
Thanks, Samantha!
I am loving this Historical tour of Boston Thanx for the giveaway!
Thank you, Jennifer!
All three parts of the tour of historic Boston has been so interesting. Thanks so much for sharing with us, Sarah!
Thanks, Sharon!
glad to get my last entry in before midnight. I’m Looking forward to this one. congrats!
Thanks, Allyson!
What exciting things to see there! I’ve never been to Boston, but I may have to go now!
I’m sure you’d like it!
Interesting…I didn’t know that was the origin of the saying “two, if by sea” Learn something new every day 🙂
Yep 🙂 I learn something new every day also – and I wouldn’t have it any other way!
Enjoyed learning more about Paul Revere and the great pictures! Thanks for the virtual tour of Boston….probably the closest I will ever get to it! 🙂
teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com
Thanks, Trixi!
Love the inside of the church! So pretty. Glad you had fun on your trip!
It is very pretty! And yes, we had a fun trip.
Another great post! I really enjoy learning about Boston’s history 🙂
Thank you!
Thanks, Samantha!
Excited for these books!!! 🙂 I would like to go Boston some day!!!
Thanks, Christin!
Commenting with four minutes to spare!! 🙂
Made it 🙂
enjoyed the history of boston didnt get this post till the 28th sorry
I’m glad you enjoyed the post anyway 🙂
[…] Paul Revere House and Old North Church […]
Ah, Boston ! I’ve never been there but have wanted to go for awhile ! It is so rich in history, which is what I love to read about ! You take excellent pictures thank you for the virtual tour !
[…] Paul Revere House and Old North Church […]