One if by land, and two if by sea;
And I on the opposite shore will be,
Ready to ride and spread the alarm
Through every Middlesex village and farm

Those words, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, have been memorized by countless people learning about the revolutionary era of the United States. The poem refers to hanging a lantern (or lanterns) in the belfry of the Old North Church is Boston as a signal that the British were coming, and that Paul Revere was to alert the neighboring villages.

The Old North Church still stands in Boston today, and is the city’s oldest surviving church structure, as well as a National Historic Landmark. It’s 191 foot tall steeple makes it the tallest steeple in the city, and a recognizable part of the Boston skyline (in center of photo above). The church is on the city’s Freedom Trail, a two and a half mile red-brick walking trail that leads you to 16 historic sites.

The church is more properly known as Christ Church in the City of Boston, and is associated with the Episcopalian Church. It is an active church, and services have been held there regularly since it was built in 1723, save for a brief closure during the American Revolution.

You can tour the Old North Church at its location at 193 Salem Street. It is open daily, 9 am – 6 pm (summer hours), and although there is no admission charge, voluntary donations are welcome. I took time for a walk through when I was in Boston a few days ago, and found that it filled me with a tremendous sense of history. It’s said that the box pews, the brass chandeliers, and the first clock are all original — that’s over 250 years ago!

Sunday services are held at 9 am and 11 am, and visitors are welcome to attend.

Photo credit: wikimedia (skyline) and flickr (church steeple)

Post from: The Boston Traveler

As a result of the lost gas service, local residents and commercial businesses were forced to make do without such necessities as gas-generated hot water and cooking. Many restaurants were forced to shut down all together, unable to carry on under such circumstances.

That’s the bad news.

The good news is that a little less than a week later, the situation is improving for those who live and work in the area, with gas service either partially or fully restored for many. If you’re traveling to Boston, or already reside here, and have plans to visit the Financial District in the near future, a new website is now live to keep everyone informed with up-to-date information about the status of local establishments.

So, remember: Before you go, check FIDOBoston (Financial District Open for Business). It’s probably also a good idea to call the relevant business(es) directly, as well, just to make sure you don’t waste a trip.

Post from: The Boston Traveler