By Rhonda Campbell
Incorporated in 1630,
Boston is a city rich with history. Not only is Boston one of the oldest cities in the
United States, it is an arts, entertainment and business hub. More than half a million people reside in the city that has long been a center of political and social change. This New England city has a variety of historical attractions that you can visit and explore.
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum is open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Three theaters, period settings and multimedia exhibits help to bring John F. Kennedy and his family's early days and later years to life. President John F. Kennedy's voice serves as a guide through many of the films that are shown at the museum. Historical archives of Kennedy's speeches and writings as well as the author Ernest Hemingway's works are stored at the museum library. You can visit the museum store and purchase presidential china, busts of Kennedy, a souvenir guidebook and texts commemorating the first moon landing.
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
Columbia Point
Boston, Massachusetts 02125
(617) 514-1600
www.jfklibrary.org
Paul Revere House
The Paul Revere House is located at 19 North Square. The tour takes you through the several rooms of the house that was built in 1680 including the kitchen, courtyard and bedroom or upstairs chamber. Paul Revere lived in the house for 30 years. Restored to its original design, self-guided tours allow you to learn about the life and times of the silversmith who rode a horse from Boston to Lexington, Massachusetts, to warn Samuel Adams and John Hancock that British soldiers were coming to arrest them. Soon the Revolutionary War broke out, but thanks to Paul Revere, America's political leaders had been warned. April 15 through Oct. 31, the house is open daily from 9:30 a.m. until 5:15 p.m. From Nov. 1 through April 14, the house closes at 4:15 p.m. It is closed Mondays in January, February and March, and on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
Paul Revere House
19 North Square
Boston, Massachusetts 02113
(617) 523-2338
www.paulreverehouse.org
Gibson House
The Gibson House was built in 1860. Home to Charles Hammond Gibson and his mother Catherine Hammond Gibson, the house was declared a national historic landmark in 2001 by the National Park Service. The house was designed by Edward Clarke Cabot. Edward also designed the Boston Athenaeum. For several years it was one of the few houses on Beacon Street. The house's original furniture and structural design remain, making it a rare architectural site. There are four levels to the house that include a kitchen, rear courtyard, pantry, library, bathroom, music, dining and laundry room. It was Charles Hammond Gibson Jr., a local writer, who preserved the Victorian-style home. The house is open for guided tours Wednesday through Sunday from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m.
Gibson House
137 Beacon St.
Boston, Massachusetts 02116
(617) 267-6338
www.thegibsonhouse.org
About the Author:
Rhonda Campbell is an entrepreneur, radio host and author. She has more than 17 years of business, human resources and project management experience and decades of book, newspaper, magazine, radio and business writing experience. Her works have appeared in leading periodicals like "Madame Noire," "Halogen TV," "The Network Journal," "Essence," "Your Church Magazine," "The Trenton Times," "Pittsburgh Quarterly" and "New Citizens Press."
