Boston National Historical Park • Massachusetts

A desk with paper and two sets of quills frame a person in colonial wear standing in the aisle.

Rainbow over Faneuil Hall

View of the Navy Yard from the harbor showing the USS Constution, USS Cassin Young and Bunker Hill

A tall white obelisk stands amongst leafy trees. Two colonial American flags hang from its windows

A white granite building next to the Bunker Hill Monument

A four-story rectangular meeting house with arched windows and a cupola.

Three double brick lines in the ground meet at a medallion for the Freedom Trail.

Statue of Paul Revere on horseback, with the white steeple of Old North in the background

A white marble steeple-looking tower stands amongst trees in a community park.

A three-masted ship sits in still water as the sun sets over Boston Harbor.

A gray naval destroyer sits next to a dock. It has "793" on the side and colorful signal flags.

Looking up at a brick meeting house with a tall white steeple.

Explore Boston's revolutionary past as the "Cradle of Liberty." Discover how this city birthed the American Revolution and stood at the forefront of later social, political, and environmental revolutions. Boston National Historical Park is a unique collaboration of federally, municipally, and privately owned and operated historic sites associated with the colonial struggle for independence and the birth and growth of the nation.

During the summer, the park hosts Town Meeting programs in Faneuil Hall. These interactive programs allow visitors to participate in lively debate on a topic once debated in the Great Hall.
NPS Photo

Rare image of rainbow was captured over Faneuil Hall
Boston National Historical Park

Established as one of the country's first naval shipyards, the Charlestown Navy Yard witnessed 174 years of shipbuilding. Today, it is home to USS CONSTITUTION and USS CASSIN YOUNG (DD-793).
NPS Photo

The Bunker Hill Monument with a flag display for the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill.
NPS Photo

Opened in 1902, the Bunker Hill Lodge has served as a gateway to the Bunker Hill Monument.
Arlan Fonseca

As the historic town meeting space, Faneuil Hall has been home to celebrations and commemorations, as well as debates and protests.
Arlan Fonseca

2.5 miles in length, the Freedom Trail weaves through downtown Boston and Charlestown, highlighting significant historical landmarks.
Arlan Fonseca.

Learn about Paul Revere's midnight ride with historic sites in the North End of Boston.
Arlan Fonseca

Dedicated on March 17, 1902, this Georgian Revival Style tower commemorates the fortification of Dorchester Heights during the Revolutionary War, which led to the British evacuation of the city.
NPS Photo / P. Boyce

America's "Ship of State," USS CONSTITUTION, calls the Charlestown Navy Yard its home.
NPS Photo

USS CASSIN YOUNG (DD-793) served during World War II and the Cold War. Today, it lives at the Charlestown Navy Yard as a museum ship.
Matt Teuten

The Old South Meeting House is home to the famous debates that lead to the destruction of the tea in 1773. Today, Revolutionary Spaces stewards this site and the Old State House down the street.
Arlan Fonseca

A view of Boston's skyline at daytime. White steeple of Old North in Center.

Plan Your Visit

Plan your visit to Boston, a city with over three centuries of revolution.

A circular bronze plaque reading "The Freedom Trail" points visitors to the red lined path.

Freedom Trail Audio Tour

Listen to stories of the Freedom Trail, whether in Downtown Boston or at home! Available in Spanish and French too!

black heritage trail sign attached to lightpost

Black Heritage Trail Tour

Discover the north slope of Beacon Hill and Boston's abolition history with the Black Heritage Trail.

A ranger giving a talk to a group of visitors in a small plaza in front of Paul Revere's House.

Explore all the things to do in Boston, from visiting historic sites and museums to joining guided tours and programs.

Map of Boston and its harbor. Areas highlighted in red (British), blue (Am), and purple (contested)

The Siege of Boston

Learn about the Siege of Boston (1775-1776), one of the first major campaigns in the American War for Independence.

USS Cassin Young in Dry Dock 1

USS CASSIN YOUNG

From 1943-1960, CASSIN YOUNG served the United States during both war and peace. She survived two Kamikaze attacks and sailed the globe.

Last updated: July 16, 2026

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

Boston National Historical Park
21 Second Ave
Charlestown, MA 02129

Phone:

617 242-5601

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