Boston is old. How old exactly? The Town of Boston was formed in 1630. Perhaps it shouldn’t come as a surprise then that Boston and the surrounding communities are the home of many of the country’s “firsts” and “oldests.” In this post, let’s focus on some of these things you can actually visit while in Boston.
First and Oldest Public Park
Boston Common, established in 1634, is the oldest public park in the country per nps.gov. The park has seen a lot of history in its days. It served as the British encampment during their occupation of the city after the events of Lexington and Concord. It also served as the place for public hangings and whippings.
Today, Boston Common serves as the starting point of Freedom Trail. It’s a lively area with a myriad of activities. And the children’s playground? That is allegedly the location of the old hanging tree.
First and Oldest Public School
The city also boasts the first and oldest public school in the country. Boston Latin School was founded in 1635 by the Town of Boston per nationalgeographic.com. This boys-only secondary school was meant solely as a college preparatory school. Its famous attendees include Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and Benjamin Franklin, though Franklin dropped out.
The school is still in operation, though it has changed considerably and is no longer at its original location. A plaque on School Street marks the original site and is a stop on the Freedom Trail.
First and Oldest University
The undisputed oldest university in the country is Harvard, established by the Great and General Court of the Governor and Company of the Massachusetts Bay in New England in 1636 per harvard.edu. John Harvard, an early benefactor, is not the founder as many believe.
The college is located across the Charles River from Boston in Cambridge. Take a student-led tour to get a unique perspective of the campus.
First and Oldest Public Library
This one is not as straightforward as some things on this list. Searching the internet for “first public library in America” results in several libraries laying this claim. However, I am going to go with the Town of Franklin Official Site’s account.
Franklin Public Library in Franklin, MA was established in 1790. Benjamin Franklin gifted the community books in appreciation for renaming their town from Exeter in his honor. Franklin is about 45 miles from Boston, but is a MBTA train stop and therefore easy to get to.
Oldest Commissioned Naval Warship
The USS Constitution, or Old Ironsides, was commissioned in 1797 and is definitely the oldest commissioned naval warship in the US Navy (nps.gov). The Department of Defense’s Official Site claims it is the oldest in the world. However, my research finds that honor belongs to the HMS Victory. If someone from the DOD Is reading this, please set me right if I’m missing something!
The USS Constitution is usually at her dock in the Charlestown Navy Yard. She is an absolute beauty and a must visit in Boston. And walking her decks is completely free!
Oldest Continuously-Operating Restaurant
Ye Olde Union Oyster House has been serving its wares since 1826, making it the oldest continuously-operating restaurant in the country per tastingtable.com. The structure itself dates to at least 1742 and has roots in the American Revolution.
Located on Union Street and a block away from Faneuil Hall, Union Oyster House is your place to fill your belly and take in some history.
Oldest Continuously-Operating Hotel
For this, we are going with the info from Historic Hotels of America. Omni Parker House has been continuously operating since 1855, longer than any other hotel in America. It is perhaps most famous for being the location where Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote his famous poem Paul Revere’s Ride.
It is not an official trail site, but the Omni Parker House is situated along the trail on School Street, across from the Boston Latin School original site plaque.
First and Oldest Subway
The New York subway might be the most famous in the nation, but it isn’t the oldest. That honor goes to Boston per census.gov. The underground Tremont Street Line opened in 1897 and is still in operation today.
The guide on the Freedom Trail tour tells a funny story. Boston planners focused on beating New York to become the nation’s first subway. Unaware of this race, New York planners focused on quality. So now, Boston still has to shut down the subway every night for repairs while New York runs 24 hours a day!
Oldest Major League Baseball Park
Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox, opened in 1912 making it the oldest MLB stadium per mlb.com. Along with Wrigley Field in Chicago, opened in 1914, these parks are what remain of a bygone era in American sports (the next oldest MLB stadium is Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles built in 1962).
Get to a game to take in the “Green Monster” and sit in the same stands fans did while watching baseball giants such as Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, and Carl Yastrzemski.
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Alright, that’s all for this post. Boston has lots of old stuff, eh? We’ve got lots more Boston stuff coming up. Check out all the Boston posts here. Until then,
