Before starting to Massachusetts, we visited Mom's aunt's lake home in New York. It was wonderful to visit it after hearing all of Mom's childhood memories from going there every summer when she was younger. The drive from Connecticut to Massachusetts through small quaint towns was beautiful and we really enjoyed it. When we arrived around noon in Waban, a small town near Boston, our Uncle Buzz gave us a tour of the area, which is also where Mom's Mother grew up. It was a blessing to see the home my Grandma lived in and the schools she attended. We were able to see where my Great-Grandfather went to church, the same church my Uncle Buzz and Aunt Barb were married.
Dinner with Uncle Buzz and Aunt Barb the first night we arrived.
The next day, we got up rather early and headed to Plymouth, Massachusetts.
We were able to see how the Native Americans lived in the 1600s. There were several Native Americans walking around and talking about the different sites.
They would actually put the children on this structure while they were working so that the children were occupied and safe!
A dugout canoe
The craft center.
Pottery that the Pilgrims would've used.
An Indian headdress.
Pottery from the 1600s.
A small replica of a clay oven.
Bobbin Lace
Heading down to the little town which replicated the first place the pilgrims lived.
(Plimoth Plantation is actually not where the pilgrims first landed.)
A fort replica
The town view from the top of the fort.
We are direct descendants of John & Priscilla Alden, so it was amazing to see a replica of their house.
We were constantly reminded of the Pilgrims' extreme faith and trust in God due to how they lived in this vast wilderness depending on God for their survival.
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Stone ovens
The fields where the pilgrims grew crops.
The wildlife is abundant in Massachusetts.
There were so many flowers still in bloom even though it was October.
The Nye Barn had animals that would've come over from England later.
The Mayflower Museum.
The Mooflower!
A pilgrim wandering around the bookstore!
After visiting Plimoth Plantation, we went to the Plimoth Grist Mill, which is where the pilgrims milled their grain.
In the stream near the Grist Mill there were many swans and ducks.
The grinding stones used to mill grains.
The gears inside of the wheel.
Next, we walked down to the waterfront where the Pilgrims landed and Plymouth Rock remains.
It was so exciting to finally see Plymouth Rock after years of planning this trip to learn about our nation's Christian history and our family's Christian history.
Massasoit, the Native American Chief who helped the Pilgrims.
The following morning, Wednesday, we got up very early and headed to Boston to walk the Freedom Trail. This trail leads to most of the very historical sites in Boston.
The Massachusetts State House, which we were allowed to tour.
Inside the State House...
Here is Benjamin as the governor "addressing the crowd"!!
The great hall
The room where the Massachusetts congress meets.
There were several old graveyards with very famous people buried in them throughout Boston.
Benjamin Franklin
The Old State House.
Site of the Boston Massacre
Full view of the Old State House
A miniature arrangement of Paul Revere working as a Silver Smith with his sons.
Paul Revere's house
Paul Revere
The church where the lantern was hung for Paul Revere to start his famous ride.
One of the Freedom Trail stops took us to the USS Constitution and museum.
The shipyard that the USS Constitution was built.
The USS Constitution
Sleeping quarters for the sailors
Lieutenant living quarters.
USS Constitution Museum
Bunker Hill Monument (site of the Bunker Hill Battle).
Boston at night.
Dinner at an Italian Restaurant (we were very hungry)!
Traveling home on the Train.
The following morning, Thursday, we were in Lexington at the Hancock-Clarke house. Then we headed over to Concord. We were able to visit a lot of the battle sites in that area, as well.
Old pottery found around the house used by its former inhabitants.
Mom with her sister, aunt, and cousin.
A group shot!
The Minute Man Monument.
Battle Greene (Battle of Lexington).
It was sobering to walk around the battlefield where the war began, remembering all that these men did for our country. On houses close by, which have stood since this very battle occurred, had plaques hung near their doors.
Below is one of them:
Lexington is filled with historical places, such as Buckman Tavern and Munroe Tavern (shown here).
More flowers still in bloom!
Next, we headed over to North Bridge in Concord, another battle site.
We loved seeing all the chipmunks!
Old North Bridge
A statue in memory of the men who fought for our country's freedom, who loved liberty more than life, and had a vision for future generations.
This is the hill where the Minute Men would train for battle.
This is Ralph Waldo Emerson's Grandfather's house, who watched the battle at Old North Bridge from his window.
The beautiful sunset as we walked back to our car.
(One more post will conclude our trip!)
"The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD."
(Lamentations 3:25-26)
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