National Historic Sites - Massachusetts

Boston African American National Historic Site

9/4/1999 ... parked on Cambridge and walked a little on the African American Trail, stopping at the African Meeting House [NHL] (Boston African American NHS).

The Meeting House exterior ...

... and interior

4/26/2016 Our trek covered (* indicating part of Boston NHP): ... African Meeting House NHL (p/o Boston African American NHS) - Also known First African Baptist Church, it was built in 1806 and is the oldest black church edifice still standing in the U.S.

African-American Museum

The Meeting House from one side ...

... and the other

The sign

Window detail

Frederick Law Olmstead National Historic Site

9/5/1999 Next to Frederick Law Olmsted NHS [House NHL]. Took a tour of the home/offices and landscaped grounds of the landscape architect. Olmsted and his company did over 5000 projects, including Central Park and the Biltmore Estate.

The park sign

Olmsted's house

Me out front

Maureen on the landscaped grounds

John Fitzgeral Kennedy National Historic Site

9/4/1999 ... then to the John Fitzgerald Kennedy NHS [Birthplace NHL], his birthplace. Saw a very good video on Rose Kennedy, then toured the house, redone by Rose to look like 1917 when JFK was born.

The park sign

Kennedy's birthplace

A Kennedy memorial

Longfellow House National Historic Site

8/22/1996 ... ended up in Cambridge at Longfellow NHS [NHL]. Beautiful home and gardens. Took an excellent tour of the home by a ranger with a great deal of information and a true personal interest in Longfellow and the arts. The home was used by Washington as his headquarters, rented by Longfellow, then owned by him and his family (his daughter was born, lived and died there at 78). The house was full of great art, books, etc.

The park sign

The front of the home ...

... and the side

4/25/2016 The sites we got were: ... Longfellow House Washington's Headquarters NHS/Longfellow House NHL - The home of noted American poet Henry and previously served as the headquarters of General George Washington, 1775-76.

The park sign

A far view of the house ...

... and closer up

Detail of the front ...

... and the back

The back garden

Salem Maritime National Historic Site

8/23/1996 Walked down to Salem Maritime NHS and got some info ... Back to the NHS and saw a slide show about the biggest port in America, then walked around a bit seeing the remaining wharves, Customs House, etc.

The park sign

Me near the water

The Customs House

Saugus Ironworks National Historic Site

9/9/1995 From there drove to Saugus to the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site [NHL]. Also very interesting - saw huge 17th century furnaces, 500 pound hammer to make wrought iron, etc., as well as a 17th century restored home.

Interpretive sign and a view of the area

Me by a big furnace

Springfield Armory National Historic Site

8/16/1996 ... continued up to Springfield, MA and the Springfield Armory NHS [NHL]. Brief visit here; displays of firearms through the ages, and good videos of different types and how they load and fire.

The park sign and building

One museum display ...

... and another