Historic Mini-Tours
We are pleased to offer 12 Traveling Mini-Tour Lectures as an exciting part of the Reformation 500 Celebration. Join historians Dr. Paul Jehle, Doug Phillips, Esq., William Potter, Dr. Marshall Foster, Dr. Joe Morecraft, and Col. John Eidsmoe as they walk the streets of Historic Boston, explaining the remarkable work of Divine Providence in the lives of America’s founding fathers. Enjoy touring outdoors with these gifted historians through beautiful, historic Boston for a breathtaking peek into the amazing story of this nation.
These tours are limited to one hundred people per tour, so space is limited. Each registration includes admittance to two tours for everyone on the conference registration. All people listed on the conference registration page will be placed on the same tour as we are not able to split individuals on a registration between tours. Tours will last approximately one-and-a-half hours. Each tour will begin at a designated location in Boston, from 2 blocks to 2.5 miles from the Park Plaza hotel. Each venue is readily accessible via walking or public transportation. You are welcome to take your own car, bearing in mind that parking in Boston is an expensive challenge.
The special Reformation 500 Celebration’s Pilgrimage to Plymouth June 29 and 30 is currently full as is the waiting list. If additional space becomes available we will notify Reformation 500 registrants via email in order of their registrants. We look forward to celebrating the providence of God in our nation’s founding and the birthplace of her spiritual heritage!
Paul Revere Statue/Old North Church/Copp’s Hill Tour
“One if by land, and two, if by sea...” Relive Longfellow’s famous lines as you join us at the Paul Revere Statue and the Old North Church where Robert Newman hung the signal lanterns to alert Paul Revere to the approaching British regulars, prompting the patriot’s famous midnight ride. Also learn the story of the Mathers — Richard, Increase, and Cotton — when the tour stops at their Family Tomb located in the Copp’s Hill Burying Ground, the second oldest cemetery in Boston. Of Cotton Mather, George Washington declared, “He was undoubtedly the Spiritual Father of America’s Founding Fathers.” This tour will highlight his story as well other key vignettes from Boston’s north side.
Old South Meeting House/Boston Massacre/Benjamin Franklin Tour
Tour the Old South Meeting House, Boston’s largest building during colonial times and the host to key events during America’s fight for liberty. At the close of one pivotal meeting there in 1773, patriot Samuel Adams led a delegation of protesters from the Old South Church to dump tea into Boston Harbor — an event that became known as the “Boston Tea Party.” Also learn the story of the “Boston Massacre,” a conflagration which resulted in the death of several Bostonians when British soldiers opened fire on them in front of the Old State House. And visit the portrait statue of Benjamin Franklin — the Boston-born patriot and inventor who was one of the most world-famous men of his day.
U.S.S. Constitution Tour
Walk the deck of the USS Constitution, the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world, as part of our special tour of “Old Ironsides.” First launched in 1797, the Constitution is one of six ships ordered for construction by George Washington to protect America’s growing maritime interests. The ship’s greatest glory came during the War of 1812 when she defeated four British frigates. After cannon balls glanced off her thick hull, she earned the nickname “Old Ironsides.” The ship was restored in 1927 with contributions from the nation’s school children.
Granary Burying Grounds/Park Street Church/King’s Chapel Tour
View some of America’s most ancient graves at the King Chapel’s Burying Ground, the final resting place for important colonists such as John Winthrop, the Massachusetts Bay Colony’s visionary leader and long-time governor; Hezekiah Usher, the colony’s first printer; and Mary Chilton, the first women to step off the Mayflower. The oldest burying place in Boston proper, this plot later became the site of an important church when King James II ordered an Anglican parish to be built in Boston. In carrying out this command, Governor Andros seized a corner of the burying ground for the Church of England where the King’s Chapel was then constructed. Also tour the Park Street Church as well as the Granary, the third oldest burying ground in Boston proper where such heroes as Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and three signers of the Declaration of Independence are interred.
Massachusetts State House Tour
Gain a powerful overview of Massachusetts’ providential history as Dr. Paul Jehle explains the impressive paintings, statues, and symbolism found in the Massachusetts State House. Built in 1798, the “new” State House is located across from the Boston Common on the top of Beacon Hill on land once owned by Massachusetts’ first elected governor, John Hancock.
Boston Common Tour
Walk the grounds of the Boston Common as part of our historic tour of America’s oldest public park. Situated on forty-four acres of open land, this plot was used as a common pasture for grazing cattle owned by the townspeople of Boston. The Common later became a training field for the militia and was used as a British Army camp during the occupation of Boston. In the past, the Common was used as a place to hang pirates and publicly pillory criminals in “stocks.” It has also served as a gathering place for famous public oratory led by some of America’s greatest statesman and patriots.
Bunker Hill Tour
Visit the Bunker Hill Monument and battlefield as part of an exciting tour of the American War for Independence’ first major battle site. “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes” was the legendary order attributed to Colonel William Prescott to make sure that each shot his troops fires would count. Although the colonists lost the battle, their bravery and strong showing against the British encouraged them to fight on. The Bunker Hill Monument stands 221 feet tall at Breed’s Hill, and while there are no elevators in the monument, the amazing vistas that come after the 294 steps to the top are well worth the climb!
Tour of Faneuil Hall
Join us for a tour of Boston’s historic Faneuil Hall. A marketplace and a meeting hall since 1742, Faneuil Hall became a staging point for inspirational speeches given by Samuel Adams and other patriots during America’s fight for liberty. The building got its name from Peter Faneuil, a wealthy merchant who funded the construction of a grasshopper weather vane that still perches on the building’s cupola. After more than 260 years, the first floor of Faneuil Hall is still used as a lively marketplace.
Calvinistic Preachers Tour
Calvinistic preachers had a profound influence on the conscience of our nation as they proclaimed the great doctrines of the Christian faith throughout the land. On this tour you will stand in the places where great preaching transformed a nation and reflect upon Calvinistic pastors like Increase and Cotton Mather and Jonathan Edwards; evangelists like Gilbert Tennent, George Whitefield and Samuel Davies; missionaries like David Brainerd, John Eliot, William Carey and Adoniram Judson; Scholars like Charles Hodge, A.W. Pink, John Dagg and BB Warfield.
Battles of Boston Tour
Historian Bill Potter shares the military history of the city that launched the Patriot cause. From King Phillip’s War, through the Battle of Dorchester Heights and beyond, Boston has been the location of important skirmishes and defining military campaigns. Get a biblical and historical perspective on the history of military warfare in the city of the Puritans, the Founding Fathers and the Boston Brahmins.
Great Awakening in Boston Tour
It is reported that when the great George Whitefield preached in Boston, twenty-two preachers were converted. When he departed the city, a crowd of 23,000 gathered on the Boston Commons to hear his farewell sermon. Even more amazing is the fact that some historians believe that 80% of the Americans of that generation heard George Whitfield preach a sermon. Now participants in the Great Awakening Faith and Freedom mini-tour will gather on the Boston Common where they can hear from some of the great teachers of our own generation recount the story of the men who took Calvin’s message of reformation and revival and preached it on the streets of Boston, Philadelphia and Williamsburg, thus sparking the most notable spiritual revival in American history.