This is a plaque located in front of Boston's Old City Hall, shows that this historical landmark is where the first public latin school was located. The school offered free educated to boys regardless of status, while girls attended private schools. Five signers of the Declaration of Independence attended this school, Benjamin Franklin being one of them.
I was impressed with how well kept the statue was and the efforts taken to teach the history of our founding fathers and allow it to flourish for the future generation to understand the struggles of men like Benjamin Franklin.
If you're interested in the Freedom Trail - you should check it out https://www.thefreedomtrail.org/freedom-trail/benjamin-franklin-statue.shtml
I enjoyed your post on Benjamin Franklin. I pass by the Old City Hall every morning and it is a great reminder for me of how our Nation was built and who it was built by! I didn't know that 5 signors of the Declaration of Independence attended the first Latin School in Boston. It's amazing to be surrounded by such history and, like you mentioned, I think it's wonderful that Boston emphasizes it's history and keeps the stories of our Founding Fathers and major historical events in New England so alive.
ReplyDeleteI also enjoyed the post. The truth is, the first Latin School in Boston, is an ongoing institution. Boston Latin is the best exam school for the Boston Public School System. You need to apply and take a test in order to get in to Boston Latin. It is now over in the Fenway section of the City, right behind the Longwood Medical Center area. Follow this link to learn more of Boston Latin's history
ReplyDeletehttp://www.bls.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=206116&type=d
I also like the fact that you uncovered the reason for the name of the street "School Street". The street has so much history on it because it is in one of the oldest sections of the City. Since I am a Lynn historian, I like to note that The Old Boston City Hall and the Old Lynn City Hall were built by the same architect, Gridley James Fox Bryant. You can only see pictures of Lynn City Hall because it is no longer, it was knocked down and Lynn's current City Hall was built in that location. A real travesty. Follow the link to see Lynn Old City Hall. Can you see architectural similarities?
https://www.flickr.com/photos/bikeman04/9807274473
I like Ben Franklin for a lot of reasons. He helped fund the first library in the USA. He did so much good for the country but I wish there was more about his dark past. He had some interesting times in Europe. I also want to know if he actually tied a key to a kite and flew it during a thunderstorm.
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