7 Lesser-Known Historical Spots in Boston

[Destinations]( [Collections]( [Hotels]( [Best Fall Things to Do in Boston - Oyster NL Header Image]( Boston’s Freedom Trail is usually the go-to for historical spots in Boston. While it is a great way to hit many of the essential locations in Boston’s history, there are several other significant spots in the city that are not on the trail but are worth a visit. [Oyster Bullet] Gibson House Museum While the [Freedom Trail]( concentrates on eighteenth-century history, [The Gibson House]( concentrates on the late nineteenth-early twentieth century. Visitors get a taste of what life was like for members of the Gibson family, including viewing the original kitchen, as well as four stories of rooms decorated with furniture and artifacts from the turn of the twentieth century. The Gibson House also has ties to LGBTQ+ history, as its last resident and founder of the museum, Charles Gibson Jr. was a gay man (although this term was not openly used during his lifetime, it has been adopted by modern curators). The house has proudly served as a gathering place for LGBTQ+ groups throughout the years. [Oyster Bullet] Fort Warren on George’s Island The Revolutionary War is the one that gets most of the attention in Boston, but if you’re interested in Civil War history, visit Fort Warren on George’s Island. Fort Warren was a training facility during the Civil War, as well as a jail for Confederate soldiers. Ghost hunters will be interested in the Lady in Black, who reportedly haunts the island. To get to the island, take the ferry from [Long Wharf North](. Once on the island, you can explore through self-guided tours, have a picnic, or buy a snack on the premises. Open seasonally from May through October. [Oyster Bullet] Fort Independence, Castle Island Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, [Fort Independence]( is considered the "oldest fortified military site in British North America." Home to military forts since 1634, the current structure was built in the 19th century. [The Castle Island Association]( sponsors free tours of Fort Independence (weather permitting), but visitors are also welcome to explore the fort on their own. Unlike Fort Warren, Fort Independence is accessible by road. Open seasonally from May through October. [House]( [Oyster Bullet] Molasses Flood Plaque - Langone Park, North End In January 1919, a storage tank filled with molasses exploded, causing 2.3 million gallons of molasses to cover the streets of Boston in a 30-foot wave. At [529 Commercial Street]( you will find a plaque complete with photos commemorating the event which took place within where the park now stands. A [unique disaster]( in the city’s history, the spot is worth a visit. [Oyster Bullet] The Bell in Hand Tavern Serving libations since 1795, the [Bell in Hand Tavern]( is the oldest pub in Boston (and one of the oldest in the United States). Located next to Faneuil Hall, the tavern gained notoriety for serving ale that was so thick it was served with two mugs: one for the ale and another for the froth. While the ale may not be as thick these days, you can still stop in for a pint or a bite, while taking in a bit of history. [Oyster Bullet] Union Oyster House From Boston’s oldest bar, head over to the oldest restaurant, just one block from Faneuil Hall. The [Union Oyster House]( started serving food in 1826 and was a favorite spot of Daniel Webster, as well as John F. Kennedy, who would dine upstairs in a private dining room. Enjoy oysters, sandwiches, salads, and a variety of delicious seafood dishes. [Oyster Bullet] Brook Farm, West Roxbury [Brook Farm]( a National Historic Site for its role in social and intellectual history, is now 179 acres of land for hiking, walking, and taking in the wildlife. Steeped in history, the farm was started by the experimental society of Transcendentalists in 1841, and it later served as a Civil War training camp as well as a Lutheran orphanage. Its history goes back even further, with evidence of Native Americans camping on the site beginning over five-thousand years ago. Located just outside of Boston in West Roxbury, it is accessible by car or bus. Looking for a place to stay while in Boston? Here are our picks. 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