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George Washington in the Boston area, mapped

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George Washington spent a considerable amount of time in the Boston area from the spring of 1775 through the spring of 1776. He had to: The Siege of Boston was underway as the first major military contest of the American Revolution.

He also returned as president in October 1789.

Here is a map of where Washington spent both jags as well as the surviving signs of his presence in the area.

[Sources: MountVernon.org; WalkingBoston.com]

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Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site

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In late July 1775, Washington established his headquarters for the siege at this house, which John Vassall, a British loyalist, owned.

Martha Washington joined the general here in December 1775.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow made the house his home in the next century, hence its name.

Wikipedia

Cambridge Common

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It’s a myth that Washington took command under the Common’s so-called Washington Elm (the original tree associated with the myth died in the 1920s anyway).

But he did train troops on the Common. And there are reminders of that fact in the form of a trio of cannons seized from the British still on display there.

Christ Church Cambridge

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Washington’s army used this Episcopalian church as a barracks during the siege, but Martha Washington requested a service be held here on New Year’s Eve 1775.

The general was in attendance.

Christ Church

Wadsworth House

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This Harvard building was Washington’s first headquarters during the siege.

He and his staff occupied it for a couple of weeks in early July 1775.

Fort Washington Park

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This park sports not only clear vestiges of the oldest surviving fortification from the Revolutionary War, but five life-size, painted-steel silhouettes, including of four Continental Army troops.

John Hancock’s old house

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Located at 30 Beacon Street, the house of the first governor of Massachusetts under the state’s constitution was unceremoniously demolished in 1863.

Seventy-four years earlier, in October 1789, it (and Gov. Hancock) hosted George Washington.

Warren Tavern

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Washington dropped in on this now-238-year-old pub during an October 1789 visit that was part of the relatively new president’s tour of the relatively young nation.

King's Chapel

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On that same October 27, 1789, Washington attended a concert at the church and sat in the Governor’s Pew (which is still there).

Zack Frank/Shutterstock

Old Trinity Church

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Washington worshiped here on October 25, 1789, during a presidential tour of the nation.

The Trinity Church that was on this approximate spot burned down in the great fire that swept downtown Boston in 1872.

Boston Public Library/Wikipedia

Faneuil Hall

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Washington was the guest of honor at a banquet here on October 27, 1789.

The exterior of Faneuil Hall in Boston. The facade is red brick and there is a tower. ArtifyAnalog/Shutterstock

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Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site

In late July 1775, Washington established his headquarters for the siege at this house, which John Vassall, a British loyalist, owned.

Martha Washington joined the general here in December 1775.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow made the house his home in the next century, hence its name.

Wikipedia

Cambridge Common

It’s a myth that Washington took command under the Common’s so-called Washington Elm (the original tree associated with the myth died in the 1920s anyway).

But he did train troops on the Common. And there are reminders of that fact in the form of a trio of cannons seized from the British still on display there.

Christ Church Cambridge

Washington’s army used this Episcopalian church as a barracks during the siege, but Martha Washington requested a service be held here on New Year’s Eve 1775.

The general was in attendance.

Christ Church

Wadsworth House

This Harvard building was Washington’s first headquarters during the siege.

He and his staff occupied it for a couple of weeks in early July 1775.

Fort Washington Park

This park sports not only clear vestiges of the oldest surviving fortification from the Revolutionary War, but five life-size, painted-steel silhouettes, including of four Continental Army troops.

John Hancock’s old house

Located at 30 Beacon Street, the house of the first governor of Massachusetts under the state’s constitution was unceremoniously demolished in 1863.

Seventy-four years earlier, in October 1789, it (and Gov. Hancock) hosted George Washington.

Warren Tavern

Washington dropped in on this now-238-year-old pub during an October 1789 visit that was part of the relatively new president’s tour of the relatively young nation.

King's Chapel

On that same October 27, 1789, Washington attended a concert at the church and sat in the Governor’s Pew (which is still there).

Zack Frank/Shutterstock

Old Trinity Church

Washington worshiped here on October 25, 1789, during a presidential tour of the nation.

The Trinity Church that was on this approximate spot burned down in the great fire that swept downtown Boston in 1872.

Boston Public Library/Wikipedia

Faneuil Hall

Washington was the guest of honor at a banquet here on October 27, 1789.

The exterior of Faneuil Hall in Boston. The facade is red brick and there is a tower. ArtifyAnalog/Shutterstock