Faneuil Hall

Faneuil Hall
Introduction
When we went to Faneuil Hall, we learned that it was built in 1742 and funded by Peter Faneuil.

He conceived the idea of Faneuil hall which was to consist of two floors:
A bottom floor open-air market and…
A second floor Town Meeting Hall.
The market was a great idea because before this to get a variety of items like meat, vegetables, and fish you had to travel all over the place. Now with the market farmers and fishermen with a surplus of goods could sell them at the market allowing for a centralization of goods.

The second floor was used as the meeting place for the local government during revolution and it served as a public forum for town members to voice their grievances. Because many great figures of the revolution used the hall as a way to stir up “the fires of freedom”.
People like Samuel Adams and James Otis who many know because of the phrase he coined “taxation without representation.’
Because of this it was been given the name the cradle of liberty.

Faneuil Hall
Time Differences (Then/Now)
The 18th century marked a period of distinct change. With the indoctrination of The Declaration of Independence, this period marks the origins of America as a united nation.

It’s significance during this time period is that Faneuil Hall played a vital roll in revolutionary politics. Of course, while the second floor is still used as a meeting hall for debates, it’s purpose is no longer of revolution.

Designated as a National Historic Landmark by the Secretary of the Interior in October 9, 1960. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in October 15, 1966.

Faneuil Hall
Sponsorship
Peter Faneuil was wealthy merchant during the 18th century.

His point of view is reflected in the building because…
A few years before its construction, Peter had been concerned over his legacy and how he would be remembered after he died. Thus, the building is in many ways Peter Faneuil incarnate.

Faneuil Hall
What if ?
Different Sponsorship
This monument is from an era of the Revolutionary War:
It celebrates liberty and freedom and democracy, but…
Only free males who owned land could attend town meetings, so it left out a significant portion of the population…

Because Peter Faneuil was a wealthy, white, merchant, a different racial group may have had more different restrictions, etc.

Faneuil Hall
Faneuil Hall reminds us of the values of liberty, free speech, and debate.

Every voice can be heard.

Anyone can be part of a market, buying and selling as they please.

Faneuil Hall preserves the values presented in both the Declaration and the Constitution.


Values

Faneuil Hall
Words & Symbols
Are there any words or symbols that were used when the monument was erected that wouldn’t be used today?

The answer is YES:

It was designated a national historic site right before the bicentennial, so there was a lot of patriotic sentiments. Everything refers to the cradle of liberty, and such.

Faneuil Hall
Presentation Accuracy
The presentation is pretty accurate.

When we searched for historical information about Faneuil Hall on the internet, we found quite a lot.

In addition, on our trip to visit Faneuil hall: we listened to a park ranger speak, and he covered most of the information.

Many of the plaques also displayed significant information on them.

Faneuil Hall
Conclusion
Faneuil Hall has been home to many revolutionary speakers.

From the Committee of Correspondence to Frederick Douglass, Faneuil Hall has had speakers throughout the ages.

Boston was an important city during the Revolutionary War because of its fervent citizens and many of them gathered in Faneuil Hall at some point to speak about American independence from Britain.

It is still used today for some college graduations, for “Land of the Free” in which citizens take the Oath of Allegiance and Faneuil Hall to be sworn in as citizens, and it is regularly open to commemorate the fairly recent beginnings of the United States of America.

Faneuil Hall
Bibliography
"Faneuil Hall Boston, The Cradle Of Liberty." Boston Travel and Tourism
Guide, Enjoy Your Vacation in Historic Boston MA. Celebrate Boston, 2010. Web. 8 Dec. 2010. .

The Freedom Trail Foundation. "Faneuil Hall | City of Boston." Faneuil Hall City of Boston. City of Boston, 2010. Web. 15 Dec. 2010. .

"National Historic Landmarks Program: National Park Service: Official Site." U.S. National Park Service - Experience Your America. Ed. NPS. 12 Sept. 2010. Web. 8 Dec. 2010. .

Park Ranger. "Faneuil Hall Q/A." Personal interview. 27 Nov. 2010.

Photographs taken of plagues at Faneuil Hall, Faneuil Hall. Personal photograph by author. 2010.