J. L. BELL is a Massachusetts writer who specializes in (among other things) the start of the American Revolution in and around Boston. He is particularly interested in the experiences of children in 1765-75. He has published scholarly papers and popular articles for both children and adults. He was consultant for an episode of History Detectives, and contributed to a display at Minute Man National Historic Park.

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Tuesday, June 27, 2006

Old South Meeting-House steeple tours

As of Monday afternoon, the Old South Meeting-House Association still had slots left on its 2006 "Climb the 1729 Old South Steeple" tour on Friday, 30 June, and Saturday, 1 July, starting at 11:00. The price is $12. The organization's website says:

Climb the tower and get a bird's eye view of downtown crossing. Take advantage of this rare opportunity to see an original piece of colonial Boston that few have seen this close in over 270 years. Led by an Old South staff member, the tour will cover the original weather vane, the belfry, the steeple [&] the 1766 tower clock.
For more information and how to reserve a space, look for the event in this listing.

Having climbed to the roof of Ely Cathedral, I'm pretty sure I can handle Old South. But this isn't just recreation, it's research! As in the Rev. Ezra Stiles's itinerary entry for 19 July 1770:
all foren[oon]. in So. Chh. Steeple transcrib’g &c. MSS.
Aft. in the Lib’y of venerable Rich’d., Increase, Cott., & now Sam’l Mathers.
Stiles had come to the Boston area from Newport for the Harvard commencement, and of course no travel is complete without research.

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