| Faneuil Hall Marketplace is actually four great places in one
location — Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market, North Market and
South Market, all set around a cobblestone promenade where jugglers,
magicians and musicians entertain the passers-by. So by all means,
stroll, shop, eat, laugh, wander, wonder and explore it all.
History
In 1742, Boston’s wealthiest merchant, Peter Faneuil,
as a gift to the city, built Faneuil Hall. The edifice was home
to merchants, fishermen, and meat and produce sellers, and provided
a platform for the country's most famous orators. It is where
colonists first protested the Sugar Act in 1764 and established
the doctrine of "no taxation without representation."
Firebrand Samuel Adams rallied the citizens of Boston to the
cause of independence from Great Britain in the hallowed Hall,
and George Washington toasted the nation there on its first
birthday. Through the years, Faneuil Hall has played host to
many impassioned speakers, from Oliver Wendall Holmes and Susan
B. Anthony to Bill Clinton and Ted Kennedy, always living up
to its nickname, "The Cradle of Liberty."
To better accommodate the merchants and shoppers, Faneuil Hall
was expanded in 1826 to include Quincy Market, which was designed
in the then-popular Greek Revival style and later dubbed for
Boston Mayor Josiah Quincy. The market remained a vital business
hub throughout the 1800's; but by the mid-1900's, the buildings
had fallen into disrepair and many stood empty. The once-thriving
marketplace was tagged for demolition until a committed group
of Bostonians sought to preserve it in the early 1970's. Through
the vision of Jim Rouse, architect Benjamin Thompson and Mayor
Kevin White, the dilapidated structures were revitalized, thoroughly
changing the face of downtown Boston. The 1976 renovation was
the first urban renewal project of its kind, one that spawned
imitations in this country and abroad.
Today, what is known as Faneuil Hall Marketplace is still Boston's
central meeting place, offering visitors and residents alike
an unparalleled urban marketplace. The unique and burgeoning
array of shops, restaurants and outdoor entertainment have made
it a premiere urban destination that attracts more than 18 million
visitors annually.
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