As one of the many stops along the Freedom Trail, Faneuil Hall Marketplace in Boston has become an important element of the history of the nation while also serving as a modern marketplace for the city. By functioning as a hub of activity for both food and ideas for centuries, the space showcases what it can mean to celebrate the past while also creating engagement in the present to serve as an attraction for audiences of all eras.
From the “Cradle of Liberty” to a Modern Marketplace
Early 18th century Boston saw merchants trade and exchange numerous products. One of the wealthiest merchants of the era was Peter Faneuil who wanted to mark his success by building a central food market. In 1742, what would become known as Faneuil Hall was constructed.
The lower level of the hall was divvied into stalls which were leased for market purposes.The second floor became Boston’s official town hall, where Bostonians debated issues and voted on taxes. When discussions turned to the taxation policies of the British Emire, the building became the focus of revolutionary activity in Boston. People like James Otis and Samuel Adams debated their opposition to new taxes, which is why Faneuil Hall became known as “America’s Cradle of Liberty.”
Faneuil Hall itself was expanded in the early 1800s and continued to serve as a forum for the debate of national issues like the preservation of the Union, slavery and women’s suffrage. In the early 19th century the three granite structures of Quincy Market were built to the east of the Faneuil Hall which served as Boston’s wholesale food distribution center until the 1960’s.
In the 1970s, the entire Faneuil Hall area underwent a renewal to be able to support the thousands of visitors that now visit the space each day to shop, eat and more.
Shopping, Food, Tours and More
Faneuil Hall Marketplace is actually a collection of four distinct locations. Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market, North Market and South Market are set around a cobblestone promenade where jugglers, magicians and musicians entertain the passers-by. Quincy Market was designed in the Greek Revival style and later named for Boston Mayor Josiah Quincy.
Over 70 retailers and 40 office tenants occupy the 200,000 square feet of retail and 160,000 square feet of space on the festival marketplace. There are 49 shops, 18 restaurants and pubs, 35 Colonnade eateries and 44 pushcarts in Faneuil Hall Marketplace.
The shopping directory features locally-owned and nationally recognized retailers. It also contains a unique collection of pushcart retailers featuring New England artisans and their unique wares. Items range from apparel to jewelry to specialty gifts. Shopping packages give visitors the opportunity to explore this shopping/dining/entertainment destination at a discounted rate.
Following on the marketplace tradition, there are numerous restaurants and food options throughout Faneuil Hall Marketplace. Visitors can eat beneath glass canopies or at one of our many outdoor cafes. Entertainment options range from outdoor activities to watching street performers to listening to musicians.
In Faneuil Hall itself, the first floor is used as a lively marketplace features shops and stores that are connected to the history of the city and building. The second floor, known as the Great Hall, is a meeting place where many Boston debates are held. This history has actively contributed to the cultural and economic impact that Faneuil Hall Marketplace has enabled.
The Impact of a Boston Icon
There are numerous events hosted at Faneuil Hall that range from tree lightings to concerns to Taco Tuesdays. These events have created a sense of community that attracts both residents and visitors. Additionally, historical tours of the architecture, politics, and geography of Quincy’s Market are readily available.
The symbol of Faneuil Hall itself is the grasshopper weathervane, which is the only part of Faneuil Hall that remains totally unmodified from the original 1742 structure. This symbol is one that’s utilized for various purposes throughout the structure and beyond. However, it’s not the only means of identity that has made such an impact on audiences and for stakeholders.
Created by Anne Whitney in 1880, a bronze statue of Samuel Adams sits on a large granite base in front of Faneuil Hall. It is based upon the marble statue that she made for the National Statuary Hall Collection. The granite plaza surface is marked with the approximate location of the early Colonial shoreline while a statue of four-term Boston mayor Kevin White resides in this same plaza.
These monuments as well as the imagery associated with the Faneuil Hall Marketplace is utilized in countless products and has become a means of identity for the entire establishment. It is also a five-minute walk to the New England Aquarium, The Children’s Museum, The Old State House, and Paul Revere’s House, providing visitors with that much more of a reason to make Faneuil Hall Marketplace an essential part of their trip or visit.
Featured on maps, lists and guides to the city, the activities and attractions located throughout are just part of the reason that Faneuil Hall Marketplace has become a destination that pulls in audiences from all over the city and nation.
A Legacy for Boston and of America
Attracting more than 18 million visitors annually, Faneuil Hall Marketplace highlights what it can look like to celebrate the past without being limited by it. Other markets have been able to create engagement with their variety of shops and stores, but the engagement and identity that Faneuil Hall Marketplace has cultivated has allowed it to further define a legacy for the entire city and era.
