Fanning's Freedom Trail Tours
Boston-based, small group tours with a local history buff!
About
Hi, I'm Jonathan (he/him)!
As a casual historian, I've delved into the details of Boston's past since moving to the area in 2017. I am passionate about sharing the stories of the individuals who shaped the very beginnings of American history, and what better place to do it than the birthplace of the American Revolution?
I started giving visiting friends and family informal tours of the Freedom Trail shortly after moving to Boston five years ago. With each tour I learned a little more about the sites and stories that help make history come alive. After a few years, my friends suggested I start offering the tours to a wider audience. They also bought me this cool hat to make me seem more official. I'm excited to help guide residents and visitors alike to a greater appreciation of the incredible amount of consequential history that took place in the few square miles in and around Boston.
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In particular, I love finding stories and events outside the usual narrative of Boston's history, and raising awareness of people and places often overlooked. While I make sure to cover the basics, if you're the type of person who likes knowing obscure facts like what a Central American parasite has to do with the exceptionally high British officer casualty rate at the Battle of Bunker Hill, my tours are for you!
Land Acknowledgment: I am an uninvited settler on traditional Massachusett, Pawtucket, and Wampanoag land. The tours I lead, and the stories I tell occur on this land, and I hope through my stories to raise awareness of the repeated violations of sovereignty, territory, and water perpetrated by invaders that have impacted the original inhabitants of this land for over 400 years. I also affirm that this acknowledgement is insufficient. It does not undo the harm that has been done and continues to be perpetrated now against Indigenous people, their land, water, and culture.
Tour Packages
I run tours on Saturdays and Sundays based on demand. I strongly believe in making history as accessible as possible, so I have no fixed prices for my tours. Rather, for each I've included a suggested price. Please feel free to pay what you're willing/able at the conclusion of your tour. If you're interested in scheduling a tour, you can see my current availability on the Booking page.
The Ultimate Boston Experience
Suggested Price: $40 per person
Average length: Half Day
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Jonathan's signature tour! Interested in getting as much as you possibly can out of a single day in Boston? This tour has it all! Using the Freedom Trail as a rough guide, Jonathan will take you through over 400 years of Boston history, from pre-European contact, key 18th century American Revolutionary moments, 19th century abolitionist movements, 20th century migration and urban renewal, and how the city continues to change into the 21st century.
Along the way we'll also eat at the oldest tavern in Massachusetts, stop at two local, iconic breweries, and eat a North End pastry. There's no better way to learn and experience everything that makes Boston an iconic American city!
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Food and beverage are not included in the cost of the tour. These are optional, recommended stops along the way.
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Accessibility Note: This is a walking tour which covers ~4.5 miles. Due to Boston's aging, often inaccessible infrastructure, it is not recommended for individuals with limited mobility.
Women of Boston
Suggested Price: $25 per person
Average length: 2.5 hours with an optional 30min extension
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Women have played a central (and often ignored or overlooked) role in the history of Boston. They've inspired religious revolutions, challenged gender and race roles, were key players in the defense of Boston during the revolution, and created many of the public institutions we cherish. Boston was- and is- home to well known suffragists, feminists, and champions of gender equality. Many of these women feature in Jonathan's other tours, but this tour will focus specifically on the contributions of women on Boston's history, and inspire you to continue seeking out their stories.
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Accessibility Note: This is a walking tour which covers ~3 miles. Due to Boston's aging, often inaccessible infrastructure, it is not recommended for individuals with limited mobility.
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While excited to give this tour, Jonathan recognizes that a White male probably isn't the best voice for these stories. If you'd prefer this style of tour delivered by a woman, he HIGHLY recommends the "Remember the Ladies" tour by Ellen Mooradian: https://bostonbyellen.com/remember-the-ladies-walking-tour
Revolutionary Boston
Suggested Price: $20 per person
Average length: 2.5 hours
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An abbreviated, more accessible version of The Ultimate Boston Experience, this tour begins with a focus on historic sites and stories of the Freedom Trail in Boston, with additional stops at contemporary monuments and landmarks exploring what freedom means today.
Tour Reviews
Jonathan offers hands down the best tour I have ever taken when visiting a new city. He is a wealth of information and offers it in a way that is both captivating and accessible. He will take you to the iconic must-sees as well as less commonly known but equally fascinating points off the beaten path. By the end of the day, you’ll forget you are on a tour and feel like you’re just hanging out with a friend who happens to know everything about the city. This is an afternoon you won’t regret!
Traci S.
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