Education - Teaching History through King's Chapel
What does King's Chapel have to offer educators?
King's Chapel is in the unique position of being one of the sites on Boston's Freedom Trail that was a party to both the Loyalist and the Patriot sides of the American Revolution. The stories and people from King's tell a much more complex history of the war and of life in Boston than most other places; King's was attended by the rich and the poor, the British and the Americans, the Loyalists and the Patriots. We have connections to the Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party, the British Evacuation, the Battle of Bunker Hill, and the Ride of Paul Revere.
Our guides at King's are trained to be able to talk about both sides of the war to a varity of age groups, from young children through college-age and adult education courses. We teach through guided tours as well as role-play: our guides are able to lecture and to act out the stories of some of King's Chapel's more interesting figures.
Are you a school or class thinking of including King's Chapel on your trip to Boston?
School groups - including scavenger hunters - are always welcome at King's Chapel. We're happy to accomodate school groups of all sizes during our regular opening hours, or to arrange a special tour for your group.
King's Chapel has a lot to offer students of all ages and interests: we have unique and historic architecture; connections to the Civil War and World War I; connections to major 18th and 19th century American literary figures; a long-standing relationship with the Bostontown Colonial Puritans; a fascinating religious history; and, most importantly, King's Chapel (and its members) played a vital role during the American Revolution. We hosted famous names like George Washington, Paul Revere, Benjamin Franklin, and John Hancock, but we were also attended by the Loyalists - Charles Paxton (Head of Customs), Royal Governors Hutchinson and Shirley, and many more. Our history provides a good opportunity for students not only to see an historic site still in its original condition (from 1749), but to learn about history where it happened.
We have several guides experienced in working with children and young adults of all ages from preschool through college, and we are happy to tailor a tour for your specific interests, schedule, and curriculum. If you would like to set up something specific, please fill out a group visit form and contact our head guide to arrange the details. Send completed forms by fax, email, or mail.
The tours we typically offer are listed below.
- History of Unitarianism at KC: This is the tour most often given by a minister to Church and UUA Youth groups. It includes some of the history of the building and congregation, as well as the history of King’s Chapel’s change from Anglicanism to Christian Unitarianism in 1785.
- Revolutionary Boston & KC: This tour talks about the history of the American Revolution in Boston, particularly as it appeared in King’s Chapel. KC was frequented by both Patriots and Royalists during the Revolution, and has a rather interesting roster: Ben Franklin, Paul Revere, John Hancock, Royal Governors Shirley and Hutchinson, and Charles Paxton, to name a few.
- Tory Stories: A special KC treat! Costumed guides assume the characters of some of the Tories (the Royalists) who attended King’s Chapel and were forced into exile in March of 1776. They tell the stories of some of the Tory families attending King’s Chapel during the Revolution and talk about what happened to the Church after their departure.
- History of KC Building & Burying Ground: This tour talks about the basic architectural and social history of King’s Chapel from its founding in 1686 through the Revolutionary period, touching on some of our important personages as well as the interesting and unusual elements of the Church’s construction. The tour also includes a brief history of the neighboring Burying Ground and some of its denizens.
We ask that groups make a donation to King’s Chapel to help continue the tour program and assist with the maintenance and restoration of our historic landmark. Groups are asked for a donation of $3 per person for guided tours, with a minimum of $25 per group. Large groups (more than 25) are asked for a minimum of $1 per person. Groups with financial hardships or limits are asked to contact the head guide for possible elimination or reduction of rates.
Putting together a scavenger hunt?
There are several intersting things about King's Chapel and the adjacent Burying Ground that are of interest to students roaming the Freedom Trail.
You can copy and paste the following questions (answers below).
King's Chapel
1. Where would you find the largest bell ever made by Paul Revere?
2. In what year was King's Chapel founded? By whom?
3. Who sat in Pew #4? Why is he important? Where is he buried?
4. Who is Joseph May?
5. When did the Loyalists leave King's Chapel?
King's Chapel Burying Ground
6. Whose stone has the elaborate carving of Father Time and Death (just inside the gates)?
7. What is the large covered round hole in the Burying Ground? When was it put in?
8. Who is Elizabeth Pain (you might have to go inside King's Chapel)?
9. What is the most common carving on the stones in the Burying Ground? What does it mean?
10. What will you find inside the large, rectangular tombs?
ANSWERS
1. in the King's Chapel bell-tower; 2. 1686, by King James II; 3. Charles Paxton, he summoned the troops for the Boston Massacre, in the King's Chapel Crypt; 4. grandfather of Louisa May Alcott; 5. March 17, 1776; 6. Joseph Tapping; 7. subway vent, 1897; 8. the inspiration for Hester Prynne; 9. a "death's head" (skull/head with wings) symbolizing the mortality of the body and immortality of the soul; 10. steps leading down to a large crypt.