One of the best ways to explore U.S. history in Boston is to walk the Freedom Trail. For those who want to take a few steps off that iconic path and still get a glimpse of the formative years of this country, look no further than Copley Square, where the Boston Public Library (refer to listing, page 44) showcases We Are One: Mapping America’s Road from Revolution to Independence. Consisting of 60 maps and 40 prints, paintings and other artifacts, the free exhibit commemorates the 250th anniversary of colonial resistance to the Stamp Act of 1765. Rare and significant documents from 20 institutions—such as early maps of the 13 colonies, as well as prints and drawings of various incidents before and during the American Revolution—illustrate the long journey our forefathers took to gain freedom from the British Empire.

Photo: Paul Revere, The Bloody Massacre Perpetrated in King Street Boston on March 5th 1770 by a party of the 29th regiment, 1770