Historical Sites Becoming Less Popular With Boston Tourists

History is out and commercialism is in in Boston, where democracy took root more than two centuries ago, and the old burial grounds and the Bunker Hill monument are definitely out of style for tourists.

“The tourists now all want to go to Faneuil Hall Marketplace,” said Alan Klein, whose Klein’s Postcard Service distributes about 80% of all post cards in Boston.

Faneuil Hall, the “Cradle of Liberty” used as a meeting hall by Colonial revolutionaries, was converted in the 1970s to a shopping arcade featuring boutiques and eateries.

“Some historical places like the Bunker Hill monument and places along the Freedom Trail aren’t nearly as popular as they used to be,” said Klein, 57, who has spent 25 years in the post card business.

“Even the swan boats in the Public Garden aren’t that big anymore.

“These things go in cycles. Fifteen years ago everybody had to go to the Prudential Center. Now the waterfront is undergoing a great renaissance, especially the marketplace.”

Visiting old graveyards is definitely out.

“As a matter of fact, we’re discontinuing the Old Granary Burying Ground post card,” Klein said of the burial site of three signers of the Declaration of Independence--John Hancock, Samuel Adams and Robert Treat Paine.

Also buried there are Paul Revere and the parents of Benjamin Franklin.

“I guess it’s no great attraction to people anymore to just walk around a cemetery,” said Klein.