Your Guide—Ben Edwards
In His Ancestors’ Footsteps
“Ben may be the closest thing you’ll ever get to walking Boston with a member of the Sons of Liberty or spending the afternoon with Paul Revere himself.”—From a review on Tripadvisor
Ben Edwards has been a private tour guide in Boston since 2004. Over the past two decades, a multitude of groups from across the United States and visitors from around the globe have taken Ben’s Walking Boston private tour. There is simply no other tour in Boston like it! Ben Edwards has also taught the American Revolution to thousands of students through school author visits and private guided walking tours of the Freedom Trail.
Ben is the author of the children’s book One April in Boston. The 20th Anniversary Edition was released in 2020. Tour participants receive the book in print, eBook, and MP3 audio formats. Written for ages 10-13, One April in Boston teaches American history, the power of imagination, and the value of goal setting. Set in colonial Boston, the story follows Ben’s actual ancestors as they experience the events of Paul Revere’s Ride and the Battles of Lexington and Concord. Shortly after the Declaration of Independence is read in Boston on July 18, 1776, the story transports readers forward in time with fascinating and moving connections to the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln, and World War I. The print edition was revised in 2024. The 25th Anniversary Edition will be published in 2025.
Tour participants, especially children, enjoy learning about the Edwards family connection to Paul Revere. In April 1775, author Ben Edwards’ fourth-great-grandfather, Benjamin Edwards, was a 10-year-old orphan living just down the street from Christ Church (Old North Church) when two signal lanterns were shown from its steeple and Paul Revere made his midnight ride. Ben lived with his uncle (a member of the Sons of Liberty) and toward the end of the American Revolution his older sister, Sally Edwards, married silversmith Paul Revere Jr., firstborn son of the famous patriot. Private tour guide Ben Edwards honors the memory of his ancestors by serving on the Board of Directors of the Paul Revere Memorial Association—a position he has held since 1999.
In addition to treasures that support his family history, Ben shares his collection of rare documents and historic newspapers along the tour route. The extensive collection includes documents signed by John Hancock and Boston Tea Party participants Thomas Melvill and Amos Lincoln; original colonial newspapers containing ads for Paul Revere’s many businesses; and much more. No other tour lets you experience Boston history this way.
Ben Edwards is your personal connection to ALL things Boston. He has been a resident of Boston’s Back Bay for over 20 years and knows the city inside out. With Ben’s tips and guidance, you won’t miss a thing Boston has to offer. As a tour participant/guest you’ll receive online access to all of Ben’s exclusive insider tips to help you plan your trip. While in Boston you can access this same valuable content on your smartphone.
Letter of Recommendation from the Paul Revere House. Contact Ben by email.
What’s it like to work with Ben Edwards? Here are over 600 photos. You can also follow Ben at Bluesky.