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 Boston’s oldest public building, the Old State House has a special place in the history of the United States and stands today as a museum to the momentous events it witnessed during the American Independence.
Built in 1713, the Old State House (known then as the Townhouse) served as the seat of British Government for the Massachusetts Bay Colony. This building was the crown’s administrative centre and the centre of commercial and civic life for the colony and as such, became a focus for the increasing resentment of the colonials.
John Adams remarked that it was here that ‘the child Independence was born’, after James Otis railed against the writs of assistance during a court session at the Old State House. Just outside the Old State House, is a circle of paving stones - the scene of the Boston Massacre, which provided a catalyst for American Independence.
March 5th 1770 is etched onto the memory of Bostonians, as the moment when the first blood of the Revolution was spilled, after British Red Coat soldiers fired on a jeering mob of colonials, killing five. The event provided perfect propaganda for American patriots such as Paul Revere whose now famous illustration of the Boston Massacre was widely circulated to stir up anti British fervour, a copy of which hangs in Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts .
In 1776, following the American revolution, it was here at the former seat of British power, that the Declaration of Independence was read to the people of Boston. And each year since, on the 4th July the Declaration of Independence is read out from the balcony of the Old State House.
After the revolution, the building served as the State House for Massachusetts, until the new State House on Beacon Hill was built in 1798. Since then the Old State House has been used as a city hall, shopping centre, bank and subway station.
By the late 19th century the Old State House was in some disrepair and the city of Boston were considering demolishing it. The city of Chicago offered to take the Old State House back to Michigan and restore it and revere it as an important heritage site. But the newly formed Bostonian Society decided to restore it themselves and open the Old State House to the public as an important heritage site and visitor attraction.
Since 1881, the Old State House has been just that – a museum and standing monument with exhibitions and displays outlining the events it witnessed along the road to American Independence. While down the old spiral staircase is a collection of old photographs, each picture telling its own story of life in Boston.
Location:
206 Washington Street, Boston. Take the Red or Green Line to State Street.
Opening Times:
Daily: 9am-5pm, January: 9am-4pm, July & August: 9am-6pm
Closed New Year’s Day, Christmas Day & Thanksgiving
Admission Fees:
Adult: $5
Children: $1
Concessions: $4
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