One of the most iconic buildings along Boston’s Freedom Trail is the Old State House. This remarkable colonial-era structure has been at the center of Boston’s early history- from the tragic “Boston Massacre,” a historic reading of the Declaration of Independence, to simply serving as a symbol of colonial governance. Today, the Old State House provides a unique museum experience dedicated to Boston and American Revolutionary War history that you will not want to miss!
History
The Old State House in Boston was built in 1713 to serve as the seat of colonial government in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The iconic structure served as the symbol of colonial rule and it was here that the Royal Governor worked and operated out of until 1775. In the Council Chamber (in the Old State House), the Royal Governor met with the Council, which was a 28-member advisory body (this group of men also served as the upper house of the colonial legislature).
In 1761, patriot James Otis argued his now famous “On the Writs of Assistance” before the court in the Old State House. John Adams, a young lawyer at the time, was in attendance and was positively influenced by Otis’ impassioned plea- this would spark a revolutionary fervor in him and many others in Boston and throughout the colony.
Perhaps the most famous historic event associated with the Old State House was a tragic event that occurred on March 5, 1770. Multiple interactions between British soldiers and colonists occurred throughout that day, which included an altercation between rope maker Samuel Gray and a lone soldier. Later that evening, some boys taunted a British soldier who guarded the nearby Custom House on King Street, which escalated when the guard struck one of the boys (other accounts state that it was only one boy who encountered the soldier or that armed men wandered the streets in search of soldiers to taunt and harass). This led to a gathering of angry local citizens, to include sailors and other laborers from the area. Shortly thereafter, seven British soldiers under command of Captain Thomas Preston arrived to assist the lone soldier on guard.
The scene grew even more confused when bells throughout the city rang, which usually signified that there was a fire. This caused a flood of colonists into the streets and added to the mayhem, as the mix of nervous British troops and confused and angry citizens escalated into a physical confrontation. Amidst a hail of snow balls, bricks, and the swinging of sticks, the soldiers ensured their muskets were loaded, as Captain Preston feverishly attempted to quell the crowd. At one point, one of the soldiers was struck and consequently, he fired his musket into the crowd. This led the other soldiers to fire into the crowd, which left nine wounded and five dead in the streets before the Custom House and State House: Samuel Gray, Samuel Maverick, James Caldwell, Crispus Attucks, and Patrick Carr. These five victims were buried in the Old Granary Burying Ground in Boston (along with 12-year-old Christopher Snider, who was killed by Loyalist Ebenezer Richardson during a protest outside his home on February 22, 1770).
Thankfully, the Old State House survived the British occupation and eventual evacuation on March 17, 1776. On July 18, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was read by Colonel Thomas Crafts from the east balcony to a joyful crowd below- the first reading of the declaration to the people of Boston. Following this, the iconic lion and unicorn statues that adorned the roof of the building were torn down and burned in the street.
Following the American Revolution, the building served as the Massachusetts State House until 1798. During this post-war period, newly- elected President George Washington visited Boston and the Old State House. From a special portico at the State House, President Washington greeted Bostonians.
The structure would go on to serve as city hall (1830 – 1841), be used for commercial use for merchants and others, and thankfully, saved from destruction in 1881. From 1881-1882, the historic building was restored and soon opened as a museum (the Boston Marine Society utilized a few of the rooms from 1909-1947). Interestingly, reproductions of the lion and unicorn ornaments that were destroyed in 1776 were again placed atop the Old State House in 1882 as part of the restoration. Beginning in 1904, the State Street MBTA subway station occupied the space beneath the State House, which remains this day.
Interesting Facts
- The Old State House is the oldest public building in the city of Boston
- Today, the State Street subway station (for the MBTA’s Blue and Orange lines) lies beneath the historic Old State House. Access to the subway station is located at the exterior of the building
- On July 11, 1976 (the bicentennial year), Queen Elizabeth II toured the Old State House during a visit to Boston
- The clock on the eastern face of the Old State House was built in 1831 by Simon Willard
- The Old State House has undergone multiple restorations in recent years, to include 2006 and 2008 (when the original 1713 weathervane was re-gilded)
Our Visit & Recommendations
Boston’s Old State House (206 Washington Street) is one of the premier stops along the Freedom Trail and is a Boston National Historical Park partner site. Today, the Old State House offers a unique museum experience for locals and visitors alike! We have been lucky to walk the Freedom Trail on multiple occasions and have visited the Old State House Museum a few times (pricing is located on the NPS website).
As we approached to the Old State House for the first time, we were struck by the towering buildings of Boston’s financial district that surrounded it- yet the majesty of the Old State House shines forth. Across the street from the Old State House is a red sign that discusses the infamous “Boston Massacre” that took place in front of the building on March 5, 1770 and in front of the building is a circular stone marker dedicated to that fateful incident.
The entrance to the Old State House and museum is on the left (south) side of the building. There is a small gift shop in the building along with a front desk to purchase tickets to explore the museum (of note, military is able to get in for free along with multiple guests!). After paying the entrance fee, you will enter the multi-level museum.
The Old State House Museum offers a detailed display with incredible and one-of-a-kind artifacts. The museum walks through Boston’s experience in the tumultuous years that preceded the American Revolution, the history of the Old State House, the role of Royal Governors Francis Bernard and Thomas Hutchinson, and patriot leaders such as Samuel Adams, John Hancock, James Otis, and John Adams.
Be sure to take your time exploring the museum and read all of the detailed information provided. I was especially taken by the many historic artifacts on display throughout the museum.
Some of the unique and remarkable artifacts on display at the Old State House museum include: a 1767 Liberty Tree Flag (which flew from Boston’s liberty tree, before it was chopped down by British troops in 1775), an original 1770 engraving of “The Bloody Massacre perpetrated in King Street” by Paul Revere, a vial of tea from the “Boston Tea Party,” a musket and cannonball from the Battle of Bunker Hill, and an original 1776 broadside of the Declaration of Independence.
After exploring the main museum, be sure to head to the Council Chamber to get a real sense of what colonial governance was like. This captivating room is designed as the Council Chamber would have been in 1764, when the royal government controlled Boston.
The handsomely-adorned Council Chamber has numerous historic items on display, to include: a 1760 tall case clock (built by Gawen Brown), a 1636 painting of King Charles I (by Sir Anthony Van Dyck), a 1684 painting of King James II (by Sir Godfrey Kneller), and Chinese porcelain from the mid-18th century. In this room, it was from the eastern balcony (as seen in the below picture) that the Declaration of Independence was read by Thomas Crafts on July 18, 1776.
The Old State House museum also presents a display titled “Reflecting Attucks,” which explores the under-studied and oft ignored connection between Boston and black communities. This display discusses black freedom and slavery in colonial Boston as well as the role Crispus Attucks and other African Americans played in Boston and the revolution. It also explores the experience of African Americans in the city, including during the post-Civil War period known as Reconstruction. This was an eye-opening and sobering display, which examines an important and woefully studied aspect of early American history.
Boston’s Old State House serves as an exceptional example of colonial architecture and offers a museum experience that is unmatched in New England. Even if you only have a day to explore the entire Freedom Trail, a visit to the Old State House is an absolute must!
Source: https://www.nps.gov/bost/learn/historyculture/osh.htm
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