Old State House

The Old State House was the seat of British Government before the Revolution and afterwards served as the Commonwealth’s first capitol building, with the office of the state’s first governor, John Hancock. Located at the crossroads of the city’s two main streets, the Townhouse, as it was then called, was the center of Boston’s civic, commercial, and political life. The distinctive cupola was once the tallest point in town, and the building’s façade was topped by the lion and unicorn, symbols of royal authority that were torn down and burned after the Declaration of Independence was read to the people of Boston from the building’s balcony in 1776.

Some of the most significant events leading up to the Revolution took place inside and around this handsome Georgian structure, and many of the basic concepts underlying American government were first voiced within its walls. In its Assembly Hall, Samuel Adams urged resistance to taxation imposed without representation. In its Council Chamber a defiant James Otis railed against unwarranted search and seizure, in a speech that later prompted John Adams to declare that Then and there the child independence was born. Outside its doors the Boston Massacre unfolded in 1770, resulting in the deaths of five men, and galvanizing public opposition to British authority.

The Old State House is today maintained as an historic site and museum by the Bostonian Society.

Freedom Trail Foundation tours that cover this site:
Walk Into History Tour
Reverse Walk Into History Tour
Historic Holiday Stroll
African-American Patriots Tour

Old State House/Bostonian Society
206 Washington Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
(617) 720-1713
Website
Open daily 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; January 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.; July and August 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Admission charged

LIFE, LIBERTY AND PURSUIT On July 18, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was read for the first time to the public in Massachusetts from the balcony of the Old State House. Abigail Adams was there, and wrote to her husband John ...great attention was given to Colonel Kraft’s every word. As soon as he ended ..., three cheers rended the air..... Thus ends royal authority in this state, and all the people shall say Amen.

SIGNATURE ITEMS Included in the Bostonian Society’s collection displayed in the Old State House is the red velvet suit that John Hancock is believed to have worn when he was sworn in as the governor of Massachusetts. Other items include a vial of tea saved from the Boston Tea Party, as well as the Liberty Tree flag and a lantern hung to signal meetings of the Sons of Liberty, silver works by Paul Revere, a musket used at the Battle of Lexington, and a drum from the Battle of Bunker Hill.

Home •Visit The Freedom Trail •Education •Calendar •About The Foundation
Sign-up to receive updates on upcoming Freedom Trail events and tours – view full calendar –	Home > Visitor > Old State House Old State House The Old State House was the seat of British Government before the Revolution and afterwards served as the Commonwealth’s first capitol building, with the office of the state’s first governor, John Hancock. Located at the crossroads of the city’s two main streets, the Townhouse, as it was then called, was the center of Boston’s civic, commercial, and political life. The distinctive cupola was once the tallest point in town, and the building’s façade was topped by the lion and unicorn, symbols of royal authority that were torn down and burned after the Declaration of Independence was read to the people of Boston from the building’s balcony in 1776. Some of the most significant events leading up to the Revolution took place inside and around this handsome Georgian structure, and many of the basic concepts underlying American government were first voiced within its walls. In its Assembly Hall, Samuel Adams urged resistance to taxation imposed without representation. In its Council Chamber a defiant James Otis railed against unwarranted search and seizure, in a speech that later prompted John Adams to declare that Then and there the child independence was born. Outside its doors the Boston Massacre unfolded in 1770, resulting in the deaths of five men, and galvanizing public opposition to British authority. The Old State House is today maintained as an historic site and museum by the Bostonian Society. Freedom Trail Foundation tours that cover this site: Walk Into History Tour Reverse Walk Into History Tour Historic Holiday Stroll African-American Patriots Tour Old State House/Bostonian Society 206 Washington Street Boston, Massachusetts 02109 (617) 720-1713 Website Open daily 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; January 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.; July and August 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Admission charged LIFE, LIBERTY AND PURSUIT On July 18, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was read for the first time to the public in Massachusetts from the balcony of the Old State House. Abigail Adams was there, and wrote to her husband John ...great attention was given to Colonel Kraft’s every word. As soon as he ended ..., three cheers rended the air..... Thus ends royal authority in this state, and all the people shall say Amen. SIGNATURE ITEMS Included in the Bostonian Society’s collection displayed in the Old State House is the red velvet suit that John Hancock is believed to have worn when he was sworn in as the governor of Massachusetts. Other items include a vial of tea saved from the Boston Tea Party, as well as the Liberty Tree flag and a lantern hung to signal meetings of the Sons of Liberty, silver works by Paul Revere, a musket used at the Battle of Lexington, and a drum from the Battle of Bunker Hill.