Old State House — Attraction in Boston

The Old State House is the photo spot that represents the Boston skyline. It is also the photo spot that represents where the old meets the new or you could say where modernism meets historical. At the corner of State and Washington Streets and along the Boston Freedom Trail, the oldest surviving building in Boston is drafted by the modern high rises of the Financial District. It is a photo spot where you are enveloped in the past and the future.

The Old State House has a rich past that dates back to 1713. In its early years it served as the house of Colonial British Government up to 1776. After the birth of the United States of America the Old State House would serve as the house of Massachusetts government, City of Boston Government, a produce market, merchants exchange, Masonic Lodge, and after 1881 as a history museum operated by the Boston Society and a downtown subway station. To add icing on top of the rich cake that is filled with history, the Old State House was the site of the Boston Massacre.

Before stepping foot on Boston soil, I was determined to spend time in the shadow of the Old State House. Because it was on the cover of a travel book I didn't search hard to find it. Likewise when I vacationed in Boston I didn't search hard to find it from the Beacon Hill Wyndham.

When I walked from the Beacon Hill Wyndham toward the Government Center and downtown, the leading footage of the walk was along the transition zone of Cambridge Street. As soon as the wide arterial made the curve toward State Street, the road narrowed to a pedestrian scale with the architecture drastically turning interesting along the Freedom Trail corridor. There were a few times that when we did this walk that we would stop to take in the historical architecture of the Old State House.

The architecture just makes a Boston adventurer stop, corroborate, and listen. The brick building topped by the Colonial style tower brings my mind to 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was read from the East facing balcony in 1776. Admiring the British unicorn and lion the royal symbol of Britain on the east facing brick facade brought my mind to the 1700s when Britain ruled the law of the land. When I stood at the west facing side, it brought my mind to the patriotic spirit of Boston when I took in the the gold sculpture of the eagle. When I stood by the south facing brick wall I was reminded of the Boston Massacre when I read the plaque. When I returned to the east facing side I would officially step on the site of the Boston Massacre. The site is notated with a circle of cobblestones. Inside the Old State House is a museum that tells the story of the National Historic site.

The Old State House is a major stop on the Boston Freedom Trail. As a matter of fact following the Boston Freedom Trail a few stops Southwest leads by the new Massachusetts State House. From State Street the thoroughfare that ends up at the Waterfront, there were a few times that we hooked up to the Boston Freedom Trail by means of the Old State House. It is one of the jewels along the necklace of the long and windy brick walkway that is the Boston Freedom Trail. It is ridiculously close to Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market, the Old Meeting House and a short walk to the North End and Boston Commons. The Old State House was also a coffee and breakfast stop for us when we sat in Pret A Manger looking out the window toward the south facing brick wall.

The Old State House is a National Historic landmark that never gets old. It just...

The Old State House (US$10 per adult) is one of the important stops on the Freedom Trail in Boston. Here you will find a very good American Revolutionary Museum which spells on in good detail the events leaving up to the American Revolution, including the infamous Boston Massacre which happened just outside this building. Opening Hours are 9-5pm daily.

The Old State House was built in 1713, making it one of the oldest standing and functioning buildings in the United States. This was original seat of power colony of New England's, a national landmark and another nice example of Georgian period architecture that you can see in this area of Boston.

Within the Old State House, you will find a gift shop with a large collection of Freedom Trail souvenirs, similar to what you will see at the Faneuil Market. You then visit the rooms which house the American Revolutionary Museum collection.

The museum collection is a comprehensive set of displays which detail events as they occurred and led to the American Revolution from the British Crown. There are historical items, paintings and furniture on show as well, helping bring the information to life. You can browse the displays that are of interest and see all in 20-30 minutes or give more attention to them and easily find yourself here for an hour or more.

We found the upstairs rooms, decorated with period furnishings to be particularly interesting. There are a couple of rooms with interactive and hands-on experiences which children will enjoy more than the traditional museum inclusions at the Old State House.

Note: There are free tours of this historic building every 30 minutes starting on the ground floor. Attending one of these might be a good way to experience the Old State House if you don't fancy an independent visit as much.

In the end, we felt the $10 entry fee was steep for this attraction but having saved a bit by purchasing the Freedom Trail combo ticket (see below), we didn't mind. The museum collection helps visitors build up an understanding of New England during the American Revolutionary period, something that is important when it comes to getting the most of your visit to the Freedom Trail attractions.

Note: At the Old State House, you can buy a combo ticket ($16 per adult) that includes entrance into the Old South Meeting Hall and the Paul Revere House, giving you a $3 savings compared to buying each ticket...

Old State House in Boston

The Old State House in Boston, located at 60 State Street, stands as a testament to the city’s rich history and played a pivotal role in the shaping of the nation. Built in 1713, it is one of the oldest public buildings in the United States and served as the seat of colonial government.

It is said to be one of the most iconic features of the Old State House is the lion and unicorn statues adorning its facade. These symbols of British monarchy were originally placed on the building during its construction, reflecting the colonial ties to England.

Throughout its history, the Old State House witnessed many significant events, including the Boston Massacre in 1770, where British soldiers fired upon a crowd of colonists, sparking outrage and further fueling the flames of revolution. Today, a circle of cobblestones in front of the building marks the site of this tragic event.

In 1776, the Declaration of Independence was read to the citizens of Boston from the balcony of the Old State House, officially severing ties with Great Britain and paving the way for the birth of a new nation.

Despite its historical significance, the Old State House also holds a controversial past. It was here that the Massachusetts Bay Colony passed laws supporting the institution of slavery, a dark chapter in American history that cannot be overlooked.

Visiting the Old State House is a thought-provoking experience, offering insight into the complex and multifaceted history of Boston and the United States. Its striking architecture, rich history, and pivotal role in shaping the nation make it a must-see destination for anyone interested in American history...