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The Old State House stands witness to the Boston Massacre. “The Bloody Massacre perpetrated in King Street, Boston, March 5, 1770, by a party of the 29th Regiment” from a copperplate engraving by Paul Revere. Explore at your own pace and enjoy tours and performances led by fun, interactive guides or fully-costumed Revolutionary Characters.
- Events
- Architecture
- Significance
- Facts
- Battle
On a cold March night in 1770, a beleaguered squadron of British soldiers opened fire in front of this royal building, killing five and wounding many others. By the next morning, leaders called the event a \"bloody massacre.\" Six years later, shots were heard again in the square. But this time it was in celebration. On July 18, 1776, Bostonians ga...
Built in 1713, the \"Town House\" served as a merchants' exchange on the first floor and the seat of colonial and later state government on the second floor throughout the 1700s. The royal governor, appointed by the King of Great Britain, held his office in the building until 1775, and from the balcony gave voice to the King 3000 miles removed from...
In another chamber sat the highest court of the colony. In 1761 James Otis opposed the Writs of Assistance before the court, arguing that the writs violated the constitutional liberties of Englishmen. Though he lost the case, it left a lasting impression on a young lawyer named John Adams who attended the proceedings. Later Adams would write that \...
Both Otis and Adams, as well as Adams' cousin Samuel and merchant John Hancock would also serve as representatives in the Massachusetts provincial legislature. Samuel Adams and James Otis proved to be among some of the most notorious members, arguing for measures which increasingly created friction with the royal governor and his supporters. In 176...
A cobblestone circle beneath the Old State House balcony marks the site of the 1770 Boston Massacre. The incident began with local boys taunting a British sentry on a cold March night. When the sentry struck one of the boys, the situation quickly escalated. Mobs of laborers, sailors, and others of \"the lower sort\" joined into the confrontation. S...
With one ticket, explore two of Boston’s most iconic sites—Old South Meeting House and Old State House. Inside these historic treasures, you’ll find thought-provoking exhibits, engaging gallery talks, exciting educational experiences, and knowledgeable experts ready to answer all your Revolutionary history questions.
Explore Boston on foot with this small group (or private) walking tour. See highlights like Boston Harbor, Custom House Tower, Faneuil Hall, and Quincy Market. Learn the true story behind the Boston Massacre, and if you’re lucky, get a glimpse of government in action at the Massachusetts State House.
Site of the Boston Massacre. Plan Your Visit. Constructed in 1713, the Old State House (known as the “Town House” until the Revolution) was the center of royal government in Massachusetts Bay Colony and the focal point for many of the Revolution’s most dramatic events.
Free admission. Today: Loading... All operating hours and seasons. Ranger-led programming and tours available seasonally. The Great Hall is accessible via the elevator on the southern side of the building. Old South Meeting House. Boston National Historical Park Partner Site.
Old State House: Our most recommended tours and activities. 1. Boston: Hop-on Hop-off Old Town Trolley Tour. Enjoy a hop-on hop-off tour aboard Boston’s charming orange and green Old Town Trolley and visit more than 100 points of interest in the city at your own pace.
