19 North Square
617-523-2338
www.paulreverehouse.org
The name of Paul Revere haunts
the historical memory of most Americans, not least because of
Longfellow’s poem – the romantic rendering of Paul Revere’s
Ride. History aside, the Paul Revere House is worth a visit. As
the oldest existing home in Boston, just touring its rooms gives
visitors a sense of American history. Culturally, the house
demonstrates clearly the living conditions in the 18th
century.
Not to say that Revere himself
wasn’t an interesting figure. He did make that ride to warn
Samuel Adams and John Hancock about the approach of the British
army. The battle that took place the next morning in Lexington
began with the "shot heard ‘round the world". At the
time, Revere worked in Boston as a silversmith and engraver and
was responsible, among other things, for a broadsheet that
condemned the so-called Boston Massacre.
The house, built in 1680, was
sold to the Revere family in 1770. In turn, Revere sold it in
1800, at which point the house was converted to multiple use
(the ground floor became shops) and eventually fell into
disrepair. Purchased in 1902 by Revere’s great grandson, and
turned over to the Paul Revere Memorial Association, it has been
preserved and furnished with period pieces, many of which
belonged to Paul Revere and his family.
Two rooms up and two rooms down,
the house is tiny by modern standards, but in its day it was
considered spacious. The wood-frame house, complete with crooked
floors and a tightly cornered stairway, is almost 90% the
original structure. On the first floor, the entrance is through
the kitchen. It’s not hard to imagine what it was like to
prepare meals here. From there, proceed to the other three
rooms. Upstairs, take note that the parlor was also the master
bedroom.
This self-guided tour is loaded
with information. Members of the staff are available to offer
tidbits of information and answer questions. On display are some
of the items owned by Revere and his family, including some of
his creations in silver. Although the Reveres lived here during
the Revolution and beyond, the structure itself is colonial; its
deep sage green color incongruously nestled among the brick
buildings in its North End neighborhood.
In the courtyard grows an herb
garden, much as Sarah Revere might have kept it herself. An
adjacent house, the Pierce - Hichborn House is owned by the
Association but can be seen by guided tour only. Call ahead to
find out when tours are available. The Paul Revere house is a
stop on the Freedom Trail. It is privately owned and managed in
cooperation with the National Park Service, but there is an
admission charge.
Hours:
April 15 - October 31: 9:30-5:15
November 1 – April 14:
9:30-4:15
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas,
New Year’s Day
Closed Mondays in January,
February, March
Admission:
Adults: $2.50
Seniors: $2.00
Students: $2.00
Children 5-17: $1.00
