There’s more than a whiff of
Whig about the Old State House, Boston’s oldest public
building, erected in 1723 as the seat of British colonial
government. A high point on the historic Freedom Trail, the red
brick monument stands as a reminder of both colonial rule and
the staggered steps to its violent overthrow.
Outside, the British lion and
unicorn rear up on opposing stepped gables. A fine cupola rising
from the middle of the building is topped by a golden
weathervane.
Inside, visitors can peer through
the Council Chamber window above King Street (renamed State
Street after the revolution) and see the infamous spot where
eight British soldiers opened fire on an angry mob in 1770,
killing five colonists, including Crispus Attucks, a runaway
slave. Sitting in front of the East Balcony, a reproduction of
Paul Revere’s popular hand-colored engraving of the Boston
Massacre — showing the Redcoats lined up and firing on command
— deliberately distorted the facts and inflamed the colonists’
anger.
Today the Old State House is
Boston’s History Museum, a site on the Freedom Trail operated
by the Bostonian Society and maintained by the Boston National
Historic Park. A continuously running eight-minute video gives
an abbreviated history of the Old State House and its central
role in colonial life and events. Close captioned video and
large print exhibit test are available.
Hours:
9 am-5pm Daily
Admission:
Adults: $3
Students and Seniors: $2
Children: 6-18: $1
Under 6 free
