Why You Should Go...

Constructed in 1713, the Old State House was the center of royal government in the Massachusetts Bay Colony and the focal point for many of the Revolution’s most dramatic events.

The Boston Massacre unfolded in its shadow on March 5, 1770, and eyewitness accounts were collected inside in the subsequent days. The Declaration of Independence was read for the first time in Boston from the balcony of the Old State House on July 18, 1776.

It then became the first capitol of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts until 1798. The Old State House is the oldest surviving public building in Boston.

Discover historic period rooms filled with multi-sensory exhibits, beautiful art, and important artifacts. Sit in the Royal Governor's chair inside the Council Chamber and experience what it was like to be the most powerful person in colonial Massachusetts.

Explore at your own pace or listen to one of our gallery talks, offered by our knowledgeable and friendly staff several times throughout the day. Or attend one of our thematic walking tours, which delve even deeper into Boston’s history.

Why You Should Go...

Constructed in 1713, the Old State House was the center of royal government in the Massachusetts Bay Colony and the focal point for many of the Revolution’s most dramatic events.

The Boston Massacre unfolded in its shadow on March 5, 1770, and eyewitness accounts were collected inside in the subsequent days. The Declaration of Independence was read for the first time in Boston from the balcony of the Old State House on July 18, 1776.

It then became the first capitol of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts until 1798. The Old State House is the oldest surviving public building in Boston.

Discover historic period rooms filled with multi-sensory exhibits, beautiful art, and important artifacts. Sit in the Royal Governor's chair inside the Council Chamber and experience what it was like to be the most powerful person in colonial Massachusetts.

Explore at your own pace or listen to one of our gallery talks, offered by our knowledgeable and friendly staff several times throughout the day. Or attend one of our thematic walking tours, which delve even deeper into Boston’s history.

What You Should Know...

Open: Year-Round

Hours: Open Now. Closes 05:00 pm

10:00am - 05:00pm, Daily

Cost: Less than $25

Payment: Cash, MC, Visa, AMEX, Discover

Discounts: Children, Seniors, Military

Access: Public Transportation, Service Animals

Parking: Street

Available: Self-Guided Tour, Guided Tour, Private Tour, Wi-fi, Gift Shop

State Street Station (Orange and Blue Lines on the MBTA) runs through the basement of the Old State House, providing very easy access to public transportation.

The Old State House features exhibits on three floors of the building, accessible by staircase only.

The people of Boston first heard the Declaration of Independence when it was read from the balcony of the Old State House in July of 1776. The reading is now an annual tradition.

Following the Boston Massacre, the Royal Governor and his Council had to find a way to prevent further bloodshed. The Council Chamber in which they met has been restored and features all-ages hands-on exhibits.

The lion and unicorn on the roof were installed as symbols of British rule, but were torn down and burned at the start of the Revolution. Replicas were put up in the late 1800s, and a time capsule was discovered in the lion's head in 2014.