Old South Meeting House

What an extraordinary experience and displays showcasing the concept of what a “revolutionary place” truly is. Our history is one of protests. This building is a major site of protests. I read a couple of reviews here that made no sense to me. Someone said they didn’t appreciate Black Lives Matter or rainbow flags (even though those were not actually present) but aren’t those all part of something that would be perfectly appropriate here if they were? Black Lives Matter is about a protests, The Old South meeting house was about….protest. One of the reviews went so far to say “Everything seemed to be left leaning with nods to politics and today’s culture.” And my response is, the history of our country is about revolution. There was a wonderful board at the old South meeting house with Post-it notes and pens and a prompt that said, “tell us about a time you stood up for something you believed in“ because that mission and vision is directly aligned with what happened at the old south meeting house. I have posted several of those post-it’s here. And they were not all “left” leaning. Of course, there were some that were left leaning, but some people were protesting some right wing causes as well. The point is that we should be allowed the freedom to protest, regardless of our beliefs, and looking at this wonderful slice of history, shows us that we are still free. Free to protest, Free to look back on what happened to us in our past, and free to make our own path forward and our own choices. And stand up for the values we believe in. The old south meeting house served as a venue for massive public meetings and massive protests. It’s part of our history. And this building and the displays are delightful! I also really enjoyed that they had a little tea area set up so that younger folks could dress up and “spill the tea“. Pro tip: Included with your admission is also a walking tour, so be sure to look at those too, because your pass should be good for a couple of days, so if you miss the walking tour on one of the days, you can go on the second. Bravo for the curators of the old South meeting house.

Activity stations were thoughtfully set up for children aged 2-15 during the February school holidays: a sensory table, a watercolour station, bookmark decoration, reading corner, and a dress-up station with historical costume, which was popular even with young adults! Life-size portraits of historical figures accompanied informative texts could be found all around the hall. Staff were gracious and accommodating towards our baby, engaging him with what resources they could find. We had a very relaxing and enjoyable time there!

A well preserved old building, where you can touch the history. A good tourist destination for both Americans and tourists. You can feel the vibes of the place, look at the rooms and artefacts, watch a video in a dedicated room. For a good wall around you will need about 15 minutes. There is a subway station in a few steps.

We visited on a Wednesday morning in mid-June 2025. We were doing this as part of the Freedom Trail. They did not open until 10AM and we planned out our hike so that we would arrive here just around 10AM. We got here a little early and walked across the street to hang out at the small little park and then did some last min Walgreens shopping as well. We did not have plans to pay to explore the church itself because we had already decided we wanted to do the Old North Church instead. But this was the first site on the trail (if you're doing it in order) that had a National Park Service Passport Cancellation Stamp. You do not have to pay to get access to the stamp. We talked for a couple minutes with the staff here at the front as they were a bit on the shorter side and needed some help getting the large tall doors opened for the day. They were really nice and look like a ton of resources here. Unfortunately we just didn't have the time so we had to pick and choose which place we were going to go in and explore and which places would just be a quick stop to check the box. The cost here was $10 for adult, $8 for seniors and students and $5 for children 12 & under. Also FREE admission to US military and veterans, Massachusetts Teachers and EBT cardholders. They offered Gallery Talks and Walking tours at set times.

For some crazy reason there are some people out there who tend to overlook this place. We don't understand why. It's one of the most important locations in the early days of the American revolution. Even the Boston Tea Party was planned here.

The Old South Meeting House Museum felt a bit expensive for what’s inside, but the value really comes from being in the actual space where key moments in U.S. history took place. The admission also includes entry to the other Freedom Trail museum, which helps justify the price. The exhibits do a good job walking you through the historical context, making it an educational stop. Whether it’s worth it depends on how interested you are in standing where history happened and learning about the roots of the American Revolution.

What a great experience! I’m going to echo others and recommend you get the dual tickets! It’s such a short walk and a lot to learn! I also highly recommend taking a tour!!! I got the Slavery and Resistance tour. It was so good! Informative! I learned alot and it goes to both buildings! We also got to go on the second level in the meeting hall! If you take this tour I recommend going to the meeting hall looking around and then doing the tour before which will lead you to the next building where you can stay and look around! It’s great!!!!! You have to stop here!!!! There’s so much to read and look at! Can’t recommend enough, especially the tour!! So engaging!

Old south meeting house has an amazing museum which is very informative. My friend and I visited this place a few years ago and we had a great experience going through the musuem in detail. We also scheduled a tour through revolutionary spaces and did that as well. At the front desk, they also have passport stamps if you want to collect them. I would definitely check this place out another time. There is also a T located very close to this place, so it is easily accessible by public transportation.

You should absolutely do this. Such a beautiful part of history. And the entrance fee was really cheap too.

Another must stop while on the Freedom Trail. The history alone had me in awe. I'm so happy places like these are preserved. The price to do the self guided tour are incredibly fair, considering how expensive this city can be.

Good for a quick visit. 20-30 minutes tops. Signage throughout the Meeting House was pretty informative.

Staff is super friendly. Very informative. Talked to one lady for at least 45 mins. So much history!!! Old South Meeting House "Sanctuary of Freedom" It was built in 1729 as a Puritan house of worship. As tensions grew with the British colonial government, the Old South Meeting House became the home of free speech in Boston. Members of its congregation included African-American poet Phillis Wheatley who published a book in 1773 while she was enslaved; patriot leaders Samuel Adams and William Otis; William Dawes, who rode with Paul Revere to Lexington in 1775; and the young Benjamin Franklin and his family. On March 6th, 1770, the day after the Boston Massacre, crowds gathered at the Old South Meeting House to object to the incident where British troops killed 5 citizens after shooting at a protest group. On December 16th, 1773, during a debate over the British tea tax, around 5,000 people had crowded into the hall to participate. When the debate failed to reach a solution, Samuel Adams shouted secret code words to his fellow Sons of Liberty members: "This meeting can do nothing more to save the country!" He led the crowd to throw 342 chests ($1 million in today's $$$) of tea into the harbour at Griffin's Wharf. This became known as the Boston Tea Party. In 1775, Dr. Warren arrived to give the annual Boston Massacre oration dressed in a white toga (the attire of a free-born Roman man.) With crowds at the Old South Meeting House overflowing into the streets, British soldiers tried to prevent Warren from entering by blocking the stairs. Warren climbed up a ladder, entered through a back window, and proceeded with his speech. Meanwhile, a British plot to massacre Warren, Hancock, Sam Adams, and others that night failed when the Redcoat who was supposed throw an egg as a signal to draw swords accidentally tripped on his way to the Meeting House and broke the egg. However, the British took revenge against Dr. Warren 3 months later, targeting and killing him during the Battle of Bunker Hill. During the American Revolution, the Old South Meeting Hall suffered devastating destruction when the British tore down most of the internal parts of the building and used it as a riding school. The Old South Meeting Hall survived the 1872 Fire of Boston and later escaped demolition. A determined group of "twenty women of Boston" organized to to save the building from the wrecker's ball: they enlisted famous Bostonians, including Ralph Waldo Emerson, Julia Ward Howe, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and Louisa May Alcott to help.

If you can catch a talk/presentation do it. We have been twice over two years and the kids enjoyed both visits. There is usually someone to answer questions or have a chat about anything on display. It's small and not a ton to do. But the history of the building is long and interesting.

I attended an amazing fundraiser here, very fun and learned a lot about early American history !!

Go upstairs and check out the Old South Meeting House. It is just great. You can feel the history of the place. The staff are wonderful and eager to explain all the of the details of the art and statues. This is a just can't miss for any visitor to Boston or a Bostonian that has not been in a while!

I'm writing this review from the perspective of someone who only had a few days in Boston. Although there is some neat history here, it wasn't anything special. Of all the historic sites we visited, this is probably the top of the list of things that we could have passed on. That being said, the building is cool and it was neat to walk around in it. It seems to need some funding for needed repairs, which was disappointing to see. Hopefully they'll find a way to fix what they need to fix so the building can be preserved for future generations to enjoy and learn.

Very helpful staff, great in-depth knowledge of pre and post-revolutionary events and significance of this historical site. We were lucky enough to speak with Kevin Corey, a staff member, who was extremely knowledgeable, helpful, and gave great insight to both the Old State House and the Old South Meeting House. He even invited us to a special event at the Old South Meeting House, with poetry readings and Christmas music. Would recommend to anyone, and thanks again to Kevin!

The Old South Meeting House is the sixth stop on the Freedom Trail if you start at Boston Commons. This is where the revolutionist met back in the day to plan protest against the British and this is the spot where the Boston Tea Party was launched. Today it serves as a museum, active meeting place, and event center. This a great stop and the museum is definitely worth stopping for a little while.

Pretty interesting history and great preservation. Definitely no parking space. Find a garage

Came here along the Freedom Trail. The back of the meeting house has a bunch of history that you can read. I wish there had been a docent or a presenter to speak about the history to make it more engaging to kids. The condition of the building was great.

The Old South Meeting House was one of my favorite stops on the Freedom Trail (I didn't make it inside them all, though)! As with a lot of places in Boston, the Old South Meeting House has A LOT of history to share: the largest building in colonial Boston, built as a Puritan meeting house, one of the country's first public historic preservation efforts... Congregants of the meeting house included Phillis Wheatley (first published African American poet) and Benjamin Franklin (baptized here). The Old South Meeting House is now open only as a museum (since 1877), and it's well worth a stop. It has been beautifully restored and kept and it has some very interesting signs explaining the history of the building and the events that took place there. While not free, it had a very small admission fee, and I felt it was one of the most interesting (and not at all crowded) stops on the Freedom Trail!

A historical space and mini museum, they have details of the building and the history it existed through.

Kevin was awesome! He went above and beyond for us!! The staff is super friendly highly recommend!

This is a worthy stop in a good location near the common in Downtown Crossing. The guide was really nice and there was plenty of information posted to read about the history.

Although now a museum, back during the time of the revolution, the Old South Meeting House was a Church and the heart of Boston. An important stop in the Freedom Trail, this was the place where the famous Boston Tea Party was planned. During the revolution, as punishment the British commandeered and occupied the building. They destroyed much of the interior, stole other items, filled it with dirt and turned it in a horse stable. Certainly somewhere to stop by if your on vacation in Boston and want to see the historic sites.

The Old South Meeting House is one of the landmarks featured as part of the Boston Go pass. It's was a place of significant import during the American Revolution. When you visit here, you'll learn the story of how the building was preserved, and eventually became a symbol of free speech. There are numerous, informative placards on display as part of the exhibit. Tip: It's easy to visit here as part of walk along Boston's Freedom Trail. The building isn't all the large, and not particularly impressive from the outside. In the heart of Boston, it's easy to find and very much worth a visit. Bottom line: This building is nicely laid out, and a visit here will keep you interested and provide lots of historical information. It's totally worth spending a half hour or so here.

I thought this was a interesting museum. The displays were well thought out and informative.

One of my favorite stops on the Freedom Trail (don't be cheap, pay the admission and go inside). This is an amazing building, very interesting. Don't be shy...ask a volunteer to tell you something about the place. A college-aged guy who was there during my visit explained many things I would have otherwise missed (all in about 20 minutes). Step into history...visit the Old South Meeting House. 4.5 stars.

Built in 1729, Boston's Old South Meeting House was the heart of city life, and the organizing place for many key events of the American Revolution, including the 1773 Boston Tea Party. Today, it's one of the most important stops on the historic Freedom Trail, and well worth a visit. Step inside the church's large sancturary, and absorb the momentous debates that occurred here -- debates that would birth a nation and change the course of world history. Settle into one of the oversized pews and imagine this place in March of 1771, when a crowd filled the hall to commemorate the first anniversary of the Boston Massacre, and hear from speakers like John Hancock. Imagine this room being used as a horse riding academy after British troops gutted the interior in 1775, as retribution for its use as an organizing place for the coming revolution. And imagine General George Washington standing in the church's balcony after the British surrendered Boston, lamenting the building's desecration -- and promising it would be rebuilt. A visit to the Old South Meeting House won't take more than 30 minutes or so, but the opportunity to immerse yourself in the church's fascinating Revolutionary history is a must for anyone paying a visit to Boston.

Mongo like old building. A lot. Mongo sit in old seat. Mongo learn that this is place Boston Tea Party start. Once upon a time...People say no more tax on tea. People dress up as Indians. People go to harbor. People climb ships. People find all the tea. People throw tea off ships. Now people have no more tea. And war started. And the people were happy? Mongo confused. Mongo sing... Picture you upon Mongo knee Just tea for two and two for tea Just Mongo for you And you for Mongo alone. (mic drop)

Worth the visit! Lots of history. Jim was great!!! He was very knowledgeable and can answer any questions!

An absolute gem that has stood the test of time. Literally. Standing by the front portico where the first Declaration was read and imagining how wooded and sparse this area would have been, to the deadly Boston Massacre and the memorial plate in the ground. To standing inside the Museum and hearing & FEELING the shaking of the "T" running under your feet, it's amazing this small building surrounded by giants is still standing. A wonderful collection of information and artifacts that I totally enjoyed reading and browsing. If you are going to really take advantage of the museum plan some time, there are a lot of reading plaques. The museum staff were all friendly and answered any questions with ease. Great experience. So great I forgot to take pictures!

HISTORY HAPPENED HERE A LOT! Did the Boston pass to see this place and it was so cool to see their exhibits. Must do for any history die-hards.

This was one of our favorite shops during our Boston vacation. Actually went twice. Some real history here.

Attended a beautiful wedding ceremony here in August. Great space and elegant period details. The site is welcoming to diverse couples of every faith and I thought it was the perfect venue for my friend and her bride. Plenty of seating and a pretty brick exterior. They had a band and the acoustics were great. Perfect central location as well (they had their reception at the Central Bistro nearby).

Our first stop on the Freedom Trail! We were able to buy tickets for three of the official sites on the Freedom Trail here, which includes admission to Old South Meeting House, the Old State House, and Paul Revere's House. These tickets never expire, so you can save them and come back at another time if you want. The Old South Meeting House is a meeting house for the Puritans to worship. It was the largest building in Boston at the time, and it is most famous for being the organizing point for the Boston Tea Party on December 16, 1773. On that day, 5,000 colonists met at the Old South Meeting House to decide what to do with the taxable tea sitting at Griffin's Wharf. After failing to have the tea sent back to England, Samuel Adams stated, "This meeting can do nothing more to save the country." These words were rumored to be a secret signal to the Sons of Liberty to walk down to Griffin's Wharf and dump the tea into the harbor, marking the start of the Boston Tea Party. As you can see, there is just so much history and colonial significance in this place! And the interior is really beautiful, especially since it's arranged in the traditional New England meeting house style. This is definitely a must stop on the Freedom Trail.

One of the larger and the earlier Freedom Trail stop, Old South Meeting House played a significant role in shaping the American Revolution by hosting important discussions including the mourning for Boston Massacre and the plotting of Boston Tea Party. I bet you didn't know this place also held other important talks even after Revolution! At least I didn't until I explored the Meeting House. After you paid your admission, you will access the upper level of the Meeting House, which has a speaker platform in front of pews. Behind the pews are exhibits that explain the history of Old South Meeting House from its conception all the way to the modern time, so you can understand what you are seeing and where you are standing. I thought it was pretty cool to be able to be in the same room where important discussion have taken place! Even if I didn't care about history, the building interior was awesome to see too. The admission is paid, but I strongly recommend you to buy the combo ticket of three sites' admission (This, Old State House, and Paul Revere House) for $13 especially if you are walking the Freedom Trail.

From the outside view of the Old South Meeting House, it just looks like a simple brown storied building that happens to be #9 of the Freedom Trail (after #8 which is the Old Corner Book Store). But when you actually go inside and pay for the tour to go in, the inside is justly simply beautiful. Every little detail was put into the design of the place and you can tell from every nook and cranny of the Meeting House. This meeting house does hold a lot of history in the U.S. and definitely is worth the tour if you have time! Just a tip for #8; you can easily walk from #7 to #9 and accidentally miss the Old Corner Book Store since it no longer is easily marked and identifiable as the Book Store but has been replaced by another store for now; just walk back a little across the street from the Boston Irish Famine Memorial and it should be there!)

I've lived in Boston for 8 years and finally went inside the Old South Meeting House. I wish I had sooner! The history is laid out along the walls and there are activity sheets to make it interactive. Some of the pews on the back wall (where the history is) appear to be missing as some of the numbered pews couldn't be found. The building is stunning and full of history. The admission price is incredibly reasonable - we paid less than $20 for three adults. If you're in Boston, or live in Boston and have not been here, it is well worth it!

I LOVE being where history happened. And this building has it in spades! The Boston Tea Party started from here. Harriet Beecher Stowe read the Emancipation Proclamation from here when it became law. It's a MUST GO for any history buff while visiting Boston.

The admission fee goes to a great cause, because this is a wonderful building. There's not much to the "museum" part of the main floor, but there is a bunch of interesting facts and information about the history of the location and its role in our country. The space itself exudes historical significance, and it's a treat to sit in the bench boxes and just look around and imagine the past.

Came here on a free museum day and it was well worth it! Not sure if I'd normally pay the entrance fee, but if there's any day that's either reduced or free, definitely, definitely take advantage! This is one of those places, like so many in Boston, that basically looks like a brick house on the outside--completely not eye catching--and you walk in just astounded by the size of the inside! The paying area to the hallway is tiny and narrow and you think, "well this might not be worth my time compared to all the other Freedom Trail things to see..." BUT PATIENCE GRASS HOPPER. As you enter the door, the place completely opens up. White painted wooden benches, statues and artifacts lining the back hallway including items from Jefferson's personal collection! It really gets you into that historical mood and transports you back into time. The Old South Meeting House has gone through a couple of changes for its use through the years, so there's lots to learn! There's so much to learn that if you're a really big history buff, give yourself 2-3 hours because you'll be reading all the tiny scribbles of writing and then next thing you know...you'll be in a full blown conversation with the many workers roaming the place. COME, SEEK KNOWLEDGE. America! On your way out, check out the used book store that's just outside the exit on the side of the house. It doesn't have a whole lot to do with the meeting house itself, but it's got that lovely old-book smell if you just wanted to savor that vintage feel lingering on your shoes.

The old south meeting house is a nice little trip back in time to remind us how we got where we are. There is so much history in this building even though the museum itself is not big. It was very informative and interesting but definitely A LOT to read. I spent more time reading than interacting with and taking in the things displayed. I learned a lot and was reminded of how things were before my time. Some of the great and not so great things that happened which made this country into what it is now. It's good to take a step back and see it all in perspective, especially during these difficult times where we find ourselves asking where did we go wrong? Maybe we could take a lesson in History to stop ourselves from making the same mistakes or maybe history will repeat itself. One thing I know is that I really appreciated this museum/meeting house and seeing it being used currently to make a difference in the real world makes me happy. Be the change you want to see.

Honestly I find this to be a church and not a "meeting house". Then again a few hundred years ago, I am sure they were blended into the same thing. Definitely a nice spot to kewl off in the shade for a bit during the summer. The trees provide a bunch of welcome shade and thus intensify the cooling effect... So it is well worth a stop when traipsing along the Freedom Trail. This particular church presented some interesting differences. The boxes had seats wrapping around inside the booth. Some of the boxes were similar to pews and went across the length of the area.. Definitely something new and interesting. The second floor had some pews as well as a nice commanding view of the lower section. I believe I would rather attend an event on the edge of the balcony than anywhere on the lower tier. Even the raised boxes in the rear (they seem to be on a dias). I didnt make it to the top tier, so I am not positive but I believe that there was another set of pews there as well. Overall this place is oozing a lot of American history. Alot of things were "conspired" or planned here depending on your viewpoint. It is well worth the stop while exploring this city.

This is the gorgeous church thing on washington st, near downtown crossing. The sound here is fantastic, the location is fantastic, the lighting is beautiful. I had the opportunity to sing here last week and I felt, due to the acoustics, it was one of my best a capella performances. There is the ground lever, with a good number of pews. Then there is a top floor balcony with more seating. Downstairs there is a museum area. LOVE this place! I would consider getting married here!

Great building that was saved from demolition by a group of dedicated citizens, the exterior is very plain. The interior, however, has a great little exhibit about people who have attended church here or spoken here. Apparently there is an audio tour that you can use, also. Who knew so many controversial people came here to talk? The gift shop downstairs has some unique items that would totally work for a mother's day present.

We went to a wedding here Saturday, and it was a stellar spot: historic, well-located, beautiful. Cozy booths encouraged guests to socialize because some of the seats faced one another. This was the site of the protest meetings that led to the Boston Tea Party. I felt such revolutionary fervor and annoyance at Washington DC's taxation without representation. An odd thing to think about during a wedding.

As I've Yelped before, I've spent my entire career working in the heritage industry. I love immersing myself into the sites and places where our stories and history was shaped. Old South is one such place. As one of the few sites on the Freedom Trail that charges an entry fee, I've been told visitors skip Old South in favor of the free sites along the Trail. Such a shame! Next time you're in Downtown Crossing, plunk a few bucks on the counter and go in! The site is historic and the interior gorgeous and serene. It is a very different space than Old North; much more of a meeting house in the Puritan and Congregational traditions. More importantly, this place is ground zero for free speech in Boston. The people and events that center around this place are inspirational. So, for those of you accessing the heritage of Boston via the Freedom Trail, don't miss out on Old South!

I visited Old South Meeting House this morning. It's a pretty nice place, with a lot of information about the history of the building and Boston. If you've already been inside some of the other places along the freedom trail, though, it might not be worth the stop unless you're really into history and want to see it because of the various important meetings that took place there. I probably wouldn't go back unless I have visitors who really want to see it.

Broke down and shelled out the cash for the discount pass that lets you get in here and two other Freedom Trail must-see structures. Very cool meeting hall inside that's all restored. Along the edges of the meeting hall are some great displays about the Revolution and the House itself. Downstairs are bathrooms and a gift shop. I'm glad I paid to go inside. Don't be cheap.

The Old South Meeting House is an interesting piece of history in that this was where the patriots met before deciding to throw the Boston Tea party. Though the exhibit is small and just a few glass cases, I enjoyed learning about how the building was re-purposed later on into a forum area for community lectures and debates. I will say that the admission price is worth it just to view the austere but lovely interior where Benjamin Franklin was baptized. And if you're planning on completing the freedom trail, buy the three-in-one ticket (Old State House, Paul Revere's House, Old South Meeting House) online to save a few bucks!

It sure is an old church. All things Paul revere. It's a great historical place. Afterwards you can walk the freedom trail.

6 bucks for adults. Acceptable price for maintenance up descent to walk around and read excerpts.

Another fascinating stop on the Freedom Trail. It is most famous for being the site from which Samuel Adams and the group launched the Boston Tea Party. Since then, it has been dedicated to hosting meetings for free speech, so they often have controversial speakers. The British controlled the house for awhile, and they destroyed a lot of the original pews and the like, so the interior looks slightly different from the other churches on the trail. There is a nice exhibit in the back that focuses on the history of the structure and on the Boston Tea Party. Another great stop to learn more about the events and times of the American Revolution!

This was where the plans to have the boston tea party started. That alone makes this place a 5 star! There are places along the trail that have some significance and there are these which have a much more resounding affect on the whole revolution.

It's pretty amazing when you consider all the historical events that have a link to this place. The museum portion is very interesting, lots of stuff to read. It's probably not the best museum for kids who can't read because that's really the main thing, nothing too interactive, just a lot of intriguing reading. The space itself is really pretty. Love all the old pews.

Great small quiet museum where you will learn a ton of American history. Gift shop is very nice and there is a wonderful yarn shop hidden away there, too. Not sure what that's about but if you're a knitter, you'll be delighted. . . . and bathrooms. Enjoyable for kids but not small kids.