Old State House

Old State House in Boston The Old State House in Boston, located at 60 State Street, stands as a testament to the city’s rich history and played a pivotal role in the shaping of the nation. Built in 1713, it is one of the oldest public buildings in the United States and served as the seat of colonial government. It is said to be one of the most iconic features of the Old State House is the lion and unicorn statues adorning its facade. These symbols of British monarchy were originally placed on the building during its construction, reflecting the colonial ties to England. Throughout its history, the Old State House witnessed many significant events, including the Boston Massacre in 1770, where British soldiers fired upon a crowd of colonists, sparking outrage and further fueling the flames of revolution. Today, a circle of cobblestones in front of the building marks the site of this tragic event. In 1776, the Declaration of Independence was read to the citizens of Boston from the balcony of the Old State House, officially severing ties with Great Britain and paving the way for the birth of a new nation. Despite its historical significance, the Old State House also holds a controversial past. It was here that the Massachusetts Bay Colony passed laws supporting the institution of slavery, a dark chapter in American history that cannot be overlooked. Visiting the Old State House is a thought-provoking experience, offering insight into the complex and multifaceted history of Boston and the United States. Its striking architecture, rich history, and pivotal role in shaping the nation make it a must-see destination for anyone interested in American history and culture.

The Old State House in Boston is a fascinating historic site well worth a visit. Although the tour is relatively short, it offers a wealth of exhibits spread over two floors, taking you on a journey from the 1600s through the events leading up to and beyond the Declaration of Independence. With its immense historical significance, this museum provides a deep dive into America's early history for just $12. Despite being a quick tour, often completed in less than 30 minutes, it leaves a lasting impression. I highly recommend it to anyone visiting Boston.

The Old State House was constructed in 1713 and is the oldest still existing public house in Boston. It was seat of colonial government from 1713 to 1776. From the balcony of this building George Washington declared the independence of the 13 colonies from Great Britain to the people of Massachusetts on his tour traveling to all newly independent colonies . Today it is a Museum dedicated to the events that lead to independence, like the Boston Tea Party. Visiting the rooms of this building it really takes you back to colonial times. A must see for each Boston visit.

The Old State House in Boston is a historic gem that transports visitors back to the heart of colonial America. As a history enthusiast, visiting this iconic landmark was an unforgettable experience. The Old State House is a must-visit for anyone interested in American history. It's a place where the echoes of revolutionary debates still linger, offering a profound glimpse into the birth of a nation. I left with a deeper appreciation for Boston's pivotal role in shaping American history.

A really cool piece of architecture and history. This is a great site to visit when exploring Boston and one of the key stops on the Freedom Trail. It is well worth spotting and walking around here when exploring the city.

The Old State House is another example of living history right in the middle of Boston. In all honesty, as you walk around the building today, it's almost hard to imagine those moments you've read about in history books since you were a kid taking place where you're standing. It's fascinating and a bit humbling in the moment if that makes any sense. Like a lot of great Boston landmarks, the Old State House is just right there, in between a lot of more modern buildings.

A lot of great exhibits within the center of government for the Massachusetts colony. Outlines the events that led to the American Revolution, and includes exhibits on how women, Native Americans, and African Americans lived in the colony with limited rights. I found the Boston Tea Party exhibit interesting, especially how it can be compared with other property-destructive protests in U.S. History. Plus there's a station directly underneath the building, making it easy to visit. Can get a combination ticket with the Old South Meeting House, but not as many exhibits in that museum.

Beautiful architecture and magnificent history with this building. To see the building in its size compared to the rest of the city that has grown around it is truly awe inspiring. And to be standing 3 ft away from where the Declaration of Independence was read for the first time ever?...jaw dropping!!!!

We went to a lot of historical places in Boston, and this is definitely a stand out. The museum explores the Boston massacre, the players during Revolutionary times, and the role the building played. In addition, there was a special exhibit on protest that was interesting and provided context into contemporary times. The museum could use some updates with interactive elements - it was a lot of reading - but other than that really excellent. Go

I really enjoyed visiting this very historic site. The exhibits inside are great and it's definitely worth getting the ticket that admits you to this location and one other a few blocks down the street. My favorite part was seeing how many different uses the building had over the years and the number of times it was altered. The lower level is the entrance to a subway station, which is absolutely crazy!

The Old State House is right downtown and a stop along the Freedom Trail. This was the statehouse that was used during the Revolution and is known as the pace where Independence was born. Today, it operates as a museum and gift shop. Yours are cheap and worth the price of admission. Underneath is also the entrance to the State Street Station. From the window inside you can also see the marker for on the ground for the site of the Boston Massacre.

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

We visited the Old State House while on the Freedom Trail and spent a lot of time here. First, I think it's bizarre that there is a subway stop in the basement. But anyway, I thought the exhibits were very interesting and engaging. And on top of that, the staff were wonderful - extremely proactive and helpful in sharing information. As we were there, a staff person invited us into a room upstairs to a long table for a presentation that we really enjoyed. All in all, the building is in good condition and the exhibits & staff were top notch.

This was a beautiful historic building. It did not take a long time to walk through. Admission price was $12. They have a scavenger hunt for kids as they walk through the museum.

I went to The Old State House on a whim with a group of colleagues. I did not know what to expect (as I'm not a history buff), but I was pleasantly surprised. Although small, the building is filled with historical information and interesting things to see. Additionally, there is a subway underneath the building, which I think is pretty cool. I would also like to highlight Megan, the docent working on the main floor during my visit. She is extremely passionate about the subjects showcased in The Old State House, and I learned a lot from listening to what she had to say. I always like seeing people who genuinely care about the work they do, and Megan made my visit memorable.

The site of so much important history for the US. Boston's Old State House was both the office of the British governor for the Massachusetts Colony as well as for a while the office of the American governor for the State of Massachusetts. It is an important part of Boston's freedom trail (which is marked throughout Boston with a red line. I took a picture for reference) as it is the site of the Boston Massacre. This is certainly an important place to visit for any student of history and certainly all Americans should as well as this one was one the watershed events that led to the creation of our republic. Architecturally and aesthetically speaking, it is a beautiful old brick building, and I certainly enjoyed viewing it in my tour of Boston. I enjoy how on one side they symbols of the British Monarch (The lion and the unicorn) contrast with the symbol of America (The eagle). I also love the contrast of this old building set against the backdrop of modern Boston. Personally I loved and laughed when I saw the unicorn as a friend of mine at the time, who will remain unnamed was texting about her obsession with Unicorns (cough cough Marilu cough cough). Another great stop on my vacation!

This was a really good surprise. The guide tour is very good. You can feel that these people are pationate. And cherry on top of the cake it is free for veterans

We were on a bit of a time crunch so we didn't pay for the admission into the State House Museum but we did pop into the store so I could get my National Parks passport cancellation. The Old State House is an official National Parks visitor's center for the Freedom Trail so there's plenty of info about the whole trail and the buildings/spaces that are part of it. The shop has cute knickknacks like shirts, revolutionary war-esque costume pieces for kids, reprints of the declaration of independence, etc. If you're someone who likes to collect these types of items I'd highly recommend a peek in. It's also incredible to walk in the same space that John Adams, John Hancock, and more debated the US Declaration of Independence. As a history nerd I basked in the energy, even if it was super crowded and tight in the common spaces like the spiral staircase and such. I wish we had the time to fully take in the historical aspect in the museum but we know for next time that it's a "must do" on our list.

So much history here. One of the upstairs rooms was closed but is opening a new exhibit July 1st. The staff was so helpful and knowledgeable. I left feeling really impressed!

Wanted to mix some history with our trip to Boston and was pleasantly surprised with the old state house. Not only is it by the site if the Boston Massacre but inside it details all of the events leading up to the American Revolution. Like all museums you need hours worth of time to fully appreciate the cool history that went down there. My wife enjoyed the puzzle

one of the oldest public buildings in the United States... One of the landmarks on Boston's Freedom Trail, it is the oldest surviving public building in Boston, and now serves as a history museum operated by the Bostonian Society. Small, and cramped, but I guess that's what it used to be like, so I can't really blame the structure since it was made years back by ancestors. Lots of history and its part of the freedom trail which is good. The building has been nicely restored and inside it's furnished in the way it would have looked in the early days of Boston. The museum exhibits were well-organized and there were many interesting historical artifacts on display. The short-guided tour was educational and worth the time. You don't need to spend a lot of time at the Old State House, 20 or 30 minutes is more than enough time, so stop by and take in some history. The Boston Massacre spot is just near to it, was an incident in which British Army soldiers shot and killed five people while under attack by a mob. Heard every 4th of July they read the declaration of independence here.

We went on the Free day to this place, so we didn't feel bad missing the upstairs tour. We will go when we come back to Boston. The rooms with the stories and artifacts were bustling and cramped. We were given cards with famous people as ID badges/souvenirs and told to watch for them throughout the exhibit. Good idea to keep people's attention. The use of maps and lights of famous places was a great way to illustrate history. WE were given only ONE coupon in our party for the gift shop, a free tote with any purchase. They must have sensed I am a sucker for a tote bag, so I bought a coaster and collected my bag.

A landmark stop on Boston's famous Freedom Trail, the Old State House sits amidst downtown office towers like a gateway to the past. Dating back to 1712, it the home of the Massachusetts colonial government until American independence, and the state capitol until 1798. Today, after extensive renovation work chronicled within, it stands as a museum of Boston's Revolutionary past -- filled with fascinating exhibits, artifacts, and a recreated Council Chamber. A visit won't take more than an hour or so, but before you leave, be sure to visit the memorial to the Boston Massacre, on the sidewalk under the building's rear balcony. The tragic events that occurred on this spot, on the snowy night of March 5, 1770, would ultimately set in motion the march toward American Independence. Take a few moments to stand here and absorb the importance of this spot in the course of human history -- it's what makes the Old State House one of the most memorable sites in Boston.

I always love visiting the old state house. It's amazing how it's still standing to this day amongst the huge buildings that now dot Boston's skyline. Everyone I take to the city with me is always amazed by it, and it's worth going inside.

We took the tour today with Tomas, who said that he hasn't been doing it long (although we couldn't tell). As it turns out, my family of 3 were the only ones on the tour. Tomas was an excellent guide. He was very knowledgeable and informative and shared lots of details along the tour. He even spent time at the end looking over the old map of the town and telling us about how Boston Common came to be. We learned a lot and were very pleased with the tour.

Loved it!!! I learned so much and the docent was very engaging and kept the whole group interested. It's a must see when in Boston!

If you're a history buff, I'm sure you have visited. It's the first place the constitution was read in Boston, but it really had all of Boston's history. As 70 percent of Boston is buying on land fill- how creepy is it to know it was all built on a land fill. The entrance is on the side and it's $10 to get in. They also made it pretty interactive with some of the displays. Also, they have a speaker every 20 mins or so that covers one of the topics in the main room upstairs. Very informative and cool!

The Old State House is the photo spot that represents the Boston skyline. It is also the photo spot that represents where the old meets the new or you could say where modernism meets historical. At the corner of State and Washington Streets and along the Boston Freedom Trail, the oldest surviving building in Boston is drafted by the modern high rises of the Financial District. It is a photo spot where you are enveloped in the past and the future. The Old State House has a rich past that dates back to 1713. In its early years it served as the house of Colonial British Government up to 1776. After the birth of the United States of America the Old State House would serve as the house of Massachusetts government, City of Boston Government, a produce market, merchants exchange, Masonic Lodge, and after 1881 as a history museum operated by the Boston Society and a downtown subway station. To add icing on top of the rich cake that is filled with history, the Old State House was the site of the Boston Massacre. Before stepping foot on Boston soil, I was determined to spend time in the shadow of the Old State House. Because it was on the cover of a travel book I didn't search hard to find it. Likewise when I vacationed in Boston I didn't search hard to find it from the Beacon Hill Wyndham. When I walked from the Beacon Hill Wyndham toward the Government Center and downtown, the leading footage of the walk was along the transition zone of Cambridge Street. As soon as the wide arterial made the curve toward State Street, the road narrowed to a pedestrian scale with the architecture drastically turning interesting along the Freedom Trail corridor. There were a few times that when we did this walk that we would stop to take in the historical architecture of the Old State House. The architecture just makes a Boston adventurer stop, corroborate, and listen. The brick building topped by the Colonial style tower brings my mind to 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was read from the East facing balcony in 1776. Admiring the British unicorn and lion the royal symbol of Britain on the east facing brick facade brought my mind to the 1700s when Britain ruled the law of the land. When I stood at the west facing side, it brought my mind to the patriotic spirit of Boston when I took in the the gold sculpture of the eagle. When I stood by the south facing brick wall I was reminded of the Boston Massacre when I read the plaque. When I returned to the east facing side I would officially step on the site of the Boston Massacre. The site is notated with a circle of cobblestones. Inside the Old State House is a museum that tells the story of the National Historic site. The Old State House is a major stop on the Boston Freedom Trail. As a matter of fact following the Boston Freedom Trail a few stops Southwest leads by the new Massachusetts State House. From State Street the thoroughfare that ends up at the Waterfront, there were a few times that we hooked up to the Boston Freedom Trail by means of the Old State House. It is one of the jewels along the necklace of the long and windy brick walkway that is the Boston Freedom Trail. It is ridiculously close to Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market, the Old Meeting House and a short walk to the North End and Boston Commons. The Old State House was also a coffee and breakfast stop for us when we sat in Pret A Manger looking out the window toward the south facing brick wall. The Old State House is a National Historic landmark that never gets old. It just ages gracefully. .............................................................................. useful ( ) funny ( ) cool ( ) educational (1)

There is a surprising lack of large history museums in Boston. Several smaller locations including The Old State House attempt to piece together the rich history of the area by showcasing some of the artifacts and recreating the history and events leading to the American Revolution along the Freedom Trail in central Boston. You should pay to visit this museum and others. Visiting the interior and experiencing the exhibits really adds depth to an otherwise easy walk along the trail. This museum has a large display about the events leading to the Boston Massacre and the harsh treatment of Boston by Great Britain leading to the Revolution. There are also recreations of how the interior looked during that time and its place in history. There are several discount passes available which are worth the price. Once you see one of these small museums, you will want to see more for a richer experience.

This is a small but mighty museum. You will learn so much about the Revolutionary War through the microcosm of this site. This was the first legislature building of Massachusetts, originally a colony and then a state (JK...commonwealth). The top floor, where the tour takes place, was initially split into different rooms, one for each branch. However, the tour guide does a good job explaining how it would have been separated and arranged, so you hardly miss out on information. Our tour guide was not exuberant, but she was quietly passionate and dedicated. As such, I found her engaging and informative! The front desk gives you a name card with a colonial person's identity, and while it's used at one point, I wish it was either committed to more or scrapped, because it didn't seem to fit in well if it was just used for a one-off mention. This is a small museum, but it frames the history of America's independence very well. You learn important narratives from this period, but you also learn fun facts that will surprise you and stay in your brain for quite some time. Also...the Boston Massacre happened RIGHT outside the building, with a plaque to mark the occasion. And the Declaration of Independence was read for the first time in Boston off of this building's balcony. If that isn't cool, I don't know what is!

A great piece of revolutionary history here. The museum is fantastic and a must see. There are always reinactors there as well. A ton of artifacts on display and a very well preserved piece of essential history.

Another site on the Boston Freedom Trail. Did not do the tour but it was worth the walk by. You can feel the history in those bricks. I can only imagine all those laws passed during the colonial days. It is smaller and not as grand as compared to the new State House but still a site to see.

What a lovely state house in Boston, It surrounded by the skyscrapers, but because of it the place just look even more special. The old State House is one of the oldest public buildings in the USA. At the present day, it is no more a state house, but still serves as a history museum to the public. Although it isn't big. I just like the whole architecture, it quite simple but at the same time outstanding. And they got some cool sculptures on the top of the roof. a lion with crown, a unicorn and a bird at the back. That's just cool. Fisrt time saw a unicorn sculpture on a historical government building. I also like the tower in the middle of the house. it just made it looks classy. During my time in Boston, I didn't get enough time to visit the building inside. that was quite a pity. I did go around the building and check out the small detail on it. I really like it. the building around did make it pop. Of course, I made some cool pictures with this lovely staut house.

I love to study American history and visiting the Old State House was amazing, but I had my two grandchildren with me and they were not enthralled to read poster after poster of information. Many items on display were reproductions, so that was somewhat disappointing. We were told that there were no docents because of COVID, but there were numerous gloomy people standing around to make sure our masks were correctly covering our faces. It would have been wonderful for docents to bring the history alive for visitors. The one and only exception was a gentleman in the large conference room. He happily offered much information about the building and volunteered to take our family photo WITHOUT our wearing masks! (We were the only ones in the room.) Instead of feeling like unwanted intruders in the building, he alone made us happy to be there.

The theatrical presentation - Cato and Dolly is a super cool way to present history and life in the Revolutionary Era. Well done and very entertaining.

The State House a gateway to the past amidst downtown office towers. Walking the same steps that so many who built the American independence into what it is today it is truly great to see Boston's Revolutionary past. A visit won't take more than an hour or so The entrance is on the side and it's Adults $12.00, Seniors (62+) $10.00 Students $10.00 Youth (6-18) FREE to get in. They also made it pretty interactive with some of the displays. Also, they have a speaker every 20 mins or so that covers one of the topics in the main room upstairs. Very informative and cool! Before you leave or go inside, be sure to visit the memorial to the Boston Massacre, on the sidewalk under the building's rear balcony. The tragic events that occurred on this spot, on the snowy night of March 5, 1770, would ultimately set in motion the march toward American Independence. Take a few moments to stand here and absorb the importance of this spot in the course of human history -- it's what makes the Old State House one of the most memorable sites in Boston This is a must stop along the Freedom Trail located in the heart of Boston.

Take time to go on one of the tours. We listened to what went on on the top floor for our tour, and it was very interesting. For all those history buffs, this place is a must visit. Did this on the Boston Go Card, highly recommend.

Inexpensive, self guided tour in The Old State House building. You walk room to room, read the information, some interactive pieces, some art pieces, lots of history and of course a gift shop. I think the stair case was my favorite part, beautiful. Just a quick little piece of history. Of course I would say check it out.

Freedom Trail sites in Boston...we saw 13 of 16, and checked into only 9 because some are closed...June 2016...overall 4 stars... #1 of 16...Boston Common...5 stars...wonderful park area where people can meet and walk, or eat at one of the food stands that dot the area. It is a huge park in the city and well worth visiting. A great place to start your tour of the Freedom trail. All cities should have a public park area of this size and fame. Free. #2 of 16...Massachusetts State House...5 stars...This was our first stop on the Freedom Trail and IMHO it is the best. It is a magnificent piece of architecture that the State of Massachusetts (technically they are a Commonwealth) allows the public to visit practically every day of the year for no charge. Inside you'll find both the State Senate meeting room and the State Representative hall. In both cases, when the Houses are in session you are allowed to visit in the spectators balcony. We visited during the summer when the Houses were not in session and so we were allowed on the floor of both Houses...this was a very neat experience. There is also a Flag Hall worth seeing, and many other interesting places to investigate. Make sure you visit...this was worth it. Free. #4 of 16...Granary Burying Ground...5 stars...very neat burial grounds. Free entry and you'll see where Sam Adams, John Hancock, Paul Revere, and Benjamin Franklin's parents are buried. Interesting old monuments on the grounds. Worth the look. Free...although there is a guy at the entrance who loans you diagrams for a donation...worth it. #5 of 16...Kings Chapel...3 stars...Neat old church...you can see the original booths that were awarded to members based on their donations to the church. Worth the look. Free. #10 of 16...Old State House...2 stars...neat old building but they want $10 each for visitors to look at the small museum. Not worth the trouble...walk by and see the nice old architecture and move on. Not Free. #11 of 16...Boston Massacre Site...2 stars...sort of like the Fort Dearborn site in Chicago...it is a brass plaque set in the concrete on the corner. Walk on by and move on. Free. #12 of 16...Fanueil Hall...5 stars...very neat area of old warehouses in Boston. These have largely been turned into shops and places to eat. This is a big venue...with three distinct sets of warehouses. You could easily spend all day just here. Worth the visit. Free. #15 of 16...USS Constitution and Charlestown Navy Yard...5 stars...if you made it this far you must go see the USS Constitution...it is a piece of American history unlike any other. This ship is still on the active rolls of the US Navy. It is currently in dry dock and being refurbished (which seems to happen every 20 years) but don't let that hold you back. You'll go through a cursory security check and then can get on deck for a self-guided tour. There are also many sailors on board to answer any questions. An American landmark. Don't miss this one. Free. #16 of 16...Bunker Hill...3 stars...Site of an actual battle that played a large part in forming the United States. That said, it is a monolith on top of a small mountain overlooking Boston. Worth the visit, but you'll probably have to drive here to the North End of Boston and park your car. Still and all worth the visit. Free.

We had booked a tour at King's Chapel Church but had some time before our tour started. We found a Groupon for this and, as it is not a very big museum, went in with plenty of time to check everything out. They packed a lot of history into the Old State house, but they also had some areas, probably more geared towards kids with hands on activities. You get a little character care (it is kind of your ticket) and it tells you which side you were on and if you did anything exciting and if you lived or died. I died.

The old state house is a very significant figure in American history. This gorgeous site can be found along the freedom trail and is nestled amidst the modern and historical architecture in downtown Boston. This place is a must see when visiting Boston and if walking the freedom trail.

Visited the Old State House museum in December 2018 and we all enjoyed our visit. The entry was free with our Trolley tour bus ticket. The self guided tour is pretty short. There were some neat exhibits. There is also a large gift shop.

Great and inexpensive place to visit and learn more about the Boston Massacre And Declaration of Independence. Really beautiful inside and outside and won't take long to walk through exhibits and the gift shop.

For me, this was the stop of the Trail. On top of just a nice solid museum (and gift shop, duh), they had an actress play the part of Thomas Hutchinson's daughter whose name totally escapes me! She describes (with a lovely accent) the events of the past few months, which include the burning in effigy of Andrew Oliver and the ransacking of her home. You could ask her any question you wanted, but had to do so knowing that she was living in the 1700's. So asking her how she felt about the Sox would likely result in a response of how much she hated darning them :) It was very enjoyable, and as I started with, the best stop on the trail. I've always like historical play actors, and she did it wonderfully and made my trip.

This was the only tour I did on the freedom trail (as most was self guided or looking at buildings) and it was very good. I had gotten a groupon but even the full price at $10 a person is still satisfactory. They offer 3 half hour tours in the building as well as information to walk through the museum part by yourself. I took the 3 tours and they covered some of the same information, which was a little disappointing but maybe most people only do 1 or 2 so they want to cover their bases. It's also really nice part of some of the tours is in a large room with table in chairs. Believe me, if this is late in your freedom trail walk, you'll be grateful. It was also cool to feel the vibrations of the subway, as apparently after the one under this building was installed, they weren't allowed to put the subway under any more historic sites. Since most things on the trail are open 9-5 (give or take) and you have a limited amount of tours you can do and see all the sites, this was definitely an informative site on the Boston Massacre and the original history of the building.

The character tours are fun and factual while the museum has some good information as well. The top floor is more for kids but the bottom floor has a chronological exhibit of Boston's founding and the starting of the revolution. The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. We had Adam as our guide for one portion and he was very interesting and engaging. We even talked to him afterwords to learn more and he very eagerly answered our questions. One note--they could do better in addressing different language groups and levels of English. I don't think all of the visitors understood everything...

We got in free with the purchase of our hop on hop off bus tour tickets, which was really cool. There were a lot of rooms with different exhibits telling the history of the Old State House and Boston Massacre, etc. There are guided tours you can join, or you can explore on your own! It was very interesting and informative and is a great place for kids as well.

Built in 1713, it was the seat of the Massachusetts General Court until 1798, and is one of the oldest public buildings in the United States. Now it's a museum where you can learn some important facts of the history.

I'm surprised there aren't more reviews of this place. I stayed in the Ames which was right next to the Old State house and I passed by it for four days without even bothering to look inside but just to go into the subway station or check out the store. On my last day I had some free time and I was able to go check it out. The historical significance of this place is MUCH greater than the 10 reviews it has garnered. The museum part is small but it is on the path of the freedom trail (which is a 2 hour walking tour!!! wow ...). They have many originals from the 1700 period when the first colonists came into Boston as well as extensive historical documentation of the significance of the house. This was the first reading of the declaration of independence. This was one of the first battles of the US against "her majesty" in England. It it is the quintessential representation of why we are all here today. Some powerful stuff, highly recommended.

Admission for the State House came free with our trolley tour (adults are normally $7), so we decided to get out of the frigid temperatures in Boston and check it out. The restoration was really beautiful, and I really liked seeing the old restored meeting house where key decisions were made about our country many years ago. There's also a lot of information about US history throughout the museum, as well as fun, interactive games oriented at kids (but hey, I liked 'em too), and you can view the site of the Boston Massacre from the windows. I was impressed by all the authentic artifacts they had at the State House. Down on the bottom level you can read all about the history of the restoration, as well as feel the floor shake from the T stop right below! Although this museum is on the small side (we took maybe 30-45 minutes to get through it at most and did everything there was to offer), it was worth going through to get a slice of US history.

After walking by it countless times for 3 years, I finally entered the Old State House to attend a free lecture about the women of Boston's history. Little did I know, it houses a MUSEUM INSIDE! I spent an extra hour just browsing and learning about Boston's rich history via genuine artifacts. THE DEAL: Check the web for upcoming events! FACT: The gold lion and unicorn statues on top are both British symbols of power and strength. They are NOT the original ones that topped the building, which were destroyed during the revolt from English rule.

Very great place to visit if you're interested in learning about the beginning of the Revolutionary War. $7 admission fee gets you in to two and a half floors of exhibits (I say two and a half because the bottom level is just a couple of pictures and not really anything big). The building is beautiful and has been nicely preserved since its mid-19th century renovation by the Boston Historical Society. The building originally was the seat of the Governor of Britain (the guy who essentially ran the Colonies for King George). The building fell out of use until the 19th century and it was renovated to add a staircase in the middle (very grand and beautiful, I might add). This was the site of the Boston Massacre (occurred in the square just outside the State House) and the reading of the Declaration of Independence to the people of Boston. Many meetings between Revolutionaries occurred here and many important decisions regarding the independence of this nation were made in this building. The exhibits are nicely put together and there's a good mix of actual artifacts from revolutionaries and written information about the time period and the central figures. The third floor includes a great children's exhibit which features a lot of kid-accessible history and information. The bottom level is a small photography exhibit feature Boston and its people. It was pretty small and uninteresting, but worth checking out anyway if that's your thing. Great stop on the Freedom Trail - go in, pay your fee and experience the historic building. It's an important part of Boston's history and the history of this nation.

This lovely place is both the Old State House and the site of the Boston Massacre all in one general area. The State house isn't too big and does seem randomly placed in the middle of the Financial District of Boston where the tall and modern skyscrapers tower over this old red brick building. Nonetheless, the simplicity of the State House does not deter from the overall meaning of the place and you are able to go instead for a tour as well if you have time (which I didn't get a chance to do). When you continue to follow the red brick road, you're led to the site of the Boston Massacre Memorial which is made known by the pretty large circular plaque marked on the ground. Overall, very regal and holds a very deep feeling for Boston's history. #10 & #11 of the Freedom Trail.

Located at what used to be Boston's geographical center, Old State House once served as the British seat of government until it was forced to evacuate under American siege. This building was also where Boston Massacre occurred and where the Declaration of Independence was read to the Boston citizens, so Old State House is one of the most significant Boston landmarks in terms of historical values. Old State House is easy to reach! Under the building is the State Station of the blue line subway, so once you get out of the station, you are already at Old State House. It is also a minute walk away from Faneuil Hall so you can go to two interesting Freedom Trail stops in a short period of time. The building has two levels of exhibits: the first level exhibits the Boston history and the building's relation to it, and the second level features interactive exhibits for kids in addition to well-restored Representative Hall and Council Chamber. I originally allocated only 30 minutes to visit here from my experience with other Freedom Trail stops, but ended up spending an hour because there are so many interesting exhibits to read. I felt that I learned a lot more about American Revolution here than I did before! Even if you don't plan to tread the Freedom Trail, visit Old State House. This place has certainly inspired my interest in the American Revolution history. --- tl;dr version: -Great historical significance -Easy to reach via MBTA -Interesting exhibits within

My favorite building in Boston. This building has so much significance to American history. Samuel Adams read the Declaration of Independence to the city of Boston. If you're a true Patriot and love freedom, you will enjoy this building. Do your research (history refresher) before visiting, and you will enjoy it more.

We stopped by; but, didn't go in as there was a fee for the museum entrance. We took a few pictures and read about the site on the Freedom Trail pamphlet.

The Old State House is a stop along the Freedom Trail. It's the place where people met to take off and dump tea into the Boston Harbor to protest the British. It's also the place of the Boston Massacre.

The building itself seems like a "must," since it has so much historical significance. The museum, on the other hand, left some to be desired. I don't understand how someone can spend over an hour here, unless he is carefully reading each and every word on every card and minutely examining each detail set out on display. We also took a massacre tour, and that ended up being long and slightly uninteresting. Yes, I did learn more about the event, but it seemed very drawn out.