Old State House
The Old State House is Boston's oldest surviving public building and one of the most significant stops on the Freedom Trail. Built in 1713 on the site of an earlier town house destroyed by fire, it served as the seat of Massachusetts government for nearly a century and witnessed some of the most important moments of the American Revolution, including the Boston Massacre and the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence in Boston. Today it operates as a museum, run by the nonprofit Revolutionary Spaces, with exhibits covering Boston's colonial and Revolutionary history. It's a different building from the Massachusetts State House on Beacon Hill, the current, active seat of state government; this is the original State House, from the colonial era.
Location
The Old State House sits at 206 Washington Street, at the intersection of Washington and State Streets in downtown Boston, directly above the State MBTA subway station, which has an entrance built into the building's basement. It's easy to reach on foot from Faneuil Hall, the Boston Massacre Site, and the rest of the Freedom Trail.
History
The Old State House was built in 1713 after fire destroyed the earlier town house on the same site in 1711. It served as the seat of the Massachusetts General Court until 1798, housing the Governor's Council Chamber and the Supreme Judicial Court. On March 5, 1770, the Boston Massacre took place just outside its walls, and on July 18, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was read publicly from its east balcony to a crowd gathered below, one of the first public readings in the country. Samuel Adams and John Hancock both delivered speeches inside the building. Its most recognizable features, the gilded lion and unicorn statues on the building's facade (royal symbols of the British crown), were torn down by an angry crowd in 1776 and replaced with replicas in 1882, a detail many visitors photograph without knowing the story behind it. The building was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1960.
What To See
Inside, the restored first floor traces Boston's role in the Revolution through exhibits on the Boston Massacre and the years leading up to independence. The second-floor Council Chamber displays a replica of the Royal Governor's chair alongside period artifacts, and the building's balcony, the same one used for the 1776 Declaration reading, offers views over the surrounding Financial District toward Boston Harbor. The Old State House is operated today as a museum by Revolutionary Spaces, a nonprofit that also runs the nearby Old South Meeting House; guided and self-guided tour options are available, and hours and current admission pricing are posted on the museum's own site before your visit, since they can change seasonally.
Nearby Attractions
The Old State House sits at the center of Boston's Freedom Trail. Just outside is the Boston Massacre Site, marked by a cobblestone circle in the sidewalk. A short walk away is the Old South Meeting House, another Revolutionary Spaces site and the starting point of the Boston Tea Party protest. Faneuil Hall marketplace, the Paul Revere House, and the Old North Church are also nearby, all connected along the Freedom Trail. For a broader look at the surrounding blocks, see our guide to downtown Boston.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Old State House the same as the Massachusetts State House?
No. The Old State House on Washington Street is the colonial-era building, now a museum, where Massachusetts government met until 1798. The Massachusetts State House on Beacon Hill is the current, active capitol building, completed in 1798 and still in use today.
What are the lion and unicorn statues on the Old State House?
They're gilded replicas of the royal British coat of arms, torn down by a crowd in 1776 after the Declaration of Independence was read, and replaced in 1882. They sit on the building's east and west gable ends and are one of its most photographed details.
What happened at the Old State House during the Boston Massacre?
The Boston Massacre took place on March 5, 1770, just outside the building, where British soldiers fired into a crowd of colonists. The site is marked today by a cobblestone circle on the sidewalk.
Can you go inside the Old State House?
Yes. It operates as a museum run by Revolutionary Spaces, with exhibits on Boston's Revolutionary history, guided and self-guided tour options, and the restored Council Chamber on the second floor. Check the museum's current hours and admission before visiting, as they can change seasonally.
Planning Your Tour with Boston Sightseeing
One unique way to experience the Old State House is by taking a tour with Boston Sightseeing's double-decker bus. You'll get a great view of the city while learning about its history and major landmarks, including the Old State House. The tour also includes stops at other popular attractions, making it a convenient and fun way to explore Boston.
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Experience historic Boston with unlimited hop-on hop-off at your own pace.
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Explore Boston & Charlestown with Boston's first double-decker bus at your own pace.
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Get onboard from Boston Cruise terminal and explore the historic beantown with Boston Sightseeing double-decker bus.
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A 3.5-hour guided shuttle tour featuring Boston’s most iconic neighborhoods, Cambridge highlights, waterfront views, and curated photo opportunities.
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