Boston State House

Activity Overview

Boston's Old State House is a museum dedicated entirely to commemorating the Revolutionary War against the British. Exhibits and activities aimed at all ages are housed in a beautiful colonial building. In fact the Old State house is the States most historic public building which is no surprise when one considers the Boston Massacre . Special programs take place in this location throughout the year.

Things to Do

• There are a number of guided tours available to visitors once they have paid admission. These tours concern the Boston Massacre, the history and architecture of the Old State House itself and more general themes related to life during the Revolutionary War. For a full listing of tours and other events check out their events calender.
• You can also choose to explore the museum at your own pace on a self-guided tour. The Old State House hosts activities for all ages to keep you entertained.
• Depending when you visit you may get the chance to play teavern games from the 1700s, hear music and stories from those times or dress up in 18th Century clothes.

Boston State House Insider Tips

• The Boston State House is part of the Boston Freedom Trail. This is a route that runs through a number of historically significant sites through Boston's historical quarter.
• It is possible to buy a discounted ticket that combines admission for the Boston State House, the Paul Revere House and the Old South Meeting House as part of the Freedom Trail on the Old State House's website.
• Any visitors under 18 years of age enter for free.

• The original wood dome, which leaked, was covered with copper in 1802 by Paul Revere's company. (Paul Revere was the first American to roll copper successfully into sheets in a commercially viable manner.)

• The dome was first painted gray and then light yellow before being gilded with gold leaf in 1874. During World War II, the dome was painted once again, this time black or gray (depending on the source), to prevent reflection during blackouts and to protect the city and building from bombing attacks. In 1997, at a cost of more than $300,000, the dome was re-gilded, in 23k gold.

• The dome is topped with a pine cone, symbolizing both the importance of Boston's lumber industry during early colonial times and of the state of Maine, which was a district of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts when the Bulfinch section of the building was completed.