Old State House

Boston, United States

Open to visitors

The interior is normally open, possibly ticketed.

Strollie cannot guarantee access — always check before you travel.

Opening hours: Mo-Su 10:00-17:00; Jan 01 off; Nov Th[4] off; Dec 25 off
Admission: Ticketed

From OpenStreetMap — confirm before travelling

Find out more

The Old State House, completed in 1713 at 206 Washington Street in Boston, is the city's oldest surviving public building and a cornerstone of American colonial architecture. Built in the Georgian style with a brick facade and rising 2½ stories above a raised basement, it stands 65 feet tall—the tallest building in Boston until 1745. Originally serving as the seat of the Massachusetts provincial government's judicial, legislative, and executive branches throughout the 18th century, the building features a distinctive gable roof crowned by a central tower and ornamented with a lion and unicorn. After the state legislature relocated to the New State House in 1798, it became Boston's city hall following Isaiah Rogers's 1830 refurbishment, then served commercial tenants before being rescued from demolition through George A. Clough's 1881–1882 renovation. The Bostonian Society established it as a history museum, which it remains today, with exhibit rooms flanking a spiral staircase and rotunda, while the basement connects to the MBTA's State station. Listed as both a National Historic Landmark and a Boston Landmark, the Old State House stands on the Freedom Trail.

Movement

Georgian architecture

Built: 1713
Type: museum, parliament building
Heritage: National Register of Historic Places listed place, National Historic Landmark
Place: Boston, United States

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Location

42.35875, -71.05747