Old State House

Old State House is at 206 Washington St. at the head of State St. The building is on the site of the old 1657 Town House. The present structure, built in 1713, is considered to be Boston's oldest public building. Royal governors and provincial representatives presided at the town house before the Revolution. The Boston Massacre occurred at the east front in 1770, and the Declaration of Independence was read to Bostonians on July 18, 1776, from the balcony. In 1780 John Hancock was inaugurated at the state house as first governor of the commonwealth. Operated by Revolutionary Spaces and owned by the City of Boston, the Old State House is a site within the Boston National Historical Park on the Freedom trail and includes displays related to Boston history. Exhibition items include tea from the Boston Tea Party, a replica of a coat that belonged to John Hancock, a model of the USS Constitution, paintings, prints and other artifacts. Daily gallery talks are offered at various locations and cover different stories and themes. "Reflecting Attucks" takes place at the exhibit at 3:30 p.m. and highlights the life of Crispus Attucks, a man of African & Native descent who was the first to die in the Boston Massacre. The presentation offers visitors a look at 18th century politics and society in colonial Massachusetts. The "Massacre and Memory Tour" is a half-mile guided walking tour that explores the surprisingly small geography of colonial Boston and uncovers the roots of the Boston Massacre. Guided tours are available.