Old South Meeting House
INFO
Contact Information:
310 Washington Street
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 482-6439
Description:
The Old South was built in 1729 as a Puritan meeting house. It has been an important gathering place in the City of Boston for nearly 300 years. The first wooden meeting house was built on the site in 1669. It became overcrowded and the congregation decided to tear it down and rebuild. The large clock in the steeple was also used by the community as a whole. The original clock, installed in 1770, is still in place today. Samuel Adams and Benjamin Franklin were both members of the congregation.
The Old South was the largest building in Colonial Boston, and in meeting house tradition, it was used for community meetings as well as worship services. Its large size and central location made the Old South ideal for these community meetings. Perhaps the most famous meetings to take place here occurred between November 30 and December 16, 1773 on the issue of the oppressive Tea Tax. At the last meeting, the crowd was informed that Governor Hutchinson refused the colonists request to turn back the over-taxed tea shipments. At that point, Samuel Adams proclaimed: "This meeting can do nothing more to save the country!" This was a pre-arranged signal to the Sons of Liberty that began the “Boston Tea Party.”
GETTING THERE
Driving and Parking:
From the South:
Take Route 3 to Route 93 North, following signs for Boston - Quincy. Take Exit 23, Government Center. Stay in left lane on ramp. At top of ramp, left lane becomes two lanes wide. Stay in lane marked for Government Center. This lane crosses Surface Road onto North Street. Follow North Street to intersection with Congress Street and take a left on Congress. Take your first right onto State Street (which becomes Court Street almost immediately) and follow it to the end, making a left at the fork onto Tremont Street. Take your first left onto School Street (Omni Parker House on the corner). At the bottom of School Street, take a left onto Washington Street.
From the West:
Follow the Massachusetts Turnpike Eastbound to Exit 24B, which is Route 93 North. Follow directions “From the South”, directly above.
From the North:
Follow Route 93 South to Exit 24A, Government Center/Faneuil Hall. At the top of the ramp take a left, stay in the right hand lane. Take a right onto State Street which becomes Court Street and follow to end, taking a left at the fork onto Tremont Street. Take your first left onto School Street (Omni Parker House on the corner). At the bottom of School Street, take a left onto Washington Street.
Several parking garages are easily accessible to Old South Meeting House. Discount validation stamps or tickets are often available for these garages. Please inquire at the admissions desk. Pi Alley Parking Garage is located at 275 Washington Street. The Garage At Post Office Square is located at 0 Post Office Square. Standard Parking is located at 33 Arch Street and has access to Milk Street on the side of our building.
Public Transportation:
Old South Meeting House is easily accessible by all subway lines. The closest stops are
GETTING AROUND
Features for People with Children:
The Old South Meeting House has many programs and activities geared toward children, including:
Anna’s World Activity Kit Families can request this special activity kit filled with hands-on objects and activities that explore the 18th century meeting house through the eyes of 12-year-old congregation member Anna Green Winslow.
Programs Throughout the year, special programs are offered free with museum admission. Add your voice to a colonial town meeting during Boston Harborfest, write with a quill pen or try on a pair of breeches or a mob cap during our colonial clothing days.