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Old State House

INFO

Contact Information: 

Old State House/Bostonian Society
206 Washington Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
(617) 720-1713
Bostonian Society Website Old State House
Freedom Trail Website 
Old State House City of Boston Website
Open daily 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; January 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.; July and August 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Description: 

Photograph of the Old State House

Also known as Boston's "Towne House", the Old State House dates back to 1713. This Georgian style structure was occupied by the British during the Revolution and was a continuous reminder to the settlers of British dominance and presence in the colony.  

The Old State House was the center of all political life and debate in colonial Boston. On July 18, 1776, citizens gathered in the street to hear the Declaration of Independence read from the building's balcony, the first public reading in Massachusetts. The Royal Governor presided here until the new State House was built on Beacon Hill in 1798.

Today, the building is run by The Bostonian Society as a Boston history museum.

GETTING THERE

Driving and Parking: 
From the North:
Take 93 South to exit 24 B-A (for AIRPORT (RT-1A North)/GOV'T CENTER). Follow signs for 24 A/GOV'T CENTER. Off the ramp, turn left onto John Fitzgerald Surface Road. Travel .1m and turn right onto State Street. The Old State House is on the corner of Washington Street, but you will see the building in front of you as you come up State Street. Parking suggestions are below. Be warned that driving directions vary often due to road construction.
The entrance to the Library is across the pedestrian mall at 15 State Street (under the National Park Service Visitor Center sign).
From the South:
Take 93 North to exit 23/GOV'T CENTER toward GOV'T CENTER/FANEUIL HALL/FINANCIAL DISTRICT/AQUARIUM. Off the ramp, turn left onto John Fitzgerald Surface Road. Travel .1m and turn right onto State Street. The Old State House is on the corner of Washington Street, but you will see the building in front of you as you come up State Street. Parking suggestions are below. Be warned that driving directions vary often due to road construction.
The entrance to the Library is across the pedestrian mall at 15 State Street (under the National Park Service Visitor Center sign).
From the West:
Take the Mass Pike (90) to 93 North. Continue with "Driving from the South" directions. Parking suggestions are below. Be warned that driving directions vary often due to road construction.
From Cambridge:
Take the Longfellow Bridge to Cambridge Street. Follow Cambridge Street to the New Sudbury Street traffic light. Make a left turn onto New Sudbury and then a right onto Congress Street. Continue on Congress past Faneuil Hall on your left and Boston City Hall on your right. At the next intersection (Congress and State) you will see the Old State House on your right. Parking suggestions are below. Be warned that driving directions vary often due to road construction.
Parking Suggestions: There are several parking garages in the vicinity of the Old State House:

75 State Street Garage: 75 State St., 617-742-7275, www.75statestreetgarage.com

Pi Alley Parking Garage: 275 Washington St., 617-720-2006, www.pialleygarage.com

Public Transportation: 

Take the Orange or Blue Lines to State Street. Follow signs for "Old State House" to street level. The station is directly beneath the Old State House; the entrance to the Library is across the pedestrian mall at 15 State Street (under the National Park Service Visitor Center sign).
OR take the Green Line to Government Center, and walk down Court Street one block to State Street.
OR take the Red Line to Downtown Crossing and walk down Washington Street toward City Hall to State Street (several blocks).

Entrances: 

The entrance to the Old State House is not accessible.  The Old State House is a National Historic Landmark and has a waiver for ADA compliance. 

GETTING AROUND

Features for People with Children: 

Visitors may bring strollers into the welcome area, but they may not be taken into the museum galleries. Strollers can be conveniently kept at the front desk and baggage claim area.

Features for People with Mobility Impairments: 

The Old State House is not accessible to wheelchair users.  There is no elevator.  There are a lot of stairs in the building so be aware of this upon entering.  The restrooms are on the lowest level of the building and can only be accessed by stairs.

Bathrooms: 

There are bathrooms located in the basement. Reaching them involves negotiating a lot of stairs adn can be challlenging for some.

OTHER

Multimedia Access: 
Some virtual exhibits:
 
 
Cautions: 

Anyone with mobility or stamina issues should be aware that the building is NOT accessible and visiting the Museum involves many stairs.