The Old State House is the oldest public building in Boston and a landmark of the American Revolution. Built in 1713, it served as the colonial seat of government under British rule, where governors enforced the King’s laws. It later became the first Massachusetts State House after independence.

On March 5, 1770, just outside its doors, British soldiers fired into a crowd of angry colonists, killing five in what became known as the Boston Massacre—an event that helped spark the Revolution. Inside, John Hancock, Samuel Adams, and James Otis Jr. fiercely debated British policies, setting the stage for America’s fight for freedom.

From the building’s balcony, the Declaration of Independence was first read to the citizens of Boston on July 18, 1776, marking the dawn of a new nation. Today, visitors can explore interactive exhibits, colonial-era artifacts, and the very rooms where revolutionaries defied the British crown. A must-visit on the Freedom Trail, the Old State House remains a powerful symbol of liberty and democracy.