In 1656, city officials first put forth plans for a central government and civic building. A Puritan merchant, Robert Keayne, donated a large sum of money for the construction of the building. Keayne was a member of the original Massachusetts Bay Colony, traveling from England with Governor Winthrop. Originally called the Town House, the building is one of the oldest public buildings in Boston and one of the most important buildings of the Revolution. Constructed from wood, the two-story structure held meeting places for the government on the second floor and a merchant exchange on the ground level. It also held ceremonial functions. The governors arrived in Boston and then went to the building to meet the townspeople. When fire destroyed the Town House, it was immediately rebuilt and became the State House (now known as the Old State House). It remained a center for government activity until 1798, when the State House on Beacon Hill finished construction. For some time the building remained in flux, but in 1882 it transformed into a museum and to this day it still stands as a museum.

During the traumatic events leading to the Revolutionary War, people utilized the building to further their agendas. One of the first historical events at the Old State House was when James Otis argued against the Writs of Assistance in front of an assembly. The Writs of Assistance allowed British officials to perform searches on private homes and businesses without a search warrant. The outcry created by Otis’ speech led to the British Crown overturning the Writs of Assistance. Later, in 1770 the Boston Massacre happened in front of the building. A memorial, marking the spot of the incident is outside the building. At one point British troops used the building for their own purposes. In a full turn around, after the Revolution began the Declaration of Independence was read on one of the balconies to the joyous cheers of colonists. 

By: Jessica McKenzie 

Credits and Sources:

The Bostonian Society. “History of the Old State House.” The Bostonian Society. Accessed September 12, 2016. http://www.bostonhistory.org/history/

“The Old State House.” Boston Landmarks Commission. November 7, 1994. Accessed September 12, 2016. https://www.cityofboston.gov/images_documents/Old%20State%20House%20-%20Study%20Report%20Amended%20175.A_tcm3-45870.pdf

“The Protection of Historic Buildings.” Quarterly of the National Fire Protection Association 15, no. 1 (July 1921):113-119.