Old South Meeting House, Boston
The Old South Meeting House is known for its simple, unadorned design, which stood in contrast to the more ornate architecture of Anglican churches of the time. Built in 1729, it was the largest meeting place in colonial Boston and played a significant role in the events leading up to the American Revolution. The large interior hall served as a gathering place for town meetings, and it gained fame for hosting fervent speeches by the Sons of Liberty, a group of American patriots who protested British taxation and other grievances.
One of the most notable events that took place at the Old South Meeting House occurred on December 16, 1773, during a candlelit protest rally against the British Tea Act. Samuel Adams, a prominent figure in the American Revolution, delivered a speech at the meeting house and flashed a signal that led to the Boston Tea Party later that night when colonists, disguised as Native Americans, boarded British ships and dumped tea into Boston Harbor as a protest against British taxation without representation. In retaliation, the British occupied the Old South Meeting House, using it as an officers' tavern and stable.
Fortunately, the building was saved from destruction and eventually became a museum in 1877. Today, it offers a series of lectures covering various New England topics and hosts chamber music concerts and other musical performances. The museum shop features a wide range of merchandise, including "Boston Tea Party" tea.
Across Washington Street from the Old South Meeting House, you can find a memorial to the Irish Potato Famine of 1845-1849, created by sculptor Robert Shure and added to the square in 1998.
One of the most notable events that took place at the Old South Meeting House occurred on December 16, 1773, during a candlelit protest rally against the British Tea Act. Samuel Adams, a prominent figure in the American Revolution, delivered a speech at the meeting house and flashed a signal that led to the Boston Tea Party later that night when colonists, disguised as Native Americans, boarded British ships and dumped tea into Boston Harbor as a protest against British taxation without representation. In retaliation, the British occupied the Old South Meeting House, using it as an officers' tavern and stable.
Fortunately, the building was saved from destruction and eventually became a museum in 1877. Today, it offers a series of lectures covering various New England topics and hosts chamber music concerts and other musical performances. The museum shop features a wide range of merchandise, including "Boston Tea Party" tea.
Across Washington Street from the Old South Meeting House, you can find a memorial to the Irish Potato Famine of 1845-1849, created by sculptor Robert Shure and added to the square in 1998.
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Old South Meeting House on Map
Sight Name: Old South Meeting House
Sight Location: Boston, USA (See walking tours in Boston)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Boston, USA (See walking tours in Boston)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Boston, Massachusetts
Create Your Own Walk in Boston
Creating your own self-guided walk in Boston is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Boston Introduction Walking Tour
The capital of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston is one of the oldest cities in the United States and it had played a key role in the country's struggle for independence. Founded in 1630 by Puritan settlers from England, it witnessed many events of the American Revolution, including the Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party, the Battle of Bunker Hill, and the Siege of Boston.
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
North End Food Tour
Boston鈥檚 North End is famous primarily for its Italian food. By far not as big as New York's Little Italy, this one-square-mile waterfront community is the oldest in the city, and is packed to the brim with a cornucopia of Italian eateries 鈥� restaurants, cafes, espresso bars, pizza and sandwich shops 鈥� lined next to each other within just a few short blocks to ensure visitors both a... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.8 Km or 0.5 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.8 Km or 0.5 Miles
Boston Shopping Areas
One of the top shopping destinations in the US northeast, Boston has a strong network of interesting stores, galleries and boutiques to visit along with its many high-class shops, some of which are nestled inside historical buildings. Shopping here in more than one way mirrors the city itself: an amalgamation of classic and vanguard, the handmade and the high-end, and both local and international... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Harvard University Walking Tour
The United States鈥� oldest institution of higher education (and, of course, among the most prestigious), Harvard was established in 1636. Reverend John Harvard, who bequeathed his entire library and half of his estate, is the University鈥檚 namesake. Presidents, billionaires and Rhodes Scholars are only some of the illustrious graduates; in fact, Harvard has more Nobel Prize-winning alumni,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Historical Churches Walking Tour
Boston's great churches are among the most precious of the city's numerous architectural jewels. What makes them special are their unique styles, elegant facades and long history.
Starting with the Old North Church, which towers in the city鈥檚 North End, this journey surely feels like taking a step back in time. Legend was made there, in the very place that Paul Revere waited for... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles
Starting with the Old North Church, which towers in the city鈥檚 North End, this journey surely feels like taking a step back in time. Legend was made there, in the very place that Paul Revere waited for... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles
Bunker Hill Walking Tour
Bunker Hill, sitting on the bank of the Charles River in Boston, Massachusetts, is a historic site that holds great significance in American history. At its heart stands the Bunker Hill Monument, a towering obelisk commemorating the Battle of Bunker Hill, a pivotal event in the American Revolutionary War.
The battle took place on June 17, 1775, when American patriots faced off against British... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
The battle took place on June 17, 1775, when American patriots faced off against British... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
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