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Walking around Boston, it is almost impossible to avoid buildings of great historical significance. But in this city, so conscious of its history, there is one structure that stands out from the rest: The Old State House. Built in 1713, the Old State House is the oldest public building in the city. It was originally built to house the colonial government offices of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and after the American Revolution, it served as the first state house for the newly formed Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
The Old State House was the center of civic life in the 18th century in Massachusetts. Within the Old State House, the founding fathers debated the future of the British colonies. The Boston Massacre happened just outside the building, and in 1776, revolutionary leaders stood on the building's balcony and read the Declaration of Independence to an enthusiastic crowd.
A LANDMARK OF DEMOCRACY
"There are so many historically significant places in the city, but the Old State House is a great place to start because all of the stories intersected here," said Marieke J. Van Damme, director of the public history department for the Bostonian Society- Old State House. "Anyone who was anyone that came through this city had to be seen at the Old State House."
For example, within the Council Chamber of the Royal Governor, located...