Great Visit to the Old State House and the Old South Meeting House - As part of my trip to Boston, I visited the Old State House and the Old South Meeting House. Both locations are managed by Revolutionary Spaces – admission to both locations for two days is $15. Short gallery talks take place throughout the day at both locations. Free with your admission are two docent led tours that start from both locations – sign up early as only one to two tours take place each day and are capped at 20 people/tour. I did the 75 minute "Massacre and Memory Tour" that starts from the Old State House and covers ½ mile. A similar tour titled "Slavery and Resistance in Colonial America" starts from the Old South Meeting House. The Old State House houses many exhibits - do not miss the basement exhibit describing the restoration efforts behind the Old State House. You can walk in the room and see the balcony from where the Declaration of Independence was first read. A short gallery talk discussed petitions by which Bostonians made requests to government officials. I was part of a group of five people on a docent-led tour that started outside the Old State House where the Boston Massacre took place. She gave us geographical and political context for the Boston Massacre as walked around Boston. It ended at the Old Meeting House where we learned how the Puritan church evolved from a church to a political meeting house. VACATION TIP: This is a less costly alternative to the commercial Freedom Trail tours that are expensive, crowded and may not include admission to either building. You will also be supporting Revolutionary Spaces that hosts many educational programs.

A lot of information in a small museum - A visit to the Old State House was totally worth it. They currently have a very informative display on the Tea Party, the Stamp Act, and the run up to the revolution. As a sidenote, they read the Declaration of Independence from the balcony every July 4th. The Jan 6 info was included as part of a discussion on protests and disparate views in America. The info was accurate, not at all biased, but I can see how some who believe the election was stolen may view it as such. Folks actually wrote about such feelings on the chalkboard at the end of the display. It is very inexpensive to tour, especially if you get a combo ticket with the Old South Meeting House n Washington and Milk Streets.

How this country became a country - I’m was impressed that this historic building has been preserved so well. Our leaders must have understood the significant history that happened at this place. While I was there, I decided to think about all disagreements and how they end up leading to bloodshed. Did the British soldier who fired the first shot in The Boston Massacre really have the authorization? Or, was he acting alone? Was the disagreement over colonial independence and British war debt repayment worthy of killing ourselves?

Old State House - This building was the center of Boston’s civic life in the 18th century and the scene of some of the most dramatic chapters in the lead-up to the American Revolution. Within these walls, Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and John Adams debated the future of the British colonies. The Declaration of Independence was read from the balcony in 1776. Right outside the back door is where the Boston Massacre took place. While going through the structure you can actually feel the presence of these icons of history.

Educational but J6 display biased - Overall an educational and engaging group of exhibits. We found it disturbing to see the way the January 6 events were portrayed. At a time when our country is obviously divided on political lines, found it disturbing that the only color displayed would be the red of a Maga hat. I find it inflammatory for that presentation to be displayed in that way.

Good visit to the Old State House. - My wife and I really liked our tour of the old State House. We toured the exhibits and sat in on a talk about how the council listened to petitions. The council room was particularly interesting.

Worth seeing at least once - If you’re in Boston for a history tour this is one you don’t want to miss and it’s cheap. Found it interesting that some of the things mirrored from tea party and other notable events around this building and currently being discussed today. This place certainly is a boost for the saying if you don’t learn from the past you’re bound to repeat it!