Standing on Washington Street, I noticed something odd about the Old South Meeting House: it’s brick, not wood, which sets it apart from most New England meeting houses. Built in 1729, this is where 5,000 angry colonists gathered before the Boston Tea Party, making it the largest public space in colonial Boston. That’s rather more consequential than your average church building.
To skip the explanation, and book your tickets, head here.
Quick overview
A joint ticket covers both the Old South Meeting House and the Old State House for $15 (adults), which makes sense given they’re only two blocks apart and tell interconnected stories. The ticket includes all exhibits and gallery talks at both sites.
Opening hours: Daily, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with occasional closures for special events.
At a glance
| Price | Opening hours | Address | Free for | Last entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joint ticket $8–$15 (includes Old State House) | Daily: 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. | 310 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02108 | Active US military, veterans, Mass. teachers, EBT/WIC cardholders (plus guests) | 5:00 p.m. |
How much does the Old South Meeting House cost?
You cannot buy a ticket for the Old South Meeting House alone – admission is part of a joint ticket that includes the Old State House, located two blocks away at 206 Washington Street. This isn’t a cynical upsell; the two buildings genuinely tell complementary stories about colonial Boston and the Revolution.
Ticket prices
| Ticket type | Price | Who qualifies |
|---|---|---|
| Adults | $15 | General admission |
| Seniors | $13 | Age 65+ |
| Students | $13 | Valid ID required |
| Children | $8 | Ages 6–12 |
| Children under 6 | Free | No ID required |
| Members | Free | Revolutionary Spaces members (ID required) |
Free admission is available to several groups with proper ID: active US military (plus up to 5 guests), veterans (Blue Star Museums), Massachusetts teachers (plus 1 guest), MBTA employees (plus 1 guest), Massachusetts EBT and WIC cardholders (plus up to 5 guests), and Boston Public School students.
Is the Old South Meeting House free to enter?
No, though there are quite a few free admission categories (see above). The building is operated by Revolutionary Spaces, a non-profit organisation, and admission fees help fund preservation and programming.
If you’re a Massachusetts EBT or WIC cardholder, you and up to five guests get in free through the Card to Culture programme – just show your card at the front desk. This also applies to active US military and veterans.
5 great Boston experiences to book
- ⚾ See why Boston has America’s most beloved baseball ground on a Fenway Park tour.
- 🚶 Get a history crash course on a small group walking tour along the Freedom Trail.
- 🌅 See the skyline from the water on a sunset harbour cruise.
- 🎓 Hear the stories behind America’s oldest university on a campus walking tour of Harvard University.
- 🍩 Indulge in Boston’s best donuts on a sweet treats walking tour.
What time does the Old South Meeting House open?
Daily: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Closed: New Year’s Day (1 January), Thanksgiving (26 November), Christmas Eve (24 December), and Christmas Day (25 December)
Occasional closures: Check the Revolutionary Spaces website before visiting, as there are sometimes special event closures.
The building is part of the Freedom Trail, the 2.5-mile walking route that connects 16 historic sites, including the Old State House, Paul Revere House and the Old North Church. You can visit in either direction; the Old South Meeting House is roughly in the middle of the trail.
Do I need to book Old South Meeting House tickets in advance?
No, though you can if you prefer. Tickets are available both online and at the door. Given the no-refund policy, buying on the day gives you more flexibility if the weather turns grim or your plans change.
Your joint ticket is valid at both sites on the same day. You can visit in any order – start at Old South Meeting House and walk two blocks north to the Old State House, or reverse the route.
Special discount: If you’re also planning to visit the Old North Church, there’s a joint three-site ticket available only at the Boston Common Visitor Center. This saves $5 off the regular admission price and covers Old South Meeting House, Old State House, and Old North Church.
History
Old South Meeting House began life as a Puritan congregation’s third meeting house, built in 1729 to replace an earlier wooden structure. It was the largest building in colonial Boston, which made it the natural venue for public meetings that were too big for other spaces.
The congregation included some notable members: Benjamin Franklin was baptised here, and Phillis Wheatley, who in 1773 became the first published Black poet in America whilst still enslaved, was a member. Patriots Samuel Adams and William Dawes also worshipped here.
As tensions with Britain escalated, Old South became the de facto town hall for mass protest meetings. Patriots and Loyalists argued about impressment of sailors, commemorated the Boston Massacre, and debated British taxes. On 16 December 1773, over 5,000 people crammed inside to protest the tea tax. When negotiations failed, Samuel Adams reportedly gave a signal, and men disguised as Mohawk Indians stormed out toward Griffin’s Wharf, where they dumped 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor – the Boston Tea Party.
The British took revenge. During their occupation of Boston, they turned Old South into a riding stable for the cavalry. Pews were ripped out, dirt and gravel covered the floor, and a bar was installed in the first balcony. The building wasn’t restored for worship until 1783.
In 1872, after the congregation moved to a new church in the Back Bay, Old South was sold for demolition. A group calling themselves “twenty women of Boston” rallied to save it, enlisting Ralph Waldo Emerson, Julia Ward Howe, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and Louisa May Alcott. They raised enough money to purchase the building – the first time in the United States that a public building was preserved for its historical significance. Old South has been a museum since 1877.
Inside Old South Meeting House
The building feels more austere than grand. The main hall retains its meeting house character, with high box pews and a second-floor gallery. The plainness is deliberate – Puritans didn’t go in for ornamentation.
The Main Hall is where the famous meetings happened. Standing here, you can imagine 5,000 people packed shoulder to shoulder, voices echoing off the wooden ceiling as Samuel Adams addressed the crowd. The space can still accommodate large gatherings – it’s available for weddings and private events when not open to the public.
Voices of Protest is the permanent exhibit, which tells the story of Old South through the people who used it as a platform: revolutionaries, abolitionists, suffragettes, and modern activists. It’s more thoughtful than I expected, exploring how the building became synonymous with free speech.
The Tower Clock, visible from the street, was made in 1766 by Gawen Brown, a leading New England clockmaker. It’s the oldest American-made clock still operating in its original location. The bell in the tower was cast by Paul Revere in 1801 – one of only 46 surviving bells he made. It wasn’t originally here; it moved around Boston for years before being installed at Old South in 2011.
Gallery Talks are included with admission and happen throughout the day. Staff members share stories about the building’s role in American history and answer questions. These talks are more interactive than a typical museum audio guide.
Your ticket also covers the Old State House, which is worth the short walk. Built in 1713, it was the centre of British colonial government and the site where the Declaration of Independence was first read to Bostonians in July 1776. The balcony from which it was read is still there.
What’s included with your ticket?
Your joint admission covers:
- Entry to both Old South Meeting House and Old State House
- All permanent exhibits at both sites
- Gallery talks (scheduled throughout the day)
- Access to the Main Hall and upper gallery
- Self-guided tours with informational plaques
Things to do near Old South Meeting House
Old State House (2 blocks, 3-minute walk) – This is included with your ticket, so there’s no reason not to visit. Built in 1713, it’s Boston’s oldest surviving public building. The Boston Massacre happened right outside in 1770. Inside, exhibits cover colonial government and the road to independence. Don’t miss the view from the balcony where the Declaration of Independence was first read in Boston.
Faneuil Hall (0.3 miles, 6-minute walk) – Known as the “Cradle of Liberty,” this 1742 building hosted revolutionary meetings and continues to serve as a public forum. The first floor is now a shopping arcade (tourist-oriented, admittedly), but the upper-floor Great Hall is still used for public meetings. Free entry, though donations are appreciated.
Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum (0.4 miles, 8-minute walk) – An interactive museum with replica ships where you can throw tea chests into the harbour (they fish them back out). It’s touristy but engaging, especially if you’ve just visited Old South Meeting House and want the rest of the Tea Party story.
Paul Revere House (0.6 miles, 12-minute walk) – Built around 1680, this is downtown Boston’s oldest building and where Revere lived during his famous midnight ride. It’s remarkably small – you can tour the entire house in 15 minutes. The period furnishings show what middle-class colonial life looked like.
Old North Church (0.7 miles, 15-minute walk) – “One if by land, two if by sea” – this is where two lanterns were hung to signal that British troops were approaching by sea on the night of Revere’s ride. Built in 1723, it’s Boston’s oldest surviving church building. You can sit in the original box pews and climb to the bell tower.
Other good reasons to visit Boston are the JFK Presidential Library, the Back Bay neighbourhood and a Harvard University walking tour in Cambridge.
Practical tips
- Location: On Washington Street in Downtown Boston, directly on the Freedom Trail between Boston Common and the waterfront
- Getting there: State Street station (Blue and Orange Lines) is 3 minutes’ walk. Park Street station (Red and Green Lines) is 7 minutes’ walk. If driving, use the Boston Common Garage on Charles Street – there’s limited street parking
- Time needed: 45 minutes to an hour for Old South Meeting House; add another 45 minutes for the Old State House
- Photography: Allowed for personal use throughout both buildings
- Accessibility: The main floor and lower levels are wheelchair accessible. The upper gallery requires stairs
- Mobile signal: Fine throughout the building
- Crowds: Weekdays are quieter. Weekends and school holidays (especially February and April breaks) can be busy with tour groups
- Combine with: Walking the Freedom Trail is the obvious option. The full 2.5-mile trail takes 2–3 hours without going inside buildings, or a full day if you visit multiple sites
FAQs
Can I visit just one of the two buildings?
No, tickets are only sold as a joint admission to both Old South Meeting House and the Old State House. Given they’re two blocks apart and the ticket is reasonably priced, this isn’t as restrictive as it sounds.
How long should I spend at Old South Meeting House?
Most visitors spend 45 minutes to an hour. If you attend a gallery talk and read all the exhibit text, you could stretch it to 90 minutes. The Old State House takes about the same time.
Is the Freedom Trail worth following?
If you’re interested in American Revolutionary history, absolutely. The 2.5-mile trail connects 16 sites, and Old South Meeting House is one of the most significant. You can walk the entire trail in 2–3 hours, or take a full day if you go inside multiple buildings.
Are there toilets?
Yes, at both Old South Meeting House and the Old State House.
Can I bring a bag or backpack?
Yes, though large bags may be subject to inspection. There are no lockers, so don’t bring anything you can’t carry with you.
What’s the best time of year to visit?
Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) have pleasant weather for walking the Freedom Trail. Summer is busiest with tourists. Winter is quietest but cold – though the buildings are heated.
Is Old South Meeting House suitable for children?
Yes, particularly children studying American history at school. The building itself is interesting, and the story of the Boston Tea Party tends to capture children’s attention. That said, it’s fundamentally a historic building with exhibits, not an interactive children’s museum.
Do I need to visit both sites on the same day?
Yes, your joint ticket is only valid for a single day. Given how close they are, this shouldn’t be a problem.
More Massachusetts travel
Other Massachusetts travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- A first time visitor’s guide to Salem, Massachusetts.
- Discovering the story of baseball, starting at Fenway Park.
- What to expect at the Salem Witch Museum.
- Guide to visiting Hopkinton State Park.
- Why leaf-peeping is not just for old people.
