Old South Meeting House

The Old South Meeting House, on the Freedom Trail, was not a church, but rather a meeting house for Puritan worship. Today it serves as the Old South Meeting House Museum. Built in 1729 as a Puritan meeting house, Old South Meeting House was the stage for some of the most dramatic events leading up to the American Revolution. None was more important than a meeting that occurred on December 16, 1773. Over 30 tons of taxable tea sat in the holds of three ships, the Dartmouth, Eleanor, and Beaver, moored at Griffin’s Wharf. Not wanting to pay the onerous duty, thousands of Bostonians crowded into Old South Meeting House to take part in a heated discussion of what was to be done with the tea. After the failure of a final attempt to have the tea sent back to England, Samuel Adams addressed the crowd saying, Gentlemen, this meeting can do nothing more to save the country. These words were rumored to be a secret signal to the Sons of Liberty. Cries of Boston Harbour—a tea pot tonight were heard throughout the hall, and men disguised as mohawk Indians marched down to Griffin’s Wharf to witness the fateful destruction of 342 crates of tea. It became known as the Boston Tea Party and set that stage for American history.

Old South Meeting House
310 Washington Street
617-482-6439
November - March: daily 10:00 - 4:00
April - October: daily 9:30 - 5:00
www.oldsouthmeetinghouse.org

A TIMELY RESCUE In 1876, Old South Meeting House was sold by its congregation and scheduled for demolition. At the final hour, a determined group of activists saved it from the wrecking ball, ushering in the first successful historic preservation effort in New England. In 1877, Old South Meeting House was incorporated as an active museum and historic landmark open to the public.

PHILLIS WHEATLEY Phillis Wheatley was a member of the Old South Meeting House congregation, where as a young girl she drew inspiration for writing poetry. In 1773 she became an international celebrity as one of the first African-Americans to publish a book, Poems on Various Subjects Religious and Moral. Kidnapped from Africa and sold into slavery in Boston, Wheatley overcame incredible odds and her accomplishments challenged many Bostonians’ views on race. A rare original edition of her book is on exhibit at the Old South Meeting House.

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Sign-up to receive updates on upcoming Freedom Trail events and tours – view full calendar –	Home > Visitor > Old South Meeting House Old South Meeting House The Old South Meeting House, on the Freedom Trail, was not a church, but rather a meeting house for Puritan worship. Today it serves as the Old South Meeting House Museum. Built in 1729 as a Puritan meeting house, Old South Meeting House was the stage for some of the most dramatic events leading up to the American Revolution. None was more important than a meeting that occurred on December 16, 1773. Over 30 tons of taxable tea sat in the holds of three ships, the Dartmouth, Eleanor, and Beaver, moored at Griffin’s Wharf. Not wanting to pay the onerous duty, thousands of Bostonians crowded into Old South Meeting House to take part in a heated discussion of what was to be done with the tea. After the failure of a final attempt to have the tea sent back to England, Samuel Adams addressed the crowd saying, Gentlemen, this meeting can do nothing more to save the country. These words were rumored to be a secret signal to the Sons of Liberty. Cries of Boston Harbour—a tea pot tonight were heard throughout the hall, and men disguised as mohawk Indians marched down to Griffin’s Wharf to witness the fateful destruction of 342 crates of tea. It became known as the Boston Tea Party and set that stage for American history. Old South Meeting House 310 Washington Street 617-482-6439 November - March: daily 10:00 - 4:00 April - October: daily 9:30 - 5:00 www.oldsouthmeetinghouse.org A TIMELY RESCUE In 1876, Old South Meeting House was sold by its congregation and scheduled for demolition. At the final hour, a determined group of activists saved it from the wrecking ball, ushering in the first successful historic preservation effort in New England. In 1877, Old South Meeting House was incorporated as an active museum and historic landmark open to the public. PHILLIS WHEATLEY Phillis Wheatley was a member of the Old South Meeting House congregation, where as a young girl she drew inspiration for writing poetry. In 1773 she became an international celebrity as one of the first African-Americans to publish a book, Poems on Various Subjects Religious and Moral. Kidnapped from Africa and sold into slavery in Boston, Wheatley overcame incredible odds and her accomplishments challenged many Bostonians’ views on race. A rare original edition of her book is on exhibit at the Old South Meeting House.