When you travel to Boston MA, you may want to know more about the State House. The construction for the Boston State House took about 2 years from 1795 to 1797. This State House is also known as the New State House because it had replaced the previously constructed State House that was constructed in 1713. The old state house is now considered to be one of the oldest public buildings that have survived up to this day and it can be found on Court Street.
The new Boston State House is located on the Beacon Hill that is overlooking the beautiful Boston Common. The land where it was built was actually owned by John Hancock, the first governor of Massachusetts. He donated the land and depend the project on the most renowned architect of their time, Charles Bullfinch.
He designed the building with a dome on top that originally used wood shingles but now it’s covered with copper and 23k gold. It looks aesthetically grand but its main purpose was to prevent any leaking to the building.
On its terrace, you will see the 2 statues of Daniel Webster and Horace Mann. In front of the building is the statue of General Joseph Hooker riding a horse. You will also find a statue of the former President JFK as well. On the east and west wings, you’ll find a statue of Anne Hutchinson and a statue of Mary Dyer.
On the building’s first floor, you will find the Doric Hall, the Hall of Flags where you will find historical paintings and flags, the Great Hall which was added only in 1990. Governor’s offices are on the west while the former house of representatives is now occupied by their senate.
The house of representatives now occupies the west chamber. In the House of Representatives, they hanged the Sacred Cod which acts as a symbol of the fishing industry and its importance to Massachusetts. On its second floor, you’ll find famous murals of Edward Brodney.
The Doric Hall’s doors are only open for 3 very special occasions only which is why it is seldom used. The Boston State House Doric Hall opens when the President of the United States of America comes to visit, when the governor exits and vacates his position he has to do the traditional Long Walk that stars from the Executive chamber, to the second floor and out of the Doric Hall and walks to Boston Common, and lastly when a flag from a battle returns.
State House Address
24 Beacon St.
Boston, MA 02133-1030
Contact:
Tel: (617) 727-3676
Email: N/A
State House Hours:
Open Monday-Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Ticket Information for State House: Free
Website: http://www.thefreedomtrail.org/visitor/state-house.html