Old State House

Flanked by towering neighbors several times its size, this icon of American history embodies the stubborn pride of the early rebels. One of the highlights of the Boston Freedom Trail, this building once served as the seat of the pre-revolutionary Colonial government and also as Boston's City Hall in the 1830s. Although the tiny red brick building survived the Revolutionary War, it almost didn't survive the 19th century, when it fell into disrepair. However, when the city of Chicago offered to buy it in 1880, members of the fledgling Bostonian Society were spurred to action and raised funds to save the building. The museum (restored to its 18th-century appearance) displays a permanent collection of colonial artifacts, as well as rotating exhibits on more recent events. Admission $5, students and seniors $4, children 6-18 $1. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.