Revolutionary Spaces – Old South Meeting House

The Old South Meeting House is a historic site and museum in downtown Boston operated by Revolutionary Spaces, a nonprofit that also runs the nearby Old State House. Built in 1729, it was one of the largest buildings in colonial Boston and hosted the mass meetings that led to the American Revolution. On December 16, 1773, thousands gathered there to protest the Tea Act before heading to the harbor for what became the Boston Tea Party.

For nearly three centuries the building has served as a place of worship, public gathering, and debate. Today it presents exhibits, public and educational programs, and private events, and Revolutionary Spaces runs an immersive show called Experience Revolution. The organization’s mission is to connect people with the history and practice of democracy, and it offers custom on-site and virtual programs for families and school groups. A 3D online tour shows areas closed to the public.

What to Know

• The meeting house is a National Historic Landmark and part of Boston National Historical Park on the Freedom Trail.
• Its rescue was the oldest private preservation project in New England and the second oldest in the country.
• The tower clock, installed in 1770, is the nation’s oldest American-made tower clock still running in place.
• The site is listed as a wheelchair-accessible experience by Meet Boston.