Massachusetts State House in Boston

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See the Historic Sites web page for an interactive location map.

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LOCATION

The Massachusetts State House is located at 24 Beacon Street.

OPERATING HOURS

The Massachusetts State House is open weekdays year-round from 8:45 AM to 5 PM. Guided tours are typically given from 10 AM to 3:30 PM. For the current schedule and other information be sure to check the Massachusetts State House Tour Information web page.

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Massachusetts State House is a stop on the Freedom Trail® though it has nothing to do with the American Revolution. It is, however, one of my favorite attractions within Boston National Historical Park. The building is absolutely gorgeous inside—it has to be the closest thing to a Versailles Palace that we have in the United States. It’s much nicer than the White House. If you like visiting ornate mansions, you don’t want to miss this.

The State House is an active government building, so visitors must pass through airport-type security to enter. Once inside you are welcome to walk around on your own or join a guided tour—a tour is hands down the best way to go. They are also free. (Note: Self-guided tours are not available for groups of 10 or more people. Group must schedule a guided tour.)

The massive building that stands today is much larger than the original one designed by prominent Boston architect Charles Bulfinch and constructed between 1795 and 1798 as a replacement for what is now called the Old State House (also an attraction within Boston National Historical Park). The entire backside of today’s building was designed by Charles Brigham and added between 1889 and 1895, while the side wings were completed in 1917. You can easily tell the original 1790s Bulfinch building apart from the later additions because it is the section made of red brick. From the street it’s hard to see how big it is because you cannot see the depth, but walk around to the side and you will find that the building isn’t very deep at all—only about 65 feet.

3D Satellite view of the Massachusetts State House

The other major difference between the original building and the one standing today is the dome. The original dome was made of whitewashed shingles. However, these leaked quite often, so in 1802 Paul Revere’s company was hired to cover the dome in copper. Of course that soon oxidized and turned green, so it was eventually painted, at one time grey and at another time gold. In 1874 it was gold plated, which is how the dome appears to this day.

TOURING THE STATE HOUSE

Intern leads a tour of the Massachusetts State House

Visitors to the Massachusetts State House have the option of taking a guided or self-guided tour. If you prefer a self-guided tour, just show up during normal business hours and go to the Tours and Information Desk in Doric Hall on the second floor of the building. There is some written material available, and you are allowed to visit all of the rooms that are visited on a guided tour. You can even start a self-guided tour when the State House opens at 8:45 AM and can tour the building until the 5 PM closing time. However, you won’t get as much information as on a guided tour.

If you want to attend a guided tour, according to the State House website, you must make a reservation ahead of time by calling (617) 727-3676. No reservations can be made online. In prior years, you could just show up and get on the next tour, and I wouldn’t be surprised if this is still the case. There is room for up to 50 people on a tour, and I can’t imagine that if you show up at the tour desk to inquire about a self-guided tour that the receptionist would not let you know that there are spots open for an upcoming guided tour. But that’s just my guess, as I have not been back since COVID restrictions were eliminated. If you know your schedule in advance, make the phone call. Otherwise, just be satisfied with a self-guided tour if that’s all you can get.

The guided tour lasts about an hour and covers nearly every room in the building other than offices. It was much more than I expected. The guide I had was very knowledgeable and provided all sorts of nifty information. Of course I couldn’t remember most of it by the time the tour was over, but I will always remember how marvelous it is inside the building.

Take a virtual tour of the Massachusetts State House here on National Park Planner. A menu at the bottom of each page allows you to navigate to the next stop on the tour.

Stop 1: Doric Hall

Stop 2: Nurses Hall

Stop 3: Hall of Flags

Stop 4: Great Hall

Stop 5: Grand Staircase

Stop 6: House of Representatives

Stop 7: Senate Chamber

Stop 8: Governor’s Waiting Room

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