Booking Group Tours of the Old State House Museum
General Information
All groups must make reservations in advance.
Reservations should be made at least three weeks in advance. Groups of ten or more that arrive at the door without advance reservations may be turned away if the museum is too crowded to accommodate them. If they can be admitted, they must pay full admission fees rather than the reduced group rate.
Notification of cancellation must occur at least 24 hours in advance.
Groups larger than 30 students cannot be admitted to the museum at one time.
Large groups must be divided into groups of 25-30 students and enter the museum at least 15 minutes apart.
School groups must have at least one adult chaperone for every ten students.
Groups that arrive without enough chaperones will not be admitted to the museum. Chaperones must remain with students at all times and actively supervise the visit. One adult for every ten students will be included in the price. There will be a fee for additional adults.
The museum opens at 9 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m.
(Except for January, July, and August when our hours are slightly different.) Group booking will not be made after 4 p.m.
Youth Programs and Tours
The Lion and Unicorn Tour:
Explore the Old State House on Your Own
Bring your group to the building that was the center of Revolutionary Boston! After an introduction from a museum staff member, your group will explore the Old State House museum at its own pace, in a self-guided tour. Enjoy the Revolutionary Era artifacts and the historic chambers of the oldest public building in Boston. Don’t miss the Boston Massacre multi-media show or the popular Hands-on History galleries.
Grades: 1-12
Time: 30-45 minutes
Price: $2.00 per child. Includes admission for 1 adult per 10 children. Additional adults: $5.00 each
Extras: A scavenger hunt and a handbook for The Lion and Unicorn Tour are available below. These will not be available at the Museum, so please remember to bring all materials with you.
The Boston Massacre: You be the Judge!
Many questions remain unanswered about the incident that became known as the Boston Massacre. Did the British soldiers commit murder or did they fire in self-defense? Using material from the original trial records, students role-play the trial of the British soldiers. Students will become lawyers, witnesses, and jurors to explore this complex and at times contradictory historical event. After all the testimonies are heard, students deliberate to reach their own verdict. Requires pre-visit work; materials will be provided when your visit is booked.
Grades: 5-12
Time: 90-120 minutes
Group size: 15-30 children
Price: $6.00 per child. Includes admission for 1 adult per 10 children. Additional adults: $6.00 each
This program is offered free to Boston Public Schools through the Boston People and Places program. Limited availablity; please inquire for details.
Witness to a Massacre - Updated for 2010-2011
This program introduces students to the events of March 5, 1770 through primary documents such as witness accounts and images of the event. As they overlook the site of the Massacre from the Old State House, students will take the role of witnesses and present their own accounts of the event. A Museum Educator will then lead the students in a discussion about the advantages and challenges of using eyewitness accounts to study historical events. Students will then examine and evaluate the Museum’s copy of Paul Revere’s famous engraving of the incident. Pre-visit materials will be provided at the time your visit is booked. For a more in-depth program on the Boston Massacre, please see The Boston Massacre: You be the Judge!
Grades: 5-12
Time: 45-60 minutes
Group size: 15-30 children
Price: $4.00 per child. Includes admission for 1 adult per 10 children. Additional adults: $6.00 each
The Old State House: A Treasure or Trouble?
Preserving old buildings can be difficult and very expensive. So why do we save them? Students will discuss the importance of historic preservation and learn about the Old State House’s remarkable story of rescue from destruction. Photos from recent restoration projects will be on view and students will have the opportunity to handle historical materials—with gloves—taken from the building for preservation purposes. After the program, students will be able to explore the Old State House Museum on their own. Pre-visit materials will be provided at the time your tour is booked.
Grades: 3-8
Time: 45-60 minutes
Group size: 15-30 children
Price: $4.00 per child. Includes admission for 1 adult per 10 children. Additional adults: $6.00 each
Group Tours for High School Students, College Students and Adults
The Lion and Unicorn Tour:
Explore the Old State House on Your Own
Bring your group to the building that was the center of Revolutionary Boston! After an introduction from a museum educator, your group will explore the Old State House museum at its own pace in a self-guided tour. Enjoy the Revolutionary Era artifacts and the historic chambers of the oldest public building in Boston.
Time: 30-45 minutes
Group size: 15-30
Prices: Adults Groups: $5 per person
Senior Groups (62+): $4 per person
College Student Groups: $4 per person
High School Student Groups: $2 per student, includes admission for 1 adult per 10 Students.
Additional adults $5 each.
The Royal Governor’s Tour:
The Revolutionary History of the Old State House
Learn the story of Boston during the time of the Revolution with a guided tour of the Old State House. The tour will focus on the unique artifacts displayed within the building and on the role that the Old State House played in Revolutionary Boston. Find out how the Old State House was transformed from a symbol of British oppression to a symbol of liberty for the new nation.
Time: 45-60 minutes
Group size: 15-30
Prices: Adults Groups: $8.50 per person
Senior Groups (62+): $7.50 per person
College Student Groups: $7.50 per person
High School Student Groups: $4 per student.
Includes admission for 1 adult per 10 students; additional adults are $6 each.
Bricks and Beams:
Old State House Architectural Tour
The architecture of the Old State House is largely tied to the political history of the building. Learn about how this remarkable building has changed throughout its life as a governmental, commercial, and cultural center. Discover the interesting story that led to its preservation, as well as the ongoing preservation efforts that that are taking place at the Old State House today.
Time: 45-60 minutes
Group size: 15-30
Prices: Adults Groups: $8.50 per person
Senior Groups (62+): $7.50 per person
College Student Groups: $7.50 per person
High School Student Groups: $4 per student.
Includes admission for 1 adult per 10 students. Additional adults are $6 each.
Other themed tours are available for senior and adult groups. Topics include: class structure in the 18th century, maritime history, and a detailed look at the Boston Massacre. Please inquire for details.
Making a Reservation
Please complete this form to make a reservation. Groups that arrive without a reservation will not be admitted.
