photo courtesy of Tim Corbett
Since 1881, the Bostonian Society has been the caretaker of the Old State House, the birthplace of the American Revolution in Boston.
Our Mission
The Bostonian Society is dedicated to explaining, studying, and preserving Boston’s uniquely important history, embodied in materials, records, and structures such as the Old State House, and in sharing an understanding of the revolutionary ideas born here.
About the Bostonian Society
Established in 1881, the nonprofit Bostonian Society is the primary steward of the Old State House and its collection of Revolutionary American artifacts and records. The Society was established at the dawn of the historic preservation movement, to rescue the Old State House from threatened demolition, and to preserve it on-site when an offer from Chicago's citizens proposed that it be moved to Lake Michigan.
Today the Bostonian Society maintains this national historic treasure for the public, raising all funds for its ongoing preservation and restoration. The Society's staff interprets the Revolutionary-era history of Boston for future generations every day in the museum. In addition, the Bostonian Society maintains a research library and a collection of over 7,500 books, 350 maps, and over 30,000 photographs. The Society also makes accessible an extensive collection of paintings, sculpture, textiles, and archival materials for researchers and students.
Consider supporting the Bostonian Society and the Old State House by donating today!
In the NEws
- The Armenian Mirror-Spectator –
"Armenian Connection to Boston Time Capsule Mystery Investigated" (26 Dec 2015) The Boston Globe – "Time capsule hidden in lion statue becomes subject of documentary" (13 Oct 2015)
- Boston Magazine − "It's Official: There's a Time Capsule Inside the Head of the Lion from the Old State House" (23 Sept 2014)
- The Boston Globe − "Time capsule found inside Old State House lion statue" (23 Sept 2014)
- Boston.com − "113-Year-Old Time Capsule Found Inside Old State House Statue" (23 Sept 2014)
- Boston Herald − "Lion may guard Boston time capsule" (15 Sept 2014)
- The Boston Globe − "The history behind Boston's first fashionista" (25 Jun 2014)
- The Boston Globe − "Bostonian Society displays colonial wedding dress" (21 Jun 2014)
- m/Oppenheim TV's Insight − "A Minute with Brian Lemay, President and Executive Director of the Bostonian Society" (23 May 2014)
- Boston.com − "Boston's Council Chamber Transforms Into A Unique Interactive Exhibit" (3 April 2014)
- Comcast Newsmakers − "A conversation with Brian LeMay, Bostonian Society President and Executive Director" (Jul 2013)
- The Boston Globe - Opinion, Keith Lockhart − "Where it all really began: The Old State House, a symbol of the path to independence, needs a facelife" (4 May 2013)
For media inquiries, please contact us by email or by telephone at 617-720-1713, ext. 120.
Download our press materials here.
