United States Customshouse

The United States Customshouse is a 19th-century building that served as the customs administration and now functions as a museum, displaying ships, trade documents, and maritime artifacts. Its rooms preserve the original fixtures and provide insight into the daily work of customs officials and how international trade was handled during that era.

The building was constructed in 1855 and served as the center of customs operations during a period of rapid trade growth on the American East Coast. It documents a time when the port became one of the nation's leading commercial centers.

The building houses exhibitions about maritime traditions and the role of customs authorities in controlling trade. Visitors can see how this institution shaped life in a port and what significance it held for the local community.

The museum is located in a historic waterfront area and is easily accessible on foot, with exhibitions spread across multiple floors that you can explore in about 1 to 2 hours. The rooms are clearly organized and allow you to discover the work areas of customs officials on your own.

The building preserves the inspection areas from the original era, where customs officials checked ships and catalogued trade goods. Visitors can see how small and cramped these spaces were, where hundreds of transactions were managed daily.

Location: Massachusetts

Inception: 2005

Operator: Coast Guard Heritage Museum

Website: https://coastguardheritagemuseum.org

GPS coordinates: 41.70028,-70.29917

Latest update: December 9, 2025 20:26