Old South Meeting House, Colonial church in Downtown Boston, United States
Description
The Old South Meeting House is a two-story brick building with white trim and a 162-foot (49 meters) steeple at the center of Boston. The interior consists of a plain hall with wooden benches and galleries on three sides, typical of colonial-era Puritan meeting houses.
History
The building was erected in 1729 as a Puritan meeting house and served colonists as a gathering place for political debate. British troops used it as a riding school during the occupation of Boston, destroying the interior furnishings and benches.
Culture
The name refers to its southern location within seventeenth-century Puritan Boston. Visitors today can see exhibits that recall the pre-revolutionary gatherings, including broadsides and everyday objects from colonial times.
Practical
The building sits on the Freedom Trail and is easily reached on foot from other historic sites downtown. Visitors should note that the galleries are accessed by narrow wooden staircases, which may limit mobility.
Did you know?
The tower holds a clock from 1766 made by Gawen Brown, still working in its original spot. The bell itself was cast by Paul Revere, a well-known Boston silversmith and revolutionary figure.
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