The Old State House

The Old State House, Boston’s oldest public building, was built in 1713 as the seat of British colonial government. Here the Royal Governor and the Massachusetts Assembly debated the Stamp Acts and the Writs of Assistance. The Declaration of Independence was first read to Bostonians from the east balcony on July 18, 1776.<br><br>The building served as the State House until 1798, and was also Boston’s City Hall from 1830 to 1841.