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Massachusetts State House

Massachusetts State House

Capitol Building and Government Building
Beacon Hill, Boston
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  • Tips
    Roy W.
    "Beautiful golden dome."(3 Tips)
    Ben T.
    "Ask about the hanging cod in the house of reps"(2 Tips)
    Carl G.
    "Excellent tours of this impressive building are very informative."(16 Tips)
    IWalked Audio Tours
    "Dome covered in 23.5 carrot gold leaf."(2 Tips)
Tips and Reviews icon50 Tips and reviews
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  • HISTORY
    HISTORYMarch 31, 2010
    Built in 1798, the State House is widely acclaimed as one of the more magnificent buildings in the US. The golden dome, its most distinct feature, once made of wood, was most recently gilded in 1997.
    Upvoted Oct 7
  • Tingheart icon on user image
    TingOctober 6, 2015
    Don't miss the informative tours available here daily. Best to call ahead for timings and reserve. Great insight to the workings of the state's legislators - House of reps and the senates.
    Upvoted Nov 9
  • Fluying ✅.
    Fluying ✅October 9, 2017
    The dome was painted gray during WWII to keep it dark during black outs, then re-gilded with 23k gold in 1997. The gold leaf is so thin that if rolled together, would be about the size of a pineapple
  • Fluying ✅.
    Fluying ✅October 9, 2017
    The tours are given weekdays year-round from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm, and are free of charge. The building is open from 8:45 am to 5 pm. The Massachusetts State House is closed on weekends and holidays.
  • Fluying ✅.
    Fluying ✅October 9, 2017
    Building started on July 4th 1795, when, with Samuel Adam and Paul Revere presiding, 15 white horses (one for each state in the union -13 plus Vermont and Kentucky) pulled the cornerstone up the hill.
  • Jake S.heart icon on user image
    Jake SmithJanuary 6, 2013
    Been here 5+ times
    One of Boston's most enduring nicknames, "The Hub of the Universe," is from a remark by Oliver Wendell Holmes in which he states that the "Boston State-House is the Hub of the Solar System."
  • Lizzie H.heart icon on user image
    Lizzie HatfieldMarch 21, 2016
    Free tours before 3.30pm each day. Really beautiful and worth a visit. Enter via the general hooker entrance (not the main entrance, that's ceremonial).
  • IWalked Audio Tours
    IWalked Audio ToursSeptember 7, 2011
    Built 1798 as replacement of Old State House on Washington St. Where all distances in Boston measured from. Dome covered in 23.5 carrot gold leaf. Dome painted black during WWII. More info in our blog Read more
  • Paul F.
    Paul FJuly 24, 2018
    Been here 100+ times
    Amazing building. Check out the park on the back side. Its beautiful with nice memorials.
  • Na H.
    Na HuangSeptember 11, 2013
    Tour strongly recommended!! Guides are nice and funny!! Know a lot of interesting history stuff!!
  • BU Today
    BU TodayJune 11, 2012
    The Massachusetts State House sits at the top of Beacon Hill on land that was once John Hancock’s cow pasture. Tours are offered weekdays from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Read more
  • Ashly S.
    Ashly SanfordAugust 29, 2013
    Awesome structure and worth a trip inside too! After strolling to the top of the boston commons come check out the state house.
  • A S.heart icon on user image
    A SOctober 13, 2016
    Get a photo by the state house with a golden dome. You can spot it in most Boston skyline pictures.
  • Justin T.
    Justin ThompsonOctober 5, 2011
    Been here 100+ times
    Our State House was designed by Charles Bulfinch, America's first great architect, who also designed the first dome of the US Capitol (replaced in the mid-1800s by the one we know today.)
  • Rich .heart icon on user image
    Rich 📊January 8, 2016
    I was really impressed by the tour. Highly recommend to call ahead and reserve a tour spot.
  • Carl G.heart icon on user image
    Carl GriffinJanuary 8, 2016
    Excellent tours of this impressive building are very informative.
  • The Ritz-Carlton
    The Ritz-CarltonJune 20, 2011
    After you visit the State House, stroll around Beacon Hill, one of the oldest neighborhoods in Boston. Robert Frost, Sylvia Plath, and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once lived here.
  • Boston University
    Boston UniversityJuly 3, 2012
    On March 8, 1954, Professor Westmeyer took his College of General Education (what is now the College of General Studies) class on a tour of the State House.
  • Michael C.
    Michael CapletteMay 31, 2017
    No ono e's life, liberty, or property is safe when the Great and General Court is in session.
  • Paolo L.
    Paolo LimSeptember 27, 2016
    Go on free tours. You will see one of the chambers and the governor's office.
  • Retro Campaigns
    Retro CampaignsJanuary 13, 2012
    President-elect John F. Kennedy addressed the Massachusetts General Court here on January 9, 1961, in what would later be known as The City Upon a Hill speech. Listen to the audio at the link. Read more
  • Alicia B.heart icon on user image
    Alicia BrooksFebruary 14, 2013
    Free tours! It's an absolutely gorgeous building, a must see if you are in town!
  • The Ritz-Carlton
    The Ritz-CarltonJune 4, 2013
    Look up when you get to the Massachusetts State House. The dome is constructed of 23-karat gold!
  • Rami I.heart icon on user image
    Rami IsmailOctober 28, 2016
    Gorgeous and full of history. Some amazing architecture.
  • Hard R.
    Hard RockerSeptember 22, 2014
    Great photo on a sunny day--the dome shimmers from the sunlight.
  • Анастасия А.heart icon on user image
    You can go inside without a tour.
  • Luciana S.
    Luciana SallesJuly 9, 2012
    Simply splendid and a great piece of Boston's renovations!
  • William K P.heart icon on user image
    William K ParkerSeptember 23, 2022
    Loved the tribute to the firefighters
  • Can E.heart icon on user image
    Can ErdemMarch 10, 2018
    Nice top!!!
  • Rodrigo A.heart icon on user image
    Rodrigo ArtaviaApril 11, 2015
    Awesome place, free guided tours !
  • Justin B.heart icon on user image
    Justin BradyAugust 12, 2014
    The location of the first state-sanctioned same-sex marriages in the United States! #marriageequality
  • SupahFans S.
    SupahFans StreetwearMay 23, 2012
    Been here 5+ times
    Take the time to visit your elected state leaders. Here is Representative Brian Ashe from Monson, MA
  • André V.
    André VillarDecember 20, 2012
    Beautifull historical building, should be seen to understand this states history
  • Edward M.heart icon on user image
    Edward MansonApril 18, 2017
    What more can you say other than a 23k gold dome? 🙌
  • kathleen w.
    kathleen watsonNovember 2, 2013
    Been here 10+ times
    Decorated for the Red Sox win!
  • BU Student Activities
    BU Student ActivitiesFebruary 3, 2012
    Hey BU Seniors! Grab a group of your friends and call to schedule a tour!
  • Roy W.
    Roy WilskerMay 4, 2019
    Beautiful golden dome.
  • Stewart C.
    Stewart CraisApril 19, 2013
    Come at night! Gorgeous!
  • Huong P.
    Huong PhanNovember 29, 2011
    Been here 5+ times
    Check out the bird sculpture in the Senate Chambers and tell me what you think it is!
  • Terrence
    TerrenceApril 28, 2013
    some parts look nice. some parts do not. go to the nice parts
  • Brad H.
    Brad HartnettNovember 23, 2011
    Great tourist location. Brought the gf here for a pic and a stroll
  • Ben T.
    Ben ThompsonDecember 3, 2011
    Ask about the hanging cod in the house of reps
  • Mary S.heart icon on user image
    Mary SAugust 8, 2014
    So pretty and clean!
  • Kyle d.
    Kyle de BeaussetJune 28, 2011
    Been here 10+ times
    Tell your State Reps to stop passing anti-migrant budget amendments.
  • Brad B.
    Brad BlakeJanuary 13, 2010
    Been here 5+ times
    Come into the building and see if you can find the Sacred Cod and the Holy Mackerel
  • Sean R.heart icon on user image
    Sean RourkeDecember 6, 2014
    Been here 100+ times
    The birthplace of American Democracy! But no wifi :(
  • Biz T.heart icon on user image
    Biz TraveldudeMay 27, 2017
    Bastion of liberal waste
  • Bryan N.
    Bryan NeuschaeferOctober 27, 2010
    Mary's tour lasts forever.....1.5 hrs
  • david k.
    david knightJune 20, 2010
    Tour of Massachusetts State House
  • Luciano F.
    Luciano FelicioMarch 18, 2013
    Tours são curtos e bastante informativos. Preste atenção nas duas armas originais da independência americana em exposição no senado
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