Page 64 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Boston

62  BOST ON AREA B Y AREA

6 Old State House

Dwarfed by the towers of the Financial
District, this was the seat of British colonial
government between 1713 and 1776. The
royal lion and unicorn still dec orate each
corner of the eastern façade. After inde­
pendence, the Massachusetts legislature
took possession of the build ing, and it has
had many uses since, including produce
market, merchants’ exchange, Masonic
lodge, and Boston City Hall. Its wine cellars Old State House amid the sky scrapers
now function as a downtown subway of the Financial District
station. The Old State House houses two
floors of Bostonian Society memorabilia
and a sound and light show about the
Boston Massacre (see p22).

West Façade
A Latin inscription, relating
to the first Massachusetts
Bay colony, runs around
the outside of this crest. The
relief in the center depicts a
local Native American.

KEY
1 Keayne Hall is named after
Robert Keayne who, in 1658, gave
£300 to the city so that the Town Entrance
House, predating the Old State
House, could be built. Exhibits in
the room depict events from
the Revolution.
2 A gold sculpture of an eagle,
symbol of America, can be seen
on the west façade.
3 The tower is a classic example
of Colonial style. In 18th-century
paintings and engravings it can
be seen clearly above the . Central Staircase
Boston skyline. A fine example of
4 The Declaration of 19th-century workmanship,
Independence was read from this the central spiral stair case
balcony in 1776. In the 1830s, when has two beautifully crafted
the building was City Hall, the bal- wooden hand rails. It is one
cony was enlarged to two tiers. of the few such staircases
still in existence in the U.S.

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