Massachusetts State House, Boston, Visitor Guide & Things to Do Nearby

The Massachusetts State House is the seat of government for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, standing on Beacon Hill in Boston. It houses the state legislature and the governor's offices, and its gold dome is one of the best-known landmarks on the Boston skyline.

The story behind it

The building was designed by the architect Charles Bulfinch and completed in the late 1790s, replacing the old Province House as the home of state government. It was built on Beacon Hill, on pastureland that had once belonged to John Hancock. Paul Revere took part in the early days of the project, and his company later covered the original wooden dome in copper to protect it from leaks.

The dome has changed its look several times. It was painted gold in 1874, and during World War II it was painted gray so that it would be harder to spot from the air. It was gilded again in 1997 with 23-karat gold leaf, which is what shines above Beacon Street today. The legislature meets here under the Massachusetts Constitution of 1780, which is the oldest written constitution still in effect anywhere in the world.

What to look for

• The gold dome, topped with a small pine cone, a nod to the importance of the lumber trade in early Massachusetts.
• The statues on the front lawn, which honor figures from Massachusetts history, including Anne Hutchinson, Mary Dyer, Daniel Webster and Horace Mann.
• The Robert Gould Shaw and 54th Regiment Memorial across Beacon Street, at the edge of Boston Common, a short look away from the State House steps.
• The Sacred Cod, a carved wooden fish that hangs in the House of Representatives chamber, if you join a visit inside.

Tips for your visit

• Allow 15 to 20 minutes for the outside and the view from Beacon Street, or longer if you take a tour of the interior.
• The building is a working government office, so check current opening hours, tour availability and security rules before you go.
• Morning light on the dome is lovely, and the gilding looks its best on a clear day.
• Boston Common, Park Street Church and the Granary Burying Ground are all within a few minutes on foot, and the Freedom Trail passes right by.

See it on a quest

Historical Boston: The Record Breaker brings you to the State House on foot as one stop on a longer route through central Boston. The app tells you about each place as you arrive and sets a puzzle based on what is in front of you, so you look at the building and its surroundings more closely. It is a ticketed quest, and one ticket covers the whole group.