The tour inside the Old State House is mostly self-guided and there are relevant artifacts from the time to complement the information boards, just like any other museum. The catch was the tour guide Ed who did a 20 min talk on the history of the building and shared some really interesting nuggets with us. We all got to sit on the big table during the talk and had a picture taken.

We stopped in as part of the Freedom Trail and self toured the museum. The docents were friendly and informative. The museum displays were very good. There were a number of artifacts which were interesting to see. A good spot on the Trail.

Built in 1712, this building was the seat of colonial government for Massachusetts, but also the earliest seat of government for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts after the Revolution as well. Here the highest courts in the colony met, the Governor had his office and state legislature met. It was the first brick Government structure in Boston and reflects it dual history with one side capped by an eagle, the symbol for the new United States, and the other side capped by the Lion and Unicorn, symbols of Great Britain the Lion for England and Unicorn for Scotland. On the east face, Lion and Unicorn side, there is a small balcony off the Governor's chamber where the Declaration of Independence was first read to the citizens of Boston in 1776. In the center is a cupola structure that would have provide a good viewpoint of colonial Boston. Today the historic structure is surrounded by modern skyscrapers that obscure it. For me this is the best part of visiting this site. The juxtaposition of the old and the new is so pronounced and surreal. There is a nominal fee for entrance. However, for me, the interior is well worth the visit due to the history for just the structure itself. There is a great museum here with displays on the first and second floors as well as a gift shop. The second floor also contains the former Governor's office that has be designed as it was around the Revolutionary War. Finally, there is the beautiful spiral staircase in the center that provided access to each. It really is a work of beauty in its own right. There is so much history that has taken place at this building including the Boston Massacre just outside the east wall of the building. For me this is a Boston MUST SEE, well worth the nominal charge for entrance.