Frommers.com Frommers.com
Most Recent Boston Forum Posts
Most Recommended Articles
Most Commented Articles

Paul Revere House Frommer's Exceptional

19 North Sq, Boston, MA

Frommer's ReviewMap It
Hours Apr 15-Oct daily 9:30am-5:15pm; Apr 1-14 and Nov-Dec daily 9:30am-4:15pm; Jan-Mar Tues-Sun 9:30am-4:15pm
Transportation T: Green or Orange Line to Haymarket, Blue Line to Aquarium, or Green or Blue Line to Government Center
Phone 617/523-2338
Web site www.paulreverehouse.org
Prices Admission $3.50 adults, $3 seniors and students, $1 children 5-17, free for children 4 and under
Closed Closed Jan 1, Thanksgiving, and Dec 25

Review of Paul Revere House

One of the most pleasant stops on the Freedom Trail, this 2 1/2-story wood structure presents history on a human scale. Revere (1734-1818) was living here when he set out for Lexington on April 18, 1775, a feat immortalized in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem "Paul Revere's Ride" ("Listen my children and you shall hear / Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere"). It holds neatly arranged and identified 17th- and 18th-century furnishings and artifacts, including the famous Revere silver, considered some of the finest anywhere. The oldest house in downtown Boston, it was built around 1680, bought by Revere in 1770, and put to a number of uses before being turned into a museum in 1908.

The thought-provoking tour is self-guided, with staff members around in case you have questions. The format allows you to linger on the artifacts that hold your interest. Revere and his two wives had a total of 16 children -- he called them "my lambs" -- and he supported the family with a thriving silversmith's trade. At his home, you'll get a good sense of the risks he took in the events that led to the Revolutionary War. Across the courtyard is the home of Revere's Hichborn cousins, the Pierce/Hichborn House. The 1711 Georgian-style home is a rare example of 18th-century middle-class architecture. It's suitably furnished and shown only by guided tour (usually twice a day at busy times). Contact the Paul Revere House for schedules and reservations.

A new Education and Visitor Center in a 19th-century building adjoining the house should be open by the time you visit. The center will give visitors with disabilities access to the second floor of the Revere House for the first time.

Before you leave North Square, look across the cobblestone plaza at Sacred Heart Church. It was established in 1833 as the Seamen's Bethel, a church devoted to the needs of the mariners who frequented the area. Wharves ran up almost this far in colonial days; in the 19th century, this was a notorious red-light district.

To continue on the Freedom Trail: The trail leaves the square on Prince Street and runs along Hanover Street past Clark Street. Before turning onto Prince Street, take a few steps down Garden Court Street and look for no. 4, on the right. The private residence was the birthplace of Rose Fitzgerald (later Kennedy).

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.


Back to Top



Destination Guide
Destination Guide Destination Guide Destination Guide
Destination Guide Destination Guide Frommer's Boston 2012 Destination Guide Frommer's Boston 2012

Author: Marie Morris
Pub Date: September 27, 2011

Learn More
Destination Guide Destination Guide Destination Guide Related Titles:
50 HIKES IN MASSACHUSETTS: A YEAR ROUND GUIDE TO HIKES AND WALKS FROM THE TOP OF THE BERKSHIRES TO THE TIP OF CAPE COD 4E
Destination Guide
AARP Boston 2012
Destination Guide
AARP Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts: ShortCuts
Destination Guide
Destination Guide Destination Guide
Destination Guide Destination Guide Destination Guide
Destination Guide
Destinations
Destinations
 
 

Frommer's Star Ratings

Frommer's Recommended 0 stars Frommer's Recommended
Frommer's Highly Recommended 1 stars Frommer's Highly Recommended
Frommer's Very Highly Recommended 2 stars Frommer's Very Highly Recommended
Frommer's Exceptional 3 stars Frommer's Exceptional

About Our System

Frommer's ranks every hotel, restaurant, attraction, shop, and nightlife establishment it reviews for quality, value, service, amenities, and special features using a star-rating scale, an expression of the strong compare-and-contrast opinions that are a brand hallmark.

Other ratings provide stars based primarily on price and amenities; the Frommer's star rating is meant to quantify the kind of intangible, experiential elements that help travelers make informed decisions.

The "baseline" recommendation is zero stars--every hotel, restaurant, attraction, shop, and nightlife establishment that Frommer's chooses to review is recommended; otherwise, we simply wouldn't include it.

Close Window