Downtown in Boston in Suffolk County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
Old South Meeting House
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 6, 2026
1. Old South Meeting House Marker
This brick meeting house was built in 1729 to replace the Cedar Meeting House, which its dissident Puritan congregation had outgrown. Here Benjamin Franklin was baptized and African-American poet Phillis Wheatley worshipped. In 1876, the venerable structure was nearly demolished, but Bostonians rallied to rescue Old South. It was the first instance of historic preservation in New England.
Erected by The Bostonian Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Religion & Religious Structures • War, US Revolutionary • Women. In addition, it is included in the Signers of the Declaration of Independence series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1729.
Location. 42° 21.427′ N, 71° 3.507′ W. Marker is in Boston, Massachusetts, in Suffolk County. It is in Downtown. It is on Washington Street north of Milk Street, on the right when traveling north. The marker
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Historic Boston. It is also in the American Northeast, in New England, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Old South Meeting House (a few steps from this marker); Abigail Adams (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Old South Meeting House (a few steps from this marker); See Where the Boston Tea Party Began (a few steps from this marker); John Adams (a few steps from this marker); Phillis Wheatley (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Old South Meeting House (within shouting distance of this marker); Boston Irish Famine Memorial (within
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 6, 2026
2. Old South Meeting House Marker
Also see . . . Old South Meeting House. From the Freedom Trail website.
Excerpt: "Old South became the center for massive public protest meetings against British actions in colonial Boston from 1768-75. Patriots and Loyalists alike met to argue and inform, to protest the impressment of sailors into the King’s navy, and to commemorate the bloody Boston Massacre of 1770. Yet it was the series of meetings that culminated on December 16, 1773 that sealed Old South’s fate as one of this country’s most significant buildings. On that day, over 5,000 men crowded into the meeting house to hotly debate the controversial tea tax. When the final attempt at compromise failed, Samuel Adams gave the signal that started the Boston Tea Party. The Sons of Liberty led the way to Griffin’s Wharf, where they dumped 342 chests of tea into the frigid harbor."(Submitted on November 11, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 6, 2026
3. Old South Meeting House Marker
The marker is visible on the wall of the building.
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 6, 2026
4. Front view of Old South Meeting House
Credits. This page was last revised on November 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 11, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 11, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
