National Historic Landmark

Faneuil Hall

Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts
Listed
October 14, 1966
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
66000368

About this property

Faneuil Hall (, , or ) is a historic building in Downtown Boston, Massachusetts, United States. Opened in 1742, the building was designed by artist John Smibert as a marketplace and meeting hall. Faneuil Hall is sometimes referred to as "the Cradle of Liberty", having been the site of many speeches, debates, and other events over its history. Over the years, the building, and especially its Great Hall meeting room, has received commentary for its symbolism. Faneuil Hall is part of Boston National Historical Park and is designated as a National Historic Landmark. It is owned by the Boston government and operated as part of the Faneuil Hall Marketplace. Faneuil Hall hosted regular events and speeches before the American Revolutionary War, along with a marketplace at ground level. The original building burned down in 1761 and was rebuilt over the next decade. Faneuil Hall was remodeled and expanded by Charles Bulfinch in 1806, and it was renovated again in 1827 after the nearby Quincy Market opened. The interiors were rebuilt of noncombustible materials in 1898–1899, and Cram and Ferguson oversaw another renovation between 1923 and 1925. Further modifications took place throughout the 20th century, including several cleaning, fireproofing, restoration, and accessibility projects. The building was renovated again in the 21st century. Faneuil Hall has four stories including the attic, and is made of red brick, divided vertically into several bays. There are entrances and arched sash windows on the first floor, and additional windows on the other stories, each separated by pilasters of varying designs. The slate gable roof has a cupola and a grasshopper-shaped weathervane. Inside, the basement is used for offices and education, while the first floor contains a market area measuring 76 by 100 feet (23 by 30 m). A stair from the main eastern entrance ascends through the building. On the second and third floors is the Great Hall, measuring 28 feet (8.5 m) high and 76 by 76 feet (23 by 23 m) across with various pieces of artwork. There are also small offices on the second floor. The fourth-story attic houses the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts, and there is a commandery room just beneath the cupola.

Location

Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts
42.36007, -71.05622

Categories

POLITICS/GOVERNMENTARCHITECTURESOCIAL HISTORY
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Nearby Historic Sites

Boston National Historical Park
Listed
0 mi
Blackstone Block Historic District
Listed
0.1 mi
Quincy Market
Industrial
0.1 mi
Union Oyster House
Civil War
0.1 mi
Old State House
Industrial
0.1 mi

Nearby Battles

Siege of Boston
1775Revolutionary War
0.1 mi

Questions about this property

When was Faneuil Hall listed on the National Register?

Faneuil Hall was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 14, 1966.

What type of historic resource is Faneuil Hall?

Faneuil Hall is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

Is Faneuil Hall a National Historic Landmark?

Yes. Faneuil Hall has been designated a National Historic Landmark (NHL), the highest level of federal recognition for historic properties in the United States.

What is the period of significance for Faneuil Hall?

The period of significance for Faneuil Hall is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near Faneuil Hall?

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