Join a Historic Town Meeting at Faneuil Hall (U.S. National Park Service)

A woman in a green 1800s dress stands in front of the stage and paintings in the Great Hall — Join Rangers in recreating historic town meetings.
NPS Photo M Bozio

Make your voice heard by joining the National Parks of Boston for compelling reenactments of three historic town meetings!

Inspired by real words spoken in historic town meetings in Faneuil Hall and around Boston, these programs encourage audience members to participate in debates from pivotal moments of Boston's history. Debate with your fellow audience members and vote on the issue. Have your voice heard in town meeting!

2026 Season (June 25- September 6)

Join a ranger for a historic town meeting Thursday through Sunday at 2 pm. No registration is required.

The following town meeting reenactments will be offered throughout the summer:

"Declaring Independence" 1776 Town Meeting

250 years ago, citizens gathered at local town meetings throughout Massachusetts. Each town had to determine if they supported their delegates decision to declare independence from Great Britain. How will Boston vote?

"Rocking the Cradle" 1854 Town Meeting

In May of 1854 Federal Marshals arrested Anthony Burns under the 1850 Fugitive Slave Law. Immediately following Burns’ arrest, Bostonians gathered at Faneuil Hall to discuss whether they would abide by this federal law or appeal to a higher law of freedom and liberty for all. The eyes of the nation were firmly fixed upon Boston. How will Boston respond?

"Woman's Tea Party" 1873 Town Meeting

On December 15, 1873 Boston’s suffragists held the New England Women's Tea Party, a massive suffrage rally in the Great Hall of Faneuil Hall. Leading suffragists, including Lucy Stone, Frederick Douglass, and Mary Livermore, delivered rousing speeches to a crowd of more than three thousand, furthering the suffrage movement in Boston. Will Boston support women's suffrage?

Special Events

Celebrate the 253rd anniversary of the Boston Tea Party at Faneuil Hall

In May of 1774 Bostonians gathered in the Great Hall in Faneuil Hall to vote on their response to the punishment from Parliament for the Boston Tea Party. Should Bostonians vote to pay for the destroyed private property and reopen the port? Or should they endorse a boycott of British goods and continue protesting Parliament?

Nearly 100 years later, on December 15, 1873, the New England Women’s Suffrage Association organized the “Woman’s Tea Party,” a massive rally in the Great Hall of Faneuil Hall. At the conclusion of the meeting, those in attendance voted on a resolution. Should they continue to fight for women to gain the right to vote?

Join us at 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm on December 12 in the Great Hall in Faneuil Hall and help the National Parks of Boston recreate these historic meetings! Both programs are free, open to the public for all ages, and last 30-45 minutes.

Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.

Town Meetings at Faneuil Hall take place on the 2nd floor which is accessible through an elevator on the 1st floor.

Last updated: August 29, 2026