Join a Historic Town Meeting at Faneuil 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!

"The Destruction of the Tea" 1774 Town Meeting

250 years ago, to protest a tax placed upon tea, Bostonians loosely disguised themselves and boarded three tea ships at Griffins Wharf. They worked throughout the night to dump over 300 chests of tea into the harbor. In response to the destruction of over 90,000 pounds of East India Company Property, Parliament passed the Coercive Acts, closing the Port of Boston until the tea was paid for. How will Boston react?

"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?
 

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For the 2025 season Rangers will lead one of the above Town Meetings Wednesday through Sunday at 2pm in the Great Hall of Faneuil Hall through August 31st.
 

Details

Duration

30-45 Minutes

Activity

Reenactments

Age(s)

10 and Older

Pets Allowed

No

Activity Fee

No

Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.

Location

Great Hall of Faneuil Hall

Reservations

No

Season

Summer

Time of Day

Day

Accessibility Information

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