Paul Revere House | Boston

The Paul Revere House is a historic house museum located in Boston, Massachusetts. It is the oldest house in downtown Boston and a significant site in American history.

Visual Characteristics

The structure is a two-and-a-half-story timber-frame house. Its exterior features reddish-brown brick, likely added in the 19th century, over an original wooden frame. The roof is pitched, and the windows are multi-paned. The architectural style is characteristic of early colonial New England.

Location & Access Logistics

The Paul Revere House is situated at 19 North Square in Boston's North End. It is approximately 1.5 kilometers northeast of Boston Common. Public parking is limited in the North End; the nearest parking garages include the Haymarket Center Garage (100 Hanover Street) and the Waterfront Garage (200 Atlantic Avenue). Public transport options include the MBTA's Green Line (Haymarket station, 0.4km West) and the Blue Line (Aquarium station, 0.6km Southeast). Several bus routes also serve the Haymarket area.

Historical & Ecological Origin

The house was constructed around 1680. It was originally built as a home for Robert Mason, a wealthy merchant. Paul Revere purchased the house in 1770 and resided there with his family during the American Revolution. It is the oldest house in downtown Boston and the third oldest house in the city.

Key Highlights & Activities

Visitors can explore the period rooms furnished with 18th-century artifacts. Guided tours are available, providing detailed historical context. The house offers insights into the daily life of Paul Revere and his contemporaries. Exhibits focus on Revere's life as a silversmith and his role in the Revolution.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Restrooms are available on-site. Limited seating is provided within the museum. Cell phone signal (4G/5G) is generally available in the area. Food vendors and restaurants are abundant in the surrounding North End neighborhood.

Best Time to Visit

The best time of day for photography is generally mid-morning or late afternoon when the sun angle provides more defined shadows. The best months for visiting are typically April through October, offering milder weather. The house is open year-round, with specific hours of operation detailed on their official website.

Facts & Legends

A notable historical detail is that Paul Revere's house is one of the few remaining structures in Boston dating back to before the Great Fire of 1711. It is also one of the oldest surviving timber-frame houses in the United States.

Nearby Landmarks

• Old North Church (0.3km Northeast)
• Copp's Hill Burying Ground (0.4km North)
• Faneuil Hall Marketplace (1.1km Southwest)
• Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum (1.3km Southeast)
• New England Aquarium (0.6km Southeast)