Massachusetts State House - The Golden Dome

Massachusetts State House - The Golden Dome

Photo: King of Hearts, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)

A stop on Boston Freedom Trail, a free self-guided tour.

That shining dome tops the Massachusetts State House, designed by Charles Bulfinch and finished in 1798 on land that had been John Hancock's cow pasture. Samuel Adams, then governor, and Paul Revere helped lay its cornerstone in 1795.

Revere's copper company sheathed the dome in 1802 to keep out the rain. The gold leaf came later, in 1874. During World War II the dome was painted over so it would not guide enemy bombers to the city.

Now turn around. Across Beacon Street stands the Robert Gould Shaw and 54th Regiment Memorial, honoring one of the first Black regiments raised in the North during the Civil War. Those soldiers fought for a freedom the Revolution had promised but not delivered, and at first they were even offered less pay than white troops. Take a moment with their faces before you follow the red line downhill.

Getting here: Follow the red line uphill across the Common to Beacon Street; the State House is directly across the street at the top of the hill.

Did you know?: The dome went dark during World War II, painted gray so its gleam could not help guide enemy aircraft to Boston.

Photo op: Stand on the Common side of Beacon Street beside the Shaw Memorial for a straight-on view of the State House facade and dome.

More on Wikipedia: Massachusetts State House · Charles Bulfinch · Robert Gould Shaw Memorial · 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment

Stops on this tour

  1. Boston Common - Where Cows Grazed and Redcoats Camped
  2. Massachusetts State House - The Golden Dome
  3. Park Street Church - Brimstone Corner
  4. Granary Burying Ground - Patriots at Rest
  5. King's Chapel - The Church That Ran Out of Money
  6. Boston Latin School Site - America's First Public School
  7. Old Corner Bookstore - Where Books Changed America
  8. Old South Meeting House - The Tea Party Starts Here
  9. Old State House and Massacre Site - Shots on State Street
  10. Faneuil Hall - The Cradle of Liberty
  11. Paul Revere House - Home of a Busy Silversmith
  12. Old North Church - Two Lanterns in the Steeple
  13. Copp's Hill Burying Ground - A View Across the River
  14. USS Constitution - Old Ironsides Still Afloat
  15. Bunker Hill Monument - The Battle on Breed's Hill