The Old State House
The Old State House, the oldest surviving public building in Boston, was built in 1713 to house the government offices of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. As the center of politics, business and civilian life, the Old State House was the meeting place for economic and local news. John Hancock and other notables rented space in this building. Many refer to this three-story Georgian brick structure as one of the most important buildings in our nation’s history.
In 1770, the first blood of the Revolutionary War, known as the Boston Massacre, was shed in front of the Old State House. In 1776 John Adams read the Declaration of Independence from the balcony to Bostonians for the first time.
Today the building is a museum and is the most popular tourist attraction of the city’s National Parks.
The Bostonian Society takes great care in preserving and restoring The Old State House, and demands the finest craftsmanship and attention to detail, giving careful consideration to every choice between restoration and replication. M&A Architectural Preservation has been called to perform restoration work on this national landmark many times, with projects large and small.
“We have worked on the magnificent Old State House a number of times over the years, including restoring the tower balustrades and windows, replicating and restoring balusters in the original staircase, restoration of the oxeye windows, and exterior restoration of the east and west façades. We are honored to have been chosen to perform the exterior restoration of the south façade of the Old State House. It is the jewel in the crown of Boston’s architectural heritage.” Sue Muckle, President
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Historic Status: National Historic Park
Owner: The Bostonian Society
The Old State House (2017)
Noteworthy: Restoration of the south façade
M&A’s Scope: Exterior restoration of the south façade including windows and millwork
Architect: Storeygard Associates Architect, Preservation Technology Associates
In 2017, M&A was called back for its third restoration project of the Old State House. Given its popularity for tourism, timing of the project was carefully planned to not interfere unduly with visitors walking the Freedom Trail and visiting the museum.
In the fall of 2017, M&A Architectural Preservation returned to restore the south façade including the following:
- Restoration and replacement of window sills, and stabilization of sub-sill masonry
- Restoration to the window frames on the building’s south façade, plus extensive re-glazing and replacement of cracked and broken panes with antique.
- Millwork restoration to the south façade including stabilization and replication of columns at the main entry.
- Repairs to the slate roof and flashing at the dormers.
The Old State House (2014)
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Noteworthy: Historically sensitive replication of wood trim at the balcony once used by George Washington from which to deliver the Declaration of Independence
M&A’s Scope: Wood window restoration; exterior balcony/balustrade restoration
Architect: Storeygard Associates Architect
General Contractor: Commodore Builders
Five years after completing restoration to the building’s cupola and various windows, M&A returned to the Old State House in 2014 to complete exterior carpentry restoration on the east and west facades.
As part of the same project which discovered the time capsule in the crown of the lion, M&A completed restoration to:
- Window sills on both the east and west facades, as well as a few select sills on the building’s south façade
- Restoration to the ocular windows on the building’s west façade, which flank the gilded eagle
- Complete replacement of the French doors leading onto the balcony which overlooks the site of the Boston Massacre
- Restoration and replacement of the balustrade and crown molding at the east façade balcony
During the project, a Nor’easter blew through and shifted the flagpole on the building’s east façade, causing damage to the window sash, frame, and sill were it was mounted. M&A was asked to repair the damage to the window elements, and did so without causing a delay to schedule.
The Old State House (2009)
Noteworthy: Restoration of Massachusett’s first state house’s iconic cupola
Awards: Bostonian Society’s John Hancock Award for Preservation of Boston’s Historic Heritage
M&A’s Scope: Wood window restoration, cupola restoration
Architect: Tellalian Associates & Planners, LLC
General Contractor: Lee Kennedy Company
In 2009. M&A restored the façade and windows of this National Trust revolutionary landmark, including restoration of Massachusetts’ first state house cupola.
M&A worked with a team of architectural conservators and the National Park Service to determine which elements of the façade had exceeded their useful life, and replicated them with South American mahogany to ensure their survival for another century of brutal Boston weather. The remainder of the components, including all of the windows, were conserved with epoxies and wood Dutchmen to match the species, grain and joinery.
