Faneuil Hall facts for kids
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Faneuil Hall
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The east side of Faneuil Hall in 2011
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 Location in Boston
Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Boston, Massachusetts |
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| Built | 1742 |
| Architect | John Smibert; Charles Bulfinch |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000368 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | October 9, 1960 |
Faneuil Hall is a very famous building in Boston, Massachusetts. It has been a busy marketplace and an important meeting place for hundreds of years. Opened in 1742, it was where many important speeches were given by people like Samuel Adams and James Otis Jr.. These speeches encouraged people to seek independence from Great Britain.
Today, Faneuil Hall is part of the Boston National Historical Park. It is also a popular stop on the Freedom Trail, a path that connects important historical sites in Boston. Many people call it "the Cradle of Liberty" because of its role in America's fight for freedom. In 2008, Forbes Traveler magazine even named it one of America's most visited tourist spots!
Contents
History of Faneuil Hall
Building a Community Hub
For several years, people in Boston talked about building a public market. In 1740, a wealthy merchant named Peter Faneuil offered to build it himself as a gift to the town. His offer was accepted, though by a very close vote. The building started in September 1740 in Dock Square. It was designed by artist John Smibert and finished in 1742. The ground floor was an open market, and there was a large meeting room upstairs. Sadly, some early slave auctions in Boston took place near Faneuil Hall.
In 1761, a fire badly damaged the hall, leaving only its brick walls. But the town quickly rebuilt it in 1762. During the time when British soldiers occupied Boston in 1775, Faneuil Hall was even used as a theater.
Changes and Growth Over Time
In 1806, the building was made much bigger by Charles Bulfinch. He doubled its height and width and added a third floor. The open market areas on the ground floor were enclosed. This renovation also added galleries around the main assembly hall. Faneuil Hall continued to be used for important town meetings until 1822.
In the 1830s, people who wanted to end slavery, called Abolitionists, met at Faneuil Hall. They formed a group to protect Black people in Boston and ensure their freedom. The building was completely rebuilt with fireproof materials between 1898 and 1899.
Modern Recognition and Use
Faneuil Hall was recognized as a National Historic Landmark on October 9, 1960. This means it's a place of great historical importance to the United States. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966. The building has been restored several times, including in 1992. In 1994, it was named a local Boston Landmark.
Today, the headquarters of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts is on the fourth floor. This group has a military museum there that you can visit for free.
Faneuil Hall Marketplace
The city of Boston owns Faneuil Hall. Next to it is Quincy Market, often called Faneuil Hall Marketplace. This area includes three historic granite buildings that are now a popular indoor and outdoor shopping and food area. This marketplace was renovated in the 1970s and became very successful.
It's important to know that Faneuil Hall itself is managed by the National Park Service. It is separate from the Faneuil Hall Marketplace, which is a commercial area.
Important Events and Speeches
Faneuil Hall has been the stage for many significant moments in history.
- In August 1890, Julius Caesar Chappelle, one of Boston's first Black Republican lawmakers, gave a speech here. He spoke in favor of a bill that would help Black people get the right to vote. His speech was widely reported in newspapers.
- On November 7, 1979, Senator Edward M. Kennedy announced he was running for president at Faneuil Hall.
- On November 3, 2004, Senator John Kerry gave his speech here after losing the 2004 presidential election.
- In 2006, Governor Mitt Romney signed Massachusetts' healthcare law in the hall.
- President Barack Obama spoke at Faneuil Hall on October 30, 2013. He defended the Affordable Care Act from the same spot where Romney signed his state's healthcare plan.
- On November 2, 2014, Boston Mayor Thomas Menino lay in state in Faneuil Hall after he passed away. This allowed people to pay their respects.
Faneuil Hall is still used today for political debates and shows.
The Name Faneuil
The name Faneuil is French. Most people today say it like "FAN-yul" or "FAN-ul." In colonial times, it might have been pronounced more like "FUN-ul."
In August 2017, some groups suggested changing the name of Faneuil Hall. This was because Peter Faneuil, who funded the building, was involved in the slave trade. However, Boston's mayor at the time, Marty Walsh, said the name would not be changed. There have been other protests about the name since then.
Special Features of the Building
The Bell
After not ringing for 62 years, the hall's bell started ringing again in 2007. Its last known ringing with its clapper was at the end of World War II in 1945.
Grasshopper Weather Vane
Look up at the top of Faneuil Hall, and you'll see a shiny, golden grasshopper weather vane. It was made by Shem Drowne in 1742. This grasshopper weighs about 80 pounds and is 4 feet long! It is thought to be inspired by a similar weather vane on the Royal Exchange building in London.
Art and Surroundings
The area in front of Faneuil Hall is part of the Boston National Historical Park. Here you can find a sculpture of Samuel Adams made in the 1800s. The ground also has special markings that show where the colonial shoreline was around 1630. This artwork, called A Once and Future Shoreline, uses etched images of seaweed, fish, and shells.
Inside Faneuil Hall, you'll see many paintings and sculptures. These honor important figures from the Revolutionary War, people who fought against slavery, and other political leaders.
Timeline of Key Events
- 1761 – Hall burned down.
- 1762 – Hall rebuilt.
- 1767 – October 28: A petition to boycott imported goods was signed here.
- 1768 – British soldiers briefly used Faneuil Hall during their occupation of Boston.
- 1773 – December 3: A meeting about the "tea" that led to the Boston Tea Party took place.
- 1806 – Building was remodeled and expanded by Charles Bulfinch.
- 1837 – Wendell Phillips, a famous abolitionist, gave a speech.
- 1854 – May 26: A public meeting was held to protest the arrest of Anthony Burns, who was claimed as a slave.
- 1890 – August: Julius Caesar Chappelle gave a speech supporting voting rights for Black people.
- 1898 – June 15: The American Anti-Imperialist League was founded here.
- 1960 – October 9: Designated a National Historic Landmark.
- 1974 – The famous grasshopper weather vane was stolen, but later returned.
- 1992 – Building was restored.
- 2012 – The lower and first levels were completely renovated.
Gallery
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1839 engraving of Faneuil Hall
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Survivors of the SS Atlantic (1870) wreck are given breakfast at Faneuil Hall, 1873 engraving
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Faneuil Hall and Congress St., 1973
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Faneuil Hall (bottom left) during the construction of Government Center
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1981 view of Faneuil Hall from the steps of Boston City Hall
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The Great Hall
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1798 eagle statue in the building's interior
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The building's exterior in 2020
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Museum of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts
See also
In Spanish: Faneuil Hall para niños
- Dock Square (Boston, Massachusetts)
- Freedom Trail
- Boston Landmarks Commission
- List of National Historic Landmarks in Boston
