Faneuil Hall

Overview

Faneuil Hall has served as a marketplace and meeting hall since 1743, earning its nickname the "Cradle of Liberty" for hosting speeches by Samuel Adams and other revolutionaries. Today it anchors the Faneuil Hall Marketplace complex alongside Quincy Market.

Highlights

• Great Hall: The second-floor assembly room where colonial revolutionaries debated independence.
• Grasshopper Weathervane: The iconic gilded copper grasshopper atop the cupola, crafted by Shem Drowne in 1742.
• National Park Rangers: Free talks on the building's role in the American Revolution.

History

Built in 1742 by merchant Peter Faneuil as a gift to the city, the original building was expanded by Charles Bulfinch in 1805. It served as both a commercial marketplace and a forum for political debate throughout the Revolution and abolitionist eras.

Visitor Tips

• Free entry: The Great Hall and ground floor are free to visit.
• Combine with Quincy Market: The adjacent food hall and North/South Market buildings complete the experience.
• Duration: 30–60 minutes for Faneuil Hall; 1–2 hours including the marketplace.