This hall was named after the wealthy man who built it as a centre of commerce in 1742. It had to be rebuilt just a few years later after it was destroyed in a fire. It’s the meetings which took place upstairs that make this building significant though, because it’s here that the first signs of unrest were seen. Downstairs, continues to be a centre of commerce to this day, with market stalls a plenty selling produce and crafts. The area surrounding the building is known as “Faneuil Hall Marketplace” which includes nearby Quincy Market, built originally as an extension to the hall. This is an extract from our free Boston City Guide.
Faneuil Hall in Boston at night
When visiting Faneuil Hall, make sure you look up before entering. Right on the top of the hall is a rather unusual grasshopper weather vane which was commissioned by the man the hall is named after, Peter Faneuil. According to tradition, the weather vane was used to spot spies in the early 1800s when it was common to be asked “What’s on the top of Faneuil Hall?” If you answered incorrectly, then you were clearly a spy! The hall is open daily from 9am to 5pm. Admission is free. National Park Service rangers present historical talks every thirty minutes from 9.30am until 4.30pm except when the Hall is in use for special events.
LOCATION & CONTACT
Address: Faneuil Hall, Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston, MA 02109, United States
Tel: +1 617 242 5642
Tel: +1 617 523 1300 (Faneuil Hall Marketplace)
MORE ON FANEUIL HALL
Hotels near Faneuil Hall – Great deals from Hotels.com
More Boston Hotels – Expedia.co.uk
Wikipedia – Faneuil Hall page
Faneuil Hall – City of Boston website
Faneuil Hall Marketplace - Official website
Boston Guide Books – Amazon.co.uk
