Family Hours
Educational Fun for All Ages
Inspired by Children's Hours held at Old South Meeting House from the late 19th century through the early 20th century, join Revolutionary Spaces for a modern take on family fun at our historic sites and museums! Visit the Old South Meeting House and the Old State House throughout the year for activities for all ages of history enthusiasts, including themed games, crafts, scavenger hunts, gallery talks, music, and more!
Family Hours activities are included in the price of general admission and all children ages 12 and under get in to both the Old State House and Old South Meeting House for FREE!
See scheduled dates below and plan your visit today.*
Theme: Benjamin Franklin
Location: Old South Meeting House
Time: 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM
Admission: Free for ages 12 and under
Theme: TBD
Location: Old South Meeting House
Time: 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM
Admission: Free for ages 12 and under; Free for all visitors on Thursday, February 20 thanks to the generous support of the Highland Street Foundation.
Theme: Boston Massacre
Location: Old South Meeting House
Time: 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM
Admission: Free for ages 12 and under
Theme: 250th anniversary of Paul Revere's Ride
Location: Old South Meeting House
Time: 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM
Admission: Free for ages 12 and under
Theme: Celebrating Old South Meeting House & Old State House
Location: Old South Meeting House
Time: 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM
Admission: Free for ages 12 and under
Theme: Spies
Location: Old South Meeting House
Time: 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM
Admission: Free for ages 12 and under
Celebrate the 250th anniversaries of Paul Revere’s Ride and the Battles of Lexington and Concord with special activities that bring history’s most daring missions to life! Join us from Tuesday, April 22nd through Friday, April 25th for Family Hours at Old South Meeting House, where you'll learn more about the secretive world of Revolutionary War espionage. Enjoy music, crafts, and history-themed games like Spy Quest, our two-site scavenger hunt where you can help General Washington free Boston from British control!
Theme: Mothers Day
Location: Old South Meeting House
Time: 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM
Admission: Free for ages 12 and under
Theme: Fathers Day
Location: Old South Meeting House
Time: 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM
Admission: Free for ages 12 and under
The History of Children's Hours at Old South Meeting House
In 1883, Mary Hemenway spearheaded an ambitious educational program as part of the Old South Association’s mission. This program, which included essay contests, holiday ceremonies, child fairs, and musical offerings became known as Children's Hours. Old South Lectures for Young People were also established in the summer of 1883 "as a means of promoting a more serious and intelligent attention to historical studies, especially studies in American history among the young people in Boston.” Today, the Old South Meeting House continues to educate the young people of Boston and remember Mary Hemenway's mission through our Family Hours programming.