The house was originally built on the site of the former parsonage of the Second Church of Boston, which had burned down in the Great Fire of 1676.
During the early 19th century, the ground floor of the home was converted into a grocery store and later a candy store.
The structure features 'coved' ceilings, a construction technique typical of the late 17th century where the second floor overhangs the first.
Many of the items on display are original pieces owned by the Revere family, including his own silver works.
The 1902 restoration was spearheaded by Joseph Everett Chandler, who deliberately removed later 18th and 19th-century alterations to expose the original 1680 architecture.
The building survived the 1760 Great Fire of Boston, which destroyed many surrounding structures in the North End.
An archaeological excavation in the courtyard unearthed over 10,000 artifacts, including pottery shards and metal scraps from early residents.
The Paul Revere House, built around 1680, stands as the oldest remaining wooden structure in downtown Boston and was the residence of the Revolutionary War patriot from 1770 to 1800. It is located in the North End, a neighborhood historically significant for its 17th-century layout. The home served as the starting point for Revere's famous midnight ride to Lexington on April 18, 1775. Acquired by a descendant in 1902 to prevent its demolition, the house was restored to reflect its appearance during the late 17th century rather than the period of Revere's residence. The site includes a courtyard featuring artifacts from the original site of the house, including 17th-century foundations. Visitors move through three main floors containing period-appropriate furniture and personal belongings of the Revere family. The museum emphasizes the daily life of a colonial-era silversmith and his large family. It remains one of the few surviving examples of first-period colonial architecture in the city.
From the center of North Square facing the front facade to capture the iconic overhang and diamond-paned windows.
Focus your visit on the courtyard display boards, which provide crucial context about the house's original construction before entering the building.
The house is small and features narrow, steep staircases; prioritize comfortable footwear for navigating historical flooring.
Visit on weekdays to avoid peak weekend crowds that can make the narrow interior difficult to navigate.
Do not expect to see a preserved 18th-century interior, as the museum prioritizes its 17th-century colonial origins over the Revere family's specific era.
Closed on Mondays during the winter season.
Maintain a quiet tone inside the historical rooms; do not touch furniture or artifacts; flash photography is generally prohibited to protect textiles.
