Huzzah!  The Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum

Even people who don’t know or care much about history have heard of the Boston Tea Party.

In case you’re a little rusty, the Encyclopedia Brittanica says the Boston Tea Party was an ” incident in which 342 chests of tea belonging to the British East India Company were thrown from ships into Boston Harbor by American patriots disguised as Mohawk Indians. The Americans were protesting both a tax on tea (taxation without representation) and the perceived monopoly of the East India Company.

The Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum in Boston is one of the best historical attractions I’ve visited.  And I’ve been to a lot of them!  It is a multi-sensory experience that includes live actors in period costume, interactive exhibits, and a full-scale replica of an 18th-century sailing vessel!  We found ourselves immersed in the experience and did not realize just how long we’d been there!

The Boston Tea Party began at Boston’s Old South Meeting House

Our journey also begins in Boston’s Old South Meeting House.  Patriots have gathered there to discuss Parliament’s latest attempt to control the Colonies and what they’re going to do about it.

As we enter, each person receives a card with an identity to assume for the meeting.

Whaddaya know — I work for the newspaper!!

A very enthusiastic young lady prompts us that if we strongly disagree with the speaker, we should boo loudly & thumb our nose, fingers extended.  If we agree, shout “Huzzah!!” as loud as you can.

We’re also given feathers.  Why?  They’re part of the disguise we’ll use when we board the ship later.  We’ll be dressed as Mohawk Indians so the local authorities can’t identify us.

There is much nose-thumbing and many shouts of “Huzzah!” during this heated meeting.  Here we meet the leader of the Sons of Liberty, Sam Adams.  According to History.com, “on December 16, 1773, in a packed room in Boston’s Old South Meeting House when a peaceful solution seemed impossible, Adams exclaimed, “This meeting can do nothing more to save the country!”  While the meaning of the quote has been debated, some historians believe it was a coded message alerting rebels to begin aggressively dumping crates of tea into Boston Harbor in a brazen act of defiance.”  We all follow the Patriots, almost giddy from the rallies of the meeting.

Boston Tea Party Ships

The Sons of Liberty sweep us along in their enthusiasm, all the way to the ship.

There we tour the sailing vessel.  Entering the small, dark hold where the tea was kept is actually a challenge for some.  Not me!  Huzzah for being vertically challenged!  😉

 

 

 

And then we help them toss the tea into the harbor.

Griffin’s Wharf

 

Now as we all know, for every action there is a consequence.  Our journey next takes us to Griffin’s Wharf.  This is a wonderful part of the exhibit.  Still engulfed in the dark of the night, holographic images of both Loyalists and Patriots discuss the ramifications of the night’s Boston Tea Party.   Men and women alike argue the merits and potential repercussions of the choices made recently.

As reported on the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum web site, “George Hewes remembered, “We then quietly retired to our several places of residence, without having any conversation with each other, or taking any measures to discover who were our associates… There appeared to be an understanding that each individual should volunteer his services, keep his own secret, and risk the consequence for himself. No disorder took place during that transaction, and it was observed at that time that the stillest night ensued that Boston had enjoyed for many months.” ”

The Minuteman Theatre

Passing through a room filled with artifacts and paintings, including the Robinson Tea Chest, we enter a theatre.  The Minuteman Theatre is a multi-sensory panoramic experience that puts us right in the middle of the Revolution.  Paul Revere shares the excitement of his midnight ride. And we stand with the militiamen on Lexington Green as the “shot heard round the world” is fired.  We can feel the rumble of the horses and hear the shouting as the battle begins.  It’ll get you thinking about the statement you made when you tossed that tea overboard.

Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum Gift Shop

The Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum gift shop holds an abundance of gifts and mementos you can take home with you (for a price, of course!)  We chose two crates of tea!

Abigail’s Tea Room

Abigail’s Tea Room is a fitting end to your journey.  You’ll taste the teas that were thrown overboard during the Boston Tea Party, and sample many tasty pastries.  And don’t forget to take some with you to enjoy later!

If you are fortunate enough to plan well, on the first Friday of every month, you can grab a mug of ale and join the Sons & Daughters of Liberty for the best hospitality in all of 18th century Boston.  HUZZAH! Tavern Nights.  This looks like tons of fun, and we hope to include it on our next trip to Boston.  Priced right around $50 per person, this is a good deal for a good meal and a couple of hours of merriment!

Website for more information

Check out the museum’s website for a wealth of information about both the original Boston Tea Party and the museum itself.

Two thumbs up!

We definitely recommend adding the Boston Tea Party Ship and Museum to your travel plans the next time you’re in Boston!  It is well-thought-out, and the period guides are quite knowledgable.  They’re also very approachable and don’t mind at all answering your questions.

Well worth the cost of admission.