Revere House offers peek into 18th century life

By LOLA THELIN
School of Communication
University of Miami

BOSTON— If Paul Revere were alive today, he’d still have a home but he might have trouble paying for it on his gold- and silversmith salary.

The Paul Revere House is downtown Boston’s oldest house. It is located at 19 North Square in the North End, Boston’s trendy downtown, now a hotspot neighborhood occupied with Italian restaurants, clothing and souvenir stores, improv comedy houses and bars.

Consider this: In the 1700s, a cheap house cost 70 pounds, an expensive house cost around 500 pounds. Revere’s estimated purchase price was about 213 pounds, according to Patrick Leehey research director at the Paul Revere House.

The Revere House is located at 19 North Square in Boston’s North End. The house is three levels and a basement but only first and second floors are accessible to visitors (Photo by Lola Thelin).

“This is the only real honest answer, but it’s impossible to know,” said Patrick Leehey.

The property has seen many owners as well as been used for different purposes. The original 19 North Square property was destroyed in the 1676 North End fire.

Another building was built in its place in 1680. The next year Robert Howard, a wealthy merchant, bought the property acting on behalf of the Old North Congregation.

The house was built irregularly with features unknown to the 17th century. Some of these features are high ceilings and a chimney and staircase located on the side, instead of in the center of the house, a more common location.

“As far as the building, most people are impressed how modern it seems,” said Leehey. “If they are shocked, it’s because of the large rooms and high ceilings. The first owner was rich.”

Revere finally stepped onto the property in 1770. He lived in the house prior to the American Revolution then relocated his family during 1775 for safety. The family moved back to the North Square home in 1776 but moved out of the house at the end of the war. Revere rented it out during the 1780s until he sold the house in 1800.

The Paul Revere House was built in 1680. Today it is downtown Boston’s oldest house (Photo by Lola Thelin).

For the next 100 years, the house served many purposes. At the turn of the century, the North End became a haven for immigrants. The house was turned into a poor apartment building. It was later turned into a grocery store, bank, candy shop and cigar factory.

In 1902, the house fell back into the hands of a Revere. John P. Reynolds, Revere’s great-grandson, purchased the house and saved it from demolition. Three years later the Paul Revere Memorial Association was formed. The private and non-profit organization restored the house from the main chimney, staircase, windows and clapboards, said Leehey. and opened the Revere House to the public in 1908.

The house is furnished with furniture for the 18th century and has six original pieces used by Revere’s family. There is a serving table, a re-upholstered chair and two black Windsor chairs, for example. There is also an 1819 sampler of needle work crafted by then 11-year-old Maria Revere Curtis, Revere’s great-granddaughter. The heavy timbering – posts and rafters – are also original pieces, said Leehey.

The organization offers self-guided tours. A guide is stationed on each floor with which visitors may discuss local history and, of course, the Revere home.

“It’s a great place to work because it was a famous occupant’s home,” said Edith Steblecki, curator since 1983. “I’m still struck by the fact that he lived here. I’m in a place that Paul Revere walked in.”

The house is now owned by the president of the board of the association, who is the great, great, great-grandson of Revere, explained Steblecki.

“There has always been a descendent of the Revere family on our board,” Steblecki said.

The organization will celebrate its 100th in 2008 and is working on a party for the neighborhood with 18th century costumes.

“We want to thank them for putting up with us for 100 years,” said Leehey. “We’ve had great support from the neighborhood.”

The house is connected to a modern building as shown. Revere moved into the house in 1770 (Photo by Lola Thelin).

IF YOU GO:
The Paul Revere House

Address:

19 North Square
Boston, MA 02113

Directions:

The Paul Revere House is located between the Faneuil Hall and Old North Church stops on the Freedom Trail. Visitors can walk, ride the subway or drive their car. Parking, however, is limited in the neighborhood.

Subway: Take the Green Line to Government Center or Haymarket stations; Blue Line to Government Center or Aquarium stations; Orange Line to State or Haymarket stations.

Walking: Follow Boston’s North End Freedom Trail, follow the signs and the red line on the sidewalks.

Car: North: Route 93 South to Exit 24A--- Government Center. Follow ramp to the surface, staying to the left, and bear left at the light. Follow the signs for the North End onto Atlantic Avenue. Take a left on Richmond Street. The third street is North Street, take a right.

West: Route 90 East (Mass. Pike) to Route 93 North to Exit 23. Turn right at the first light onto North Street.

South: Route 93 North to Exit 23. Turn right at the first light onto North Street.
(Directions courtesy of http://www.PaulRevereHouse.com)

Contact:

Telephone: 617-523-2338
Fax: 617-523-1775

Hours:
April 15 – Oct. 31, 9:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.
Nov. 1 – April 14, 9:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.

Cost:

Adults – $3
Seniors, college students $2.50
Children (ages 5-17) – $1

Visit:

http://www.PaulRevereHouse.com
Call 617-523-2338 for more information on programs and special events.

 

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© University of Miami School of Communication