Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum!

What Is the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum?

This is Boston’s official tea party site, a museum where folks can learn in-depth about the Boston Tea Party!

What Makes It Historical?

On the night of December 16, 1773, a meeting of the Sons of Liberty spilled out of the Old South Meetinghouse, into the streets of Boston, and down to Griffin’s Wharf. Many dressed in Mohawk clothing to avoid being identified, and they stormed three British tea ships, the Dartmouth, the Eleanor, and the Beaver, dumping 340 chests of tea overboard to stick it to the Brits for tax gouging them!

Fast forward to today, and Griffin’s Wharf is long gone under landfill! None of the original ships remain. All that is left is a single chest, called the Robinson Chest, which is named after finder, John Robinson, and that last remnant is on display right here at this museum! This museum is as comprehensive in its interpretation as can be, combining artifacts from the 1700s with jaw-dropping new technology, like animated debates between historic characters from within oil paintings! After being assigned a role card representing someone who took part in the Boston Tea Party (I was distiller, Thomas Chase), visitors can walk on reconstructions of the original ships and toss packages of “tea” overboard, plus sample the five historic tea blends that were dumped on that infamous night! It’s super immersive and informative, and all contained within a single hour’s tour!

How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?

Pay the entrance fee to help maintain trails, signs, structures, and other visitor services!
Buy something from the museum shop!
Be a responsible visitor! Please respect the signs and pathways, and treat all structures and artifacts with respect. They’ve endured a lot to survive into the present. They’ll need our help to make it into the future!