Breaking news from the Paul Revere House regarding a large funding award from the National Park Service toward an expanded visitor and education center (with rest rooms!). For more information, see PaulRevereHouse.org.
National Park Service Awards $543,000 for the Paul Revere House
The National Park Service (NPS) has awarded $543,000 to the Paul Revere Memorial Association to repair ongoing storm water infiltration at the Paul Revere House and adjacent Pierce/Hichborn House in Boston’s North End, and to provide handicapped accessibility to the Paul Revere House.
“The Paul Revere House is an historic North End and national treasure, and this investment will keep it preserved and accessible for generations to come,” stated U.S. Senator John F. Kerry.
This project is part of a larger capital expansion project that will transform the Paul Revere House Historic Complex through the addition of an education and visitor center. For the first time, the Revere House will be fully accessible and will have key visitor amenities such as public restrooms. Public program space will increase 400%.
“The Paul Revere House is an important historical landmark and popular tourist attraction that provides a window into the Revolutionary War period. I am pleased that the National Park Service is providing funds for these improvements which will help to preserve the site for future generations and make it more accessible,” stated Congressman Mike Capuano.
On the night of April 18, 1775, silversmith Paul Revere left his small wooden home in Boston’s North End and set out on a journey that would make him a legend. Today that home, a National Historic Landmark built in about 1680, is still standing at 19 North Square. As downtown Boston’s oldest building, it is one of the few remaining from an early era in the history of colonial America.
“This project will provide improved accessibility to the Paul Revere House and protect the site for future generations,” stated Cassius Cash, Superintendent of Boston National Historical Park. “The funding from the National Park Service Northeast Regional Office demonstrates confidence that historic preservation helps to maintain vibrant communities, supports our vital tourism industry, and inspires visitors to remember that the roots of the American Revolution are right here in our neighborhoods,” he said.
The Revere House, owned and operated by the Paul Revere Memorial Association, was restored in 1907 and has been open to the public since April 18, 1908. The most visited historic home in Massachusetts, it serves around 250,000 visitors from across the country and around the world annually.
Nina Zannieri, Executive Director of the Paul Revere Memorial Association stated, “When we began our capital campaign, we knew that National Park Service funds would be essential to our success. We have raised almost $2,000,000 from private sources and are preparing for our final construction phase. This award could not have come at a better time. It will certainly help us leverage the remaining funds to accomplish our goals. Boston National Historical Park has been a true partner to the Association since 1974. We are thrilled by the Park’s support, which underscores the value of public private partnerships. We are committed to working together to ensure the long term preservation of these important national assets, while providing public educational use and access to treasures like the Paul Revere House.”
The Paul Revere House is part of Boston National Historical Park, a collection of eight sites associated with the colonial struggle for independence and the birth and growth of the nation. The sites include the Old South Meeting House, the Old State House, Faneuil Hall, the Old North Church, the Charlestown Navy Yard, the Bunker Hill Monument, and Dorchester Heights.
