The True Story of the Boston Tea Party

The Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum offers an hour-long experience that immerses visitors into the turmoil of the Old South Meeting House debates on the evening of December 16, 1773. Guests then board one of two replica ships docked alongside the floating museum. Inside the Beaver and Eleanor holds, participants view replica chests of East India tea and the cramped living conditions of the ships’ crews. After emerging on deck, all are encouraged to toss a replica tea chest into Boston Harbor.

Next, visitors move through a dockside scenario featuring hologram actors that continue the debate about the insidious tea that has entered the Port of Boston. Mov- ing along, you see the last remaining wooden tea chest that can be traced to the destruction of tea in 1773 and a vial of tea steeped the morning following the rebel- lion. Along the way, you learn the origin of the tea and the journey it made from Canton to London and then to Boston. A short historic film concludes the visit before visitors make their way to Abigail’s Tea Room, the 100-seat tearoom atop the floating museum, named for Abigail Adams. For a small fee, visitors may sample the five Chinese teas tossed overboard in 1773 and may purchase freshly baked pastries, scones, sandwiches, and soups.

Be sure to visit the retail tea shop, where you may choose from hundreds of teas and teawares that make great gifts and souvenirs from your visit to Boston.