1740 Peter Faneuil promises to fund construction of a permanent market for Boston
1742 FH is built as first public building in Boston for use of citizens following provincial rule in 1684. The design and construction of the original Faneuil Hall was a collaborative effort between master mason Joshua Blanchard, carpenter Samuel Ruggles, and artist John Smibert (1688-1751).In first construction phase, selectmen convinced PF to add large hall over market for public meetings and town business.
Sept. 10, 1742 FH opens as market and public meeting space.
1743 PF dies in March. John Smibert paints a posthumous portrait of PH. This painting and heraldic crest displayed in Great Hall.
1746 Ancient and Honorable Artillery moves in to the attic armory space
1742-1750s Marketplace is not used all that much. Market is closed 1747-48, 1752-53, and a few months in 1759. The Great Hall is used a lot.
1761 January 3. Fire in FH. Brick exterior okay but interior and roof destroyed. Rebuilt to original dimensions using the brick exterior. Now slate roof and stone trim.
1763 and on: town meetings held here protested new measures that aimed to increase revenues for the Crown and restrict commercial relations of the American colonies. These fanned flames of rebellion leading to the revolution,
1764 FH reopens on March 14. James Otis dedicates the building to the “Cause of Liberty”
1768 Because Bostonians refuse to have British troops in their homes, the British 14th regiment housed in FH. Troops are removed from building two years later after Boston Massacre.
1776 March. FH used as storehouse for British arms and ammunition and as theater. Reverted back to use as market and town hall after Revolution. When British departed, the paintings that had been in FH were destroyed or taken away. Two missing every since were portraits of members of parliament who had defended the American colonists position. In the post revolution age, was known as illustrious town hall.
1789 Selectmen grant Boston’s black community use of FH for public worship one day a week on a Tuesday or Friday afternoon
1805-1806 renovation by Charles Bulfinch. Doubled size in width, and increase height by 1.5 stories. Cellar excavated for use. Bulfmch described the
expanded Great Hall as “76 feet square, and 28 feet high, with galleries on three
sides upon Doric columns, the ceiling is supported by two ranges oflonic columns,
the walls are emiched by pilasters and the windows by architraves. Moved cupola, and added grand stairway inside.
1822 Boston incorporated as city. Great Hall no longer used for town meetings. City used it for celebrations, eulogies, military drills, receptions. People petition city to use Great Hall for free. FH linked to the social, political and military movements of 19th century, espeically antislavery movement.
1827 FH renovated, Alexander Parris designer. Markets in the building are closed and moved to the new Quincy Market buildings. Market stalls are removed from FH and replaced with 8 shops.
1837 Wendell Phillips makes first antislavery addres in FH
1845 Charles Sumner first speaks publicly supporting antislavery
1846 citizens of Boston form vigilance committee to oppose return of fugitive slave Anthony Burns, at meeting in FH.
1858 renovation of FH, Gridley J.F. Bryant, designer. created the building’s first secondary egress, a new spiral stair linking the Great Hall rostrum to the market floor.
1858-1974 ground floor and cellar used mainly by meat dealers
1898 renovation by F.W. Chandler. Most of interior historic fabric removed and replaced with fire proof materials. In the Great Hall, the Doric and Ionic columns were replaced with steel and concrete
replicas.
1923 renovation of FH, by Cram and Ferguson. More renovation for fire proofing included. Sprinkler systems and Elevator added.
1976 renovation. Bicentennial, and 150 anniversary of FH.
1990-1993 Goody, Clancy & Associates, in cooperation with the
Denver Service Center of the National Park Service, managed rehabilitation project. Cleaning and conserving interior and exterior, install new elevator, HVAC and new electrical systems.