Show FANEUIL HALL bancull hall named for peter Fa r neull a public spirited citizen and huguenot who having decided that boston needed a town hall ball in which to hold public gatherings and a market place commenced the construe tion alon of a building 76 feet square which combined these features and presented it to the city in 1742 twenty years later the interior was destroyed by fire but was promptly rebuilt and dedicated to the cause of liberty the present building goes back to 1805 when its size was increased to 60 80 by feet and an additional story added the upper floor Is used now ns as headquarters and a museum by the ancient and honorable artillery company of massachusetts sald said to be the oldest military organization in the world among the priceless relies relics Is a flag used in 1663 by this organization the second floor contains the hall which may be used as a public meeting place by any group of citizens free of charge on request to the city authorities during the revolutionary war period faneuil hall was the scene of many tense gatherings the hall ball was used as a place of amusement and entertainment by the officers of the british army in 1775 and 1778 1776 ever since the revolution it has been a popular gathering place and noted place for the holding of meetings meeting banquets and receptions its walls have echoed the voice of daniel webster wendell phillips and many other famous patriots of the time situated adjacent to the old state house and huddled in between modern office skyscrapers in the heart of the business center of old boston this comfortable looking structure of colonial design bearing evidence of advanced age Is possessed of a dignified appearance and a aulet charm A plan Is now afoot to rehabilitate fireproof and dress up this tellers able liall hall and thereby preserve its original beauty for another generation or two at least while this work Is in process the wooden awning ilke sheds which now disfigure this landmark of ye olden times will be dismantled and replaced by an iron veranda with a glass root roof with the single exception of independence pen dence hall philadelphia faneuil hall Is probably of greater historical intel cst than any other building in these united states |