Introduction to the Old State Government Building: The Old State House (The Old State House) is now the Boston Museum of History. It was the place where the Declaration of Independence was first read out. Today, every year on the Independence Day of the United States, the Old State House is held in the Old State Government Building. The reading of the Declaration of Independence was held on the balcony. This building, built in 1713, is also the oldest public building on the Freedom Trail.