The red brick 2-storey guildhall is located in South Street facing the River Witham.
Renovated and partly rebuilt over the centuries, the hall still retains some original features.
Although surviving records are sporadic, performances by touring entertainers were recorded in the guild of the Blessed Virgin Mary accounts in the1520s and again, a century later, payments to perform or not to play appear in the council minute books in the 1620s and '30s. As the principal hall of the guild and subsequently the seat of civic government, Boston's guildhall was likely the centre for festive occasions and the principal performance venue in town.
Now the Boston Guildhall Museum. Open to the public at specified times.
ca. 1450 Hall of the wealthy guild of the Blessed Virgin Mary built, with kitchens and a buttery.
1546 St Mary's guild dissolved and the guildhall granted to the town corporation for use as their common hall. Kitchens designated for use as a prison.
1583 Inner chamber converted for use as a council house.
1717 Renovations included a new chimney.
1722 Sash windows added.
1835 Town council ceased their meetings in the guildhall.
1843 Holland quarter sessions relocated to a new sessions house though the guildhall continued in use for business and social events.
1909 Purchased by Frank Harrison who gave it to the corporation for use in perpetuity.
1915 Restored.
REED Lincolnshire 1.35--8, 42--3
