Boston National Historical Park Act of 1974
Public Law 93-431 · S. 210 · 93rd Congress · began in the Senate
Signed by Gerald Ford (R) on Oct 1, 1974 · Public Lands and Natural Resources
Sponsor: Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA)
Cosponsors: None
Passage votes
- HouseMethod not stated
- SenateMethod not stated
Data notes
The final version of the law, as each chamber passed it. A chamber that passed it by voice vote or unanimous consent has no count. “Method not stated” means the record does not say how the chamber voted. Where the record has a member-by-member vote, the “Who voted for it” section shows who voted yea.
Summary
The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.
Boston National Historic Park Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire, only with the consent of the current owner, by donation or by purchase with donated or appropriated funds, all lands and improvements thereon or interests therein comprising the following described areas: (1) Fanueil Hall, located at Dock Square, Boston; (2) Paul Revere House, 19 North Square, Boston; (3) the area identified as the Old North Church area, 193 Salem Street, Boston; (4) the Old State House, Washington and State Street, Boston; (5) Bunker Hill, Breeds Hill, Boston; (6) Old South Meeting House, Milk and Washington Streets, Boston; and (7) Charleston Navy Yard.
Provides that such lands, improvements and interests shall be known as the Boston National Historical Park. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements with the city of Boston, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and private organizations to assist in the preservation and interpretation of the properties listed in this Act, which in his opinion would best be preserved in private, municipal or State ownership. Allows the Secretary to accept donations of property of national historical interest and significance located in the city of Boston which he may deem proper for administration as part of the park.
Establishes a Boston National Historical Park Advisory Commission. Sets forth the membership composition of the Commission.
Authorizes the Secretary to construct a suitable visitor center for the interpretation of the historical features of the park.
Authorizes appropriations to carry out the purposes of this Act.
Committees
The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.
Data notes
A committee links to its page only where it exists in the current Congress; older and renamed committees are named without a link.
Timeline
From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 11 actions.
- Oct 1, 1974Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
- PresidentPresident · Public law 93-431.
- Sep 19, 1974PresidentPresident · Measure presented to President.
- Sep 18, 1974Resolving differencesResolving differences · Senate agreed to House amendments.
- Aug 5, 1974FloorFloor · Measure passed House, amended, in lieu of H.R. 7486.
- CommitteeCommittee · Discharged from House Natural Resources Committee
- Dec 10, 1973CommitteeCommittee · Referred to House Natural Resources Committee
- Dec 7, 1973FloorFloor · Measure passed Senate, amended.
- Dec 5, 1973CommitteeCommittee · Reported by Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
- Jan 4, 1973CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
- IntroducedIntroduced · Introduced in the Senate
Data notes
Shows the introduction, each committee and subcommittee step the source dates (referral, hearings, markup, report, discharge), and the floor, conference, presidential and became-law steps. Calendar placements, messages between the chambers, amendments and committee report numbers are not shown for laws before the 108th Congress. Two entries the source lists twice are shown once.
Official record
The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.