Bunker Hill Museum, Boston

Opposite the Bunker Hill Monument, this newly established three-story museum, situated in the charming former Charlestown library, offers engaging exhibits on the battle, the history of Charlestown, and a captivating array of artifacts. These include a British drum and two cannonballs from the battle, as well as the competition drawings from 1825 that vied for the honor of designing the monument.

Among the museum's highlights is a captivating 360-degree cyclorama mural depicting the battle's strategic layout, along with meticulously restored dioramas, including one on the second floor with a narrated account of the entire battle. Additional dioramas portray historical Boston and the coastline of yesteryears, and for those seeking to delve deeper into the history of "Bunker Hill," the onsite bookstore offers an exceptional collection of relevant books.

One particularly hair-raising account delves into the events of August 11, 1834, when an anti-immigrant mob set fire to the Ursuline Convent in Charlestown. Convinced that the Irish-American convent concealed "horrid crimes", the vandals went to great lengths, desecrating the altar and mausoleum, and disturbing the remains of deceased nuns by removing them from their coffins.

Tip:
During the period from April to June, when school groups visit in greater numbers, you'll require a climbing pass to access the Bunker Hill Monument. These passes are readily obtainable at this location, and they come at no cost.