On December 16, 1773 a large meeting was held here to discuss options for opposing the new British duty tax on tea. While the meeting raged on, a cadre of patriots dressed themselves (poorly) as Mohawk Indians. As prearranged, when Sam Adams shouted "This meeting can do nothing more to save the country!", the group incited the mob to follow them to Griffin's Wharf. There they quickly and quietly boarded three English cargo vessels and dumped 342 chests (several tons) of British Tea into the harbor.

The "Boston Tea Party" was witnessed by over 2000 Bostonians, but a British Frigate Anchored no more than 500 yards away reported nothing unusual that night. So secret was the planning that historians are still in doubt as to the identities of any of the participants. Sam Adams and Dr. Joseph Warren are generally considered to be the 'masterminds' behind the event, but this is heavily debated. John Adams maintained until his death that he didn't know the identity of a single participant.