A History of the Faneuil Hall Grasshopper

Key events in the life of one of Boston's most beloved landmarks:

1742
November 1 - The grasshopper weather vane, built by master craftsman Shem Drowne, is installed atop Faneuil Hall. Constructed of copper and gold leaf, with glass doorknobs for eyes, it measures 52 inches long and weighs 38 pounds.

1755
November 18 - An earthquake shakes the weather vane from its perch and it falls to the ground. It is repaired by Shem Drowne and his son Thomas at their shop on Ann Street (now North Street) in the North End.

1761
January 13 - A fire at Faneuil Hall damages the weather vane and it is repaired by Thomas Drowne.

1768
June 28 - Thomas Drowne inserts the following note inside a copper container in the grasshopper's vest or stomach area: The headline reads "Food for the Grasshopper" and the note continues "Shem Drowne made it, May 25, 1742. To my brethren and fellow grasshoppers, Fell in ye year 1753 (1755) Nov. 13, early in ye morning by a great earthquake by my old Master above. Again, like to have met with Utter Ruin by Fire, by hopping Timely from my Public Station, came of the broken bones and much Bruised. Cured and Fixed. Old Master's son Thomas Drowne June 28, 1768, and Though I will promise to Discharge my office, yet I shall vary as ye wind."

1805
The grasshopper is refurbished when Faneuil Hall is redesigned and expanded by architect Charles Bulfinch. The cupola, where the weather vane sits, is moved from the middle of the building to the East end.

1812
During the War of 1812, the weather vane was used as a lie-detector for potential British spies. An individual was suspect if he did not know the identity of the unique item atop Faneuil Hall.

1974
January 4 - The weather vane is stolen, but discovered less than a week later hidden in the eaves of the cupola under some old flags.

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