Boston African American National Historic Site
Encyclopedia
The Boston African American National Historic Site, in the heart of Boston, Massachusetts's Beacon Hill
neighborhood, interprets 15 pre-Civil War structures relating to the history of Boston's 19th century African-American community, including the Museum of Afro-American History's African Meeting House
, the oldest standing African-American church in the United States.
The various structures are linked by the Museum's 1.6 mile (2.5 km) Black Heritage Trail
, and include:
Most of the sites along the trail are not open to the public, except the African Meeting House
and the Abiel Smith School
, as well as the 54th Regiment Memorial.
Park rangers provide guided tours of the sites along the trail. Visitors can pick up the self-guided trail map and obtain information at the Abiel Smith School
.
Beacon Hill, Boston, Massachusetts
Beacon Hill is a historic neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, that along with the neighboring Back Bay is home to about 26,000 people. It is a neighborhood of Federal-style rowhouses and is known for its narrow, gas-lit streets and brick sidewalks...
neighborhood, interprets 15 pre-Civil War structures relating to the history of Boston's 19th century African-American community, including the Museum of Afro-American History's African Meeting House
African Meeting House
The African Meeting House, also known variously as First African Baptist Church, First Independent Baptist Church and the Belknap Street Church, was built in 1806 and is now the oldest black church edifice still standing in the United States. It is located in the Beacon Hill neighborhood of Boston,...
, the oldest standing African-American church in the United States.
Black Heritage Trail
The Black Heritage is a path in Boston, Massachusetts, winding through the Beacon Hill neighborhood and sites important in American black history....
, and include:
- 54th Regiment Memorial
- African Meeting HouseAfrican Meeting HouseThe African Meeting House, also known variously as First African Baptist Church, First Independent Baptist Church and the Belknap Street Church, was built in 1806 and is now the oldest black church edifice still standing in the United States. It is located in the Beacon Hill neighborhood of Boston,...
- part of the Museum of African American History - Abiel Smith SchoolAbiel Smith SchoolAbiel Smith School, founded in 1835, is a school located at 46 Joy Street in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, adjacent to the African Meeting House. It is named for Abiel Smith, a white philanthropist who left money in his will to the city of Boston for the education of black children. The...
- houses the Museum of African American History - Charles Street Meeting HouseCharles Street Meeting HouseThe Charles Street Meeting House, is an early-nineteenth-century historic church in Beacon Hill at 70 Charles Street, Boston, Massachusetts. The church has been used over its history by several Christian denominations and is a good example of reuse and adaptive reuse, having recently been renovated...
- John Coburn House
- Lewis and Harriet Hayden HouseLewis HaydenLewis Hayden was an African American leader, ex-slave, abolitionist, businessman, Republican Party worker and a representative from Boston to the Massachusetts state legislature in 1873.-Early life:...
- George Middleton House
- Phillips School
- Smith Court Residences
- John J. Smith House
Most of the sites along the trail are not open to the public, except the African Meeting House
African Meeting House
The African Meeting House, also known variously as First African Baptist Church, First Independent Baptist Church and the Belknap Street Church, was built in 1806 and is now the oldest black church edifice still standing in the United States. It is located in the Beacon Hill neighborhood of Boston,...
and the Abiel Smith School
Abiel Smith School
Abiel Smith School, founded in 1835, is a school located at 46 Joy Street in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, adjacent to the African Meeting House. It is named for Abiel Smith, a white philanthropist who left money in his will to the city of Boston for the education of black children. The...
, as well as the 54th Regiment Memorial.
Park rangers provide guided tours of the sites along the trail. Visitors can pick up the self-guided trail map and obtain information at the Abiel Smith School
Abiel Smith School
Abiel Smith School, founded in 1835, is a school located at 46 Joy Street in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, adjacent to the African Meeting House. It is named for Abiel Smith, a white philanthropist who left money in his will to the city of Boston for the education of black children. The...
.