African Meeting House: Museum Of African American History
Other Ideas: Museum of Science, Boston; Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA); Boston Children's Museum; Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame; Harvard Museum of Natural History (HMNH)
The Museum of African American History is New England’s largest museum dedicated to preserving, conserving and interpreting the contributions of African Americans. In Boston and Nantucket, the Museum has preserved four historic sites and two Black Heritage Trails® that tell the story of organized black communities from the Colonial Period through the 19th century.
Exhibits, programs, and education activities at the Museum showcase the powerful stories of black families who worshipped, educated their children, debated the issues of the day, produced great art, organized politically and advanced the cause of freedom.
Self-guided walking tour map and guide available. Guided walking tours are offered daily Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, and other times by special request. The 1.6 mile (2.5 km) Black Heritage Trail® connects the 14 sites.
The $9.5-million-dollar historic restoration, complete with new elevator and stair tower making it accessible for all, has returned the African Meeting House to its 1855 appearance, with elegantly curved pews and pulpit, period wainscoting and wall finishes, cast-iron posts and golden chandelier.
In Boston, the African Meeting House is the oldest African Meeting house in America, and the adjacent Abiel Smith School is the first building in the nation constructed for the sole purpose of housing a black public school.
Today, the Abiel Smith School galleries feature rotating exhibits and a Museum Store open year around.
On the Island of Nantucket, the Florence Higginbotham House sits next door to the pristinely restored African Meeting House. Visitors will find the African Meeting House open for scheduled hours during July and August and open by appointment other times of the year.
You can discover the stories of courageous Americans on a guided walking tour of the Museum’s Black Heritage Trails®. There are two trails highlighting black heritage and community on Boston's Beacon Hill and on the Island of Nantucket.
| HOURS | ↑ top |
Monday - Saturday 10:00am to 4:00pm Timed Ticket Reservations
Open regular hours on all major holidays except: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
| COST | ↑ top |
$8.00
Members - Free
12 yrs & under - Free
13 - 17 yrs - $3.00
Seniors 62+ $3.00
| WEBSITE | ↑ top |
| LOCATIONS | ↑ top |
| Boston | 617-720-2991 | map | 46 Joy Street, Boston, MA » more |
| Nantucket | 508-228-9833 | map | 29 York Street, Nantucket, MA » more |
| RELATED LINKS | ↑ top |
- Profiles
- Localities
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