Located at 46 Joy Street, The Museum of African American History is the home of the 1.6 mile Black Heritage Trail. This trail connects fourteen sites across Boston and celebrates the pursuit of freedom by blacks in America. Sites along this path include the Robert Gould Shaw & 54th Regiment Memorial, the Middleton-Glapion Home, the African Meeting House and the Lewis and Harriet Hayden Home.
This area around Joy, and more specifically the small side street known as Smith Court, contained a strong community of free blacks in the late 18th century. African Americans began to settle here after Massachusetts became the first state in the United States to declare slavery illegal in 1783. This act by Massachusetts was performed to show appreciation to those black soldiers who fought so bravely with the Union during the Civil War.
The Museum of African American History was formerly known as the Abiel Smith School. This site was the first public school for black children. It was named for a white businessman who donated approximately $2,000 to aid in the education of these kids. The school was erected as a two-story red brick building that was dedicated on March 31, 1835. It cost just under $7,500 to construct.
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| Museum Of African American History |
After the Abiel School closed this building saw a few different levels before being acquired by Sue Bailey Thurman in 1964 who converted it to the museum which still exists today. The museum is open daily from 10am-4pm Monday through Saturday (less Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years). A small admission fee to enter the museum does exist.
- Website: http://www.afroammuseum.org/
- Address: 46 Joy Street, Boston, MA
- Cost: Adults $5; Children 13-17 years old and Seniors $3; Children under 12 are free.
- Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-4pm
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