Boston African American National Historic Site

Beacon Hill, Boston, Massachusetts

African Meeting House, Boston African American National Historic Site

Boston played a major role in the abolitionist movement.

Founded in 1630, the first Africans arrived in Boston eight years later.  By 1705, there were over 400 slaves in Boston and the beginnings of a free Black community in the North End.  By the end of the American Revolution, there were more free Black people than slaves.  When the first federal census was tallied in 1790, Massachusetts was the only state to record no slaves. 

The free African-American community of the 19th century located near Beacon Hill led the city and the nation in the fight against slavery and injustice.  Today, the Boston Black Heritage Trail explores the history of this community that helped lead the fight for freedom.  

The trail consists of 14 sites and begins at the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial on Beacon Street.  

The African Meeting House, the oldest Black church edifice still standing in the United States, is the last stop.  Trail maps can be obtained at the Abiel Smith School - the nation's first public building erected to educate African-American children.

Massachusetts 54th Infantry Regiment Mural, Boston African American National Historic Site