Boston African American National Historic Site facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Boston African American National Historic Site
The African Meeting House in Boston, built by African Americans in 1806
Boston African American National Historic Site Location in Boston Show map of Boston Boston African American National Historic Site Location in Massachusetts Show map of Massachusetts Boston African American National Historic Site Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Nearest city	Boston, Massachusetts
Area	0.18 acres (0.073 ha)
Established	October 10, 1980
Visitors	327,921 (in 2011)
Governing body	National Park Service
Website	Boston African American National Historic Site

The Boston African American National Historic Site is in the heart of Boston, Massachusetts. It is located in the Beacon Hill neighborhood. This site tells the story of Boston's 19th-century African-American community. It includes 15 buildings from before the Civil War. One important building is the African Meeting House, built in 1806. It is the oldest standing black church in the United States.

Discovering Boston's Black History

This historic site is on Beacon Hill, near Boston Common. It was created in 1980 to save and remember buildings. These buildings were home to the free African-American community in the 1800s. That year, President Jimmy Carter signed bills to create this site. He also created the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site. He said these efforts would help preserve a "vital, but long neglected, part of American heritage." This means the history and culture of African Americans.

The first African residents came to Boston in 1638. They arrived as enslaved people. Over time, many African Americans were born free. After the American Revolutionary War, Massachusetts ended slavery. By 1790, no enslaved people were recorded in Massachusetts. African Americans then became leaders in the abolition movement. This movement worked to end slavery. They also fought for racial equality and better education.

Before the Civil War, many African Americans lived on Beacon Hill. Others lived in the West End and North End. Later, new groups of immigrants moved into these areas. African Americans moved to other parts of Boston. This historic site is one of 39 African-American Heritage Sites. These sites are managed by the National Park Service.

Exploring the Black Heritage Trail

The National Park Service explains the importance of this trail. It says the buildings were homes, businesses, schools, and churches. They belonged to a strong black community. This community worked to help those facing unfair treatment and slavery. They fought for the freedom and equality promised in America.

The Black Heritage Trail is 1.6 miles (2.5 km) long. It winds through Beacon Hill. Here are some of the important places you can see:

• Robert Gould Shaw / 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment Memorial – This memorial honors the first African-American regiment. It was the United States Colored Troops during the Civil War. It also honors their leader, Robert Gould Shaw.
• African Meeting House – Built in 1806, this is the oldest standing African-American church. It is now part of the Museum of African American History.
• Abiel Smith School – Built in 1834, this was the first public school for black children in Boston. It is also now part of the Museum of African American History.
• Charles Street Meeting House – This church was built in 1807. It used to have separate seating for different groups. Later, some members formed a new church. It was one of the first churches to welcome everyone.
• John Coburn House – This was the home of John Coburn. He was an African-American abolitionist and soldier. He helped people escape slavery on the Underground Railroad.
• Lewis and Harriet Hayden House – Lewis Hayden was an escaped enslaved person. He became an abolitionist leader. He also helped recruit soldiers for the 54th regiment. He was a leader in the Prince Hall Masons. He was also elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives. The Haydens used their home to protect people escaping slavery.
• George Middleton House – This is one of the oldest homes in Beacon Hill. George Middleton led a black militia called the Bucks of America. This was during the American Revolutionary War. He also helped start the Free African Society.
• Phillips School – This was one of Boston's first schools to welcome students of all races.
• Smith Court Residences – These five homes show what black Bostonian homes were like in the 1800s. William Cooper Nell lived at 3 Smith Court. He was an author and one of the first black historians. He worked to end slavery.
• John J. Smith House – Smith was an abolitionist leader. He helped people escape slavery. He also recruited soldiers for the all-black 5th Cavalry during the Civil War. He was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives three times.

Most places on the trail are private homes today. They are not open to the public. However, you can visit the African Meeting House, the Abiel Smith School, and the 54th Regiment Memorial.

Park rangers offer free guided tours of the trail. These tours last two hours. They are available in the summer. You can also book tours at other times. You can find a map and information online. You can also get them at the Boston African American Historic Site or the Abiel Smith School.

Learning Programs

The staff at the site worked on a program called Freedom Rising. This program celebrated 150 years since the Emancipation Proclamation. It also honored African Military Service in the Civil War. This event took place in May 2013. It included famous people like historian Henry Louis Gates and actor Danny Glover. There were also exhibits at Harvard University and the Museum of African American History.

Key Moments in Black Boston History (1638–1909)

Key Moments in Black Boston (1638–1909)

Year	Image	Event
1638		The first enslaved Africans arrived in Boston.
1641		Massachusetts made laws about slavery.
1770		Crispus Attucks, an escaped enslaved person, was the first person killed in the Boston Massacre. He became a symbol of freedom.
1783		Slavery ended in Massachusetts. This happened after Quock Walker, an escaped enslaved person, won a court case for his freedom.
1790		Massachusetts was the only state with no enslaved people recorded in the first census.
1798		The first private school for black children opened in Primus Hall's home.
1800		The free black population grew to almost 1,100 people.
1806		The African Meeting House opened as the First African Baptist Church. It was a place for church, school, and community meetings.
1808		The school from Hall's home moved to the African Meeting House.
1826		The Massachusetts General Colored Association, a black abolitionist group, was started. They worked against slavery and unfair treatment.
1829		David Walker wrote The Appeal. It told enslaved people to fight for their freedom.
1831		William Lloyd Garrison started The Liberator. This newspaper supported ending slavery.
1832		Garrison formed the New England Anti-Slavery Society. This group met at the African Meeting House.
1835	The Abiel Smith School, the first public school for black children, opened.
1849–1850		Sarah Roberts tried to end segregation in Boston schools but was unsuccessful at first.
1850		The Fugitive Slave Act was passed. This law made it harder for enslaved people to escape. Many in Boston protested this law.
1855		Boston public schools became integrated. The Abiel Smith School closed.
1861		The Civil War began.
1863		The Emancipation Proclamation was signed. This allowed African Americans to join the Union army. The 54th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry was formed. It was the first all-black regiment from the North.
1865		The Civil War ended. The 13th Amendment ended slavery. Many freed African Americans moved North, including to Boston.
1897		The Robert Gould Shaw Memorial was dedicated in Boston Common. It honored the 54th Massachusetts Regiment.
1898		The African Meeting House congregation moved. The building became a Jewish synagogue.
1900		Sgt. William H. Carney received the Medal of Honor. He was the first black person to receive this award.
1901		William Monroe Trotter started The Boston Guardian, an African-American newspaper.
1909		The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was founded.

Population Changes in the 1800s

The number of black residents in Boston grew a lot during this time. However, many immigrants also came to Boston from Europe. This included people from Ireland, Italy, and other parts of Eastern and Southern Europe. Their arrival meant that the overall population grew even faster.