Boston African American National Historic Site is comprised of the largest area of pre-Civil War black owned structures in the U.S. It has roughly two dozen sites on the north face of Beacon Hill. These historic buildings were homes, businesses, schools, and churches of a thriving black community that, in the face of great opposition, fought the forces of slavery and inequality.

The Black Heritage Trail® explores the history of the 19th century free Black community of Boston. The trail consists of 14 sites and begins at the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial on Beacon Street and finishes at the
Museum of African American History which includes the African Meeting House and the Abiel Smith School. Self-guided tours can be conducted at any time, Monday through Sunday. Maps and site brochures can be obtained at the Abiel Smith School during site hours.

Ranger guided tours of the Black Heritage Trail are conducted as follows:

Summer Season (Memorial Day - Labor Day): Monday-Saturday; 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m.; for groups of 5 people or more, please call 24 hours in advance for reservations. Group Size Limit: 30 people

Winter Season (Labor Day - Memorial Day): Monday-Saturday; 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., by appointment only, and 2:00 p.m. tours are open to the public. Please call 24 hours in advance to schedule a tour. Group Size Limit: 30 people

Sites on the Black Heritage Trail® include:

• Robert Gould Shaw and 54th Regiment Memorial
• George Middleton House
• Phillips School
• John J. Smith House
• Charles Street Meeting House
• Lewis and Harriet Hayden House
• John Coburn House
• Smith Court Residences
• Abiel Smith School
• African Meeting House

NOTE: The Robert Gould Shaw Memorial is located on the Boston Common and is open 24 hours, 7 days a week. The African Meeting House and the Abiel Smith School is where you will find the Museum of African American History. The Abiel Smith School is open to the public during site hours only. All of the other sites on the Black Heritage Trail are privately owned and are not open to the
public.

Official Site and More Information

Other Related Sites of Interest...

www.BostonBlackHistory.org