Boston’s Black Heritage Trail, part of the Boston African American Historic Site, offers the opportunity to go back in history to explore the city’s 19th century African American culture. This community largely resided in the Beacon Hill neighborhood, thus why that is exactly where this 1.6-mile walking tour takes place.
Along the Black Heritage Trail, you’ll learn all about what African Americans went through with civil rights during this time period, from important members of the community, to details about the Underground Railroad and the abolition movement. Many of the stops on this tour were actual places escaped slaves hid at along the Underground Railroad.
Visiting the Black Heritage Trail is free, as the National Park Service, located at 46 Joy Street, provides free, 90-minute guided tours during the spring and summer months.
Also at 46 Joy Street is the Museum of African American History, which is actually inside one of the trail stops, the Abiel Smith School. There is a cost for admission to explore the museum: $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and students and free for ages 12 and under.
There are 10 official stops along the Black Heritage Trail, each found below
-Robert Gould Shaw and 54th Regiment Memorial
– George Middleton House
-The Phillips School
-John J. Smith House
– Charles Street Meeting House
-Lewis and Harriet Hayden House
-John Coburn House
– Smith Court Residences
– The Abiel Smith School
– The African Meeting House
