These remarkable men and women, together with their allies, were leaders in the Abolition Movement, the Underground Railroad, the Civil War, and the early struggle for equal rights and education.
Photo: NPS Photo / M. Bozio
Boston African American National Historic Site
Centered on the north slope of Beacon Hill, the African American community of 1800s Boston led the city and the nation in the fight against slavery and injustice.
- LocationCharlestown, MA
- Entrance No fee listed
- HoursToday: 10:00AM - 4:00PM
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Weather now71°F Overcast
- Alerts No active alerts
Overview
Topics
- Abolition Movement
- African American Heritage
- Churches
- Civil War
- Climate Change
- Enslavement
- LGB American Heritage
- Military
5 more topics
- Monuments and Memorials
- Religion and Spirituality
- Social Movements
- US Army
- Wars and Conflicts
Things to Do
12 experiences from the National Park Service. Check details on NPS.gov before you go.
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History at Sunset Walking Tours
Reservation required
Join a Park Ranger for a special guided tour exploring Boston's rich history as a city of revolutions.
Learn more about History at Sunset Walking Tours on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab) -
Walk the Black Heritage Trail®
Reservation required
Join a Park Ranger from the National Parks of Boston on a Black Heritage Trail® Tour to learn about the Black community of Beacon Hill that thrived before, during, and after the American Civil War.
Learn more about Walk the Black Heritage Trail® on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)
Showing 2 of 2
All 4 activities in the park
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Facilities & Services
Find visitor centers and other services available in the park. Check current hours and availability before you go.
Visitor Centers
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Faneuil Hall Visitor Center
Visitor Center
Located in the heart of downtown on the market floor of the historic 1742 building, the Faneuil Hall Visitor Center is the main visitor center for Boston National…
Details
Located in the heart of downtown on the market floor of the historic 1742 building, the Faneuil Hall Visitor Center is the main visitor center for Boston National Historical Park and Boston African American National Historic Site. Maps and information for the Freedom Trail® and Black Heritage Trail® are available here. Tours begin here seasonally.
Plan Your Visit
Hours
Today: 10:00AM - 4:00PM · Boston African American National Historic Site
Hours by area (2)
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Boston African American National Historic SiteToday: 10:00AM - 4:00PM
Boston African American National Historic Site rangers offer tours of the Black Heritage Trail seasonally. Please check the park calendar for available tours and programs.
Monday Closed Tuesday 10:00AM - 4:00PM Wednesday 10:00AM - 4:00PM Thursday 10:00AM - 4:00PM Friday 10:00AM - 4:00PM Saturday 10:00AM - 4:00PM Sunday 10:00AM - 4:00PM -
Museum of African American HistoryToday: 10:00AM - 4:00PM
The Museum of African American History is a partner of Boston African American National Historic Site. They operate the Abiel Smith School and the African Meeting House in conjunction with the National Park Service.
Monday Closed Tuesday 10:00AM - 4:00PM Wednesday 10:00AM - 4:00PM Thursday 10:00AM - 4:00PM Friday 10:00AM - 4:00PM Saturday 10:00AM - 4:00PM Sunday 10:00AM - 4:00PM
Entrance fees
No entrance fees listed.
Address
21 Second Avenue, Boston African American National Historical SiteCharlestown, MA 02129
Contact the park
Weather & conditions
71°F
Overcast · feels like 71°
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Today
85° 64°
Overcast41% rain -
Tomorrow
66° 57°
Sunny8% rain -
Sunday
63° 56°
Overcast19% rain
Updated 55 min ago
WeatherSmall Craft Advisory Details
Small Craft Advisory issued October 2 at 11:38AM EDT until October 2 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Boston/Norton MA
* WHAT...Southwest winds 10 to 15 kt, with gusts up to 25 kt.
Waves 1 to 3 feet.
* WHERE...Boston Harbor.
* WHEN...From 11 AM this morning to 8 PM EDT this evening.
* IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.
What to expect by season
Boston African American National Historic Site is located in downtown Boston which can see extreme cold in the winter months, as well as extreme heat and humidity throughout the summer months. Walking tours may be cancelled during severe heat and/or weather events.
Upcoming Events
2 coming up-
Black Heritage Trail Tour
Event page for Black Heritage Trail Tour (opens in a new tab)About
- Free
Register in advance on Eventbrite
Join a Park Ranger from the National Parks of Boston to explore the rich history of the Black community in 1800s Beacon Hill.
The Black Heritage Trail® showcases residences and community buildings associated with a Black community that thrived on, and near, the north slope of Beacon Hill before, during, and after the American Civil War. Throughout that time, this community organized for equal rights and access to equal education. Community members championed the movement to abolish slavery and even housed freedom seekers on their journey along the Underground Railroad.
This tour lasts approximately 90 minutes. Register for the tour in advance on eventbrite. It begins at the Massachusetts 54th Regiment across the street from the Massachusetts State House and ends at the Museum of African American History, covering about 1.4 miles.
The Black Heritage Trail Tour runs Wednesday through Sunday at 10 am and 1 pm.
*In case of weather, Rangers will offer an indoor option in the basement of Faneuil Hall, also known as the "Find Your Park Space."
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2026 MAAH Stone Book Award at the Museum of African American History
Event page for 2026 MAAH Stone Book Award at the Museum of African American History (opens in a new tab)About
Enjoy food, drink, an exciting program, & free signed books to the first 100 people. $50k to the winning author & $10k to two finalists.
Join us on Thursday, October 8th at the Museum of African American History in Boston for the 2026 MAAH Stone Book Award! This highly anticipated social and scholarly event honors three authors whose new books have made significant contributions to documenting African American history and the African American experience.
The three exceptional 2026 finalists are:
Ashley D. Farmer: Queen Mother: Black Nationalism, Reparations, and the Untold Story of Audley Moore (Pantheon/Penguin Random House)
Jarvis R. Givens: American Grammar: Race, Education, and the Building of a Nation (Harper/HarperCollins)
Jarvis C. McInnis: Afterlives of the Plantation: Plotting Agrarian Futures in the Global Black South (Columbia University Press)
Enjoy a FREE wine and hors d’oeuvres reception before gathering in the historic African Meeting House to find out which one of these three outstanding authors will win our $50,000 prize!
The first 100 people to arrive receive a free signed copy of one of the finalist books.
WHEN: Thursday, October 8, 2026. Reception at 5:30pm/Award presentation at 6:30pm.
WHERE: Museum of African American History, Boston Campus, 46 Joy St, Boston, MA 02114
The reception takes place in the Susan Paul Room. At 6:30pm (ET) we will move to the historic African Meeting House (this portion of the evening will be livestreamed).
The winning author will be announced LIVE at the event! Two finalists will each win $10,000 and the winning author will win $50,000!
Enjoy a lively discussion between the winning author and GBH host Callie Crossley followed by an audience Q&A with all three authors.
End the evening by receiving a free signed copy of one of the finalist books (if you are one of the lucky first 100 people to arrive).
Register today and get ready for an unforgettable night of celebration at the 9th annual MAAH Stone Book Award Event! And in the meantime, visit our website to learn more about the Award, our finalists, and all of the incredible books that were submitted this year.
Photos
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The Museum of African American History stewards the African Meeting House and the Abiel Smith School. — NPS Photo -
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1 more photo
Getting There
Charlestown, MA 02129
Site administrative offices are located at Faneuil Hall and the Charlestown Navy Yard. Seasonal ranger programs begin at either the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial on Beacon Street, or at the Museum of African American History at 46 Joy Street on Beacon Hill.
Mailing address: 21 Second Avenue, Charlestown, MA 02129
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