Museum of African American History

The Museum of African American History is New England’s largest museum dedicated to preserving and interpreting the contributions of African Americans, with campuses on Boston’s Beacon Hill and on Nantucket. In Boston, the African Meeting House of 1806, the oldest standing Black church building in the United States built by free Black artisans, and the Abiel Smith School of 1835 tell the story of a free Black community and the abolitionists who helped change the nation.

The museum began holding exhibitions and public gatherings in 1963. Permanent exhibits at the Abiel Smith School include The Times We Had; Separate Schools, Unequal Education; and Building on a Firm Foundation, along with historic artifacts and works of art. The Black Heritage Trail, a 1.6-mile walking route, links the largest collection of pre-Civil War sites tied to a free African American community. On Nantucket, the African Meeting House and Florence Higginbotham House anchor a second campus.

What to Know

• The African Meeting House is a National Historic Landmark steps from the Massachusetts State House.
• The Stone Book Award honors authors of new books on African American history.
• The museum hosts a Juneteenth celebration called Freedom!
• Facility rentals and memberships are available.
• Dr. Noelle N. Trent serves as president and CEO.