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Museum of African American History
Neighborhood: Beacon Hill
46 Joy St
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 725-0022
46 Joy St
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 725-0022
- Nearest Transit:
-
Bowdoin (Blue)
Park Street (Green, Red)
State (Blue, Orange)
- Hours:
Mon-Sat. 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
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3 reviews for Museum of African American History
I went here initially wanting to go to the African Meeting House, but I found out that that has been closed since 2006 for renovations. So to just the museum I went. This museum is tucked away on Becaon Hill and you may not find it at all unless you are looking for it. When we went we only saw maybe 2 other people there, which saddened me. But, I suppose during the summer it gets more traffic.
We were immediately greeted by the staff and given a run down of the museum. When you enter, you are in the gift shop. We browsed for a bit and I found many books that interested me (on African-American History obviously). They had postcards, and posters of famous African-Americans. They also had a poster of the Black Heritage Trail explaining all of the different buildings and houses in the area that are historical to the cities African American history.
The museum itself is 2 jam packed rooms. There is also a 17 minute video that you can watch (we didn't have time to watch it). The rooms have various artifacts, photographs, and explanations of African American history in Boston, the African Meeting House (next door to the museum), how Boston's African American history and community affected other parts of the country as well as places like Haiti (the first country to be established and run by blacks from a slave revolt). The 54th Regiment in the Civil War is also prominently featured here. The original photographs of these soliders is so fascinating. Many were in their very early 20's and some in their teens. The little biographies on them also told of their lives after the war.
There is a park ranger on duty there to answer all of your questions and play the movie for you upon request. He was knowledgeable and friendly.
I came away from this museum knowing so much more than I did. I think that often the African American history of Boston is forgotten. We tend to focus more on people like Paul Revere, Sam Adams etc.... and not the brave black people of our city. This museum is a must!
People thought this was:
- Useful (7)
- Cool (4)
This is a little jewel! Everyone knows about the Freedom Trail, but there's also a Black Heritage Trail. This museum details African-American history in Boston. The building is the African Meeting House, the the oldest black church in America and site of famous anti-slavery speeches. It's 3 stories, the first floor contains a gift shop and bathrooms. The second and third floors have exhibits and a video. It was a great refresher about the anti-slavery movement. Admission is free and they ask for donations.
People thought this was:
- Useful (4)
- Cool (3)
I'll admit I tend to dislike small museums, but that's because I find them to be abridged, ineffective, and unpleasant. I think the Museum of African American History plays a very important role and tells a very important story - I strongly encourage EVERYONE to go, especially visitors in Boston for the history. But I think the museum fails to live up to its name - it is at most the Museum of the African Meeting House and the Abiel Smith School. There is so much more that could be told and explored - the guide to the exhibit you get at the entrance mentions Maria Stewart speaking at the African Meeting House, but I didn't see anything within the museum following up on that story. Even the things discussed in the exhibits are only touched on briefly - are there no artifacts or evidence that could help tell us about the experience of soldiers in the Massachusetts 54th regiment, beyond the fact that recruiting meetings were held in the Meeting House? I want so much for the Museum to be great, but my visit left me asking, "Tell me more!" Which of course is desirable, but let's be honest, how many people actually go out and research the answers to the questions they form at a museum? Sure the bookstore has a lot of great books for those who are inspired to do their own deeper research, and I'm sure those who are absolutely clueless would come away having learned something, but I think the museum doesn't live up to its potential or its imperative.
