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Website Scavenger Hunt - Black Heritage Trail

The Black Heritage Trail® is a 1.6 mile walk through the heart of Boston's Beacon Hill neighborhood. The trail includes buildings and homes connected to the history of the free Black community that lived in Beacon Hill in the 1800's. Many members of this community participated in the abolition movement.

Discover the stories of the Black Heritage Trail by taking a virtual scavenger hunt! This activity will send you to different pages on our website as you learn more about the free Black community of Beacon Hill. See the map below to take a virtual tour.

Instructions:

  1. Try to find the answer to each of these questions about sites on the Black Heritage Trail using site photos as a clue.

  1. Click and drag the image slider to the right to reveal the correct answer.

  1. Need help finding the answer? Learn more about the site by clicking on the hint.

Question 1

A photo of the William Cooper Nell house on Smith Court. The 2 story building is yellow with a white fence in front. A photo of the William Cooper Nell house on Smith Court. The 2 story building is yellow with a white fence in front.

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Answer: Slide to reveal

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What address did William Cooper Nell have when living on Smith Court?

As a home to many Black tenants, Smith Court played an important role in Beacon Hill. One famous tenant includes abolitionist William Cooper Nell. Nell lived on Smith Court between 1850 and 1857. In addition to his anti-slavery work, he led efforts to end segregation in Boston public schools.
Click here for a hint.

Question 2

Front of the African Meeting House. First story has two doorways under brick outlined archways. Filled brick archways flank the two doorways. Above are four very tall arched windows spaced evenly over the archways and doorways below. Front of the African Meeting House. First story has two doorways under brick outlined archways. Filled brick archways flank the two doorways. Above are four very tall arched windows spaced evenly over the archways and doorways below.

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Answer: Slide to reveal

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What is the oldest Black church still standing in existence today?"

Built in 1806, this building provided many services to the Black Beacon Hill community. It served as a church, a school, a meeting space and even a recruitment post. Many abolitionists including Frederick Douglass and William Lloyd Garrison delivered speeches inside. Today, the Museum of African American History owns and operates the building.
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Question 3

A red brick, four story meeting house with a cupola. Windows and doorways are under large arched outlines. The building has wings on either side of a main, rectangular sanctuary. On the right, the text reads " The church expelled Timothy Gilbert. A red brick, four story meeting house with a cupola. Windows and doorways are under large arched outlines. The building has wings on either side of a main, rectangular sanctuary. On the right, the text reads " The church expelled Timothy Gilbert.

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Answer: Slide to reveal

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What happened when Timothy Gilbert tried to invite African Americans to sit in his pew?

Founded as a White Baptist church, the Charles Street Meeting House became a place of abolitionist activity. In 1876, the African Methodist Episcopal Church purchased the building. Known as the Charles Street A.M.E. Church, the site continued to serve as a meeting place for activists for many years.
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Question 4

A green door on the left. A bronze plaque on a brick wall is next to door. Doorway has an arched window overhead. On right side, text "Ellen Craft disguised herself a White male enslaver with William Craft as a "slave" and boarded a train to Boston." A green door on the left. A bronze plaque on a brick wall is next to door. Doorway has an arched window overhead. On right side, text "Ellen Craft disguised herself a White male enslaver with William Craft as a "slave" and boarded a train to Boston."

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Answer: Slide to reveal

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How did William and Ellen Craft escape enslavement?

Lewis and Harriet Hayden escaped enslavement in the 1840's and settled in the North. In Boston, the Haydens became active and dedicated members of the abolitionist community. The Hayden's home became a safe house in the Underground Railroad for many freedom seekers including the Crafts. 
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Question 5

A 2 story brick building. On the front, there are 5 windows visible - 3 on the 2nd story, and 2 on the 1st. There is a door and window on the 1st floor and 2 windows spaced evenly above on the 2nd floor. On the right, text reads "Abiel Smith School" A 2 story brick building. On the front, there are 5 windows visible - 3 on the 2nd story, and 2 on the 1st. There is a door and window on the 1st floor and 2 windows spaced evenly above on the 2nd floor. On the right, text reads "Abiel Smith School"

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Answer: Slide to reveal

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What school opened in 1835 for Black students in Boston?

The fight for equal rights in the Black community of Beacon Hill went beyond their work in the national abolition movement. Locally, the community sought for equal education for their children. Opened in 1835, this school served as an all-Black school and provided a focal point for the community’s fight for equal school rights.
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Question 6

Close-up of some of the men of the 54th as represented in Augustus Saint-Gauden's Robert Gould Shaw Memorial. On the right, text reads "Almost 200,000" Close-up of some of the men of the 54th as represented in Augustus Saint-Gauden's Robert Gould Shaw Memorial. On the right, text reads "Almost 200,000"

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Answer: Slide to reveal

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How many African Americans joined the Union Army as soldiers during the American Civil War?

This famous memorial depicts Colonel Shaw as he leads the men of the 54th Massachusetts Regiment out of Boston. In 1863, this regiment became one of the first Black regiments to fight in the Civil War. Their bravery at the Battle of Fort Wagner led to the creation of more Black units and inspired other men to join.
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Question 7

A greyish green clapboard house with two neighboring front doors for either unit of this duplex residence. One window is visible to the left of the doors, two are visible to the right. A greyish green clapboard house with two neighboring front doors for either unit of this duplex residence. One window is visible to the left of the doors, two are visible to the right.

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Answer: Slide to reveal

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What is the name of the Black militia group that George Middleton led?

Activist George Middleton dedicated much of his life fighting for liberty and equality. As a soldier in the American Revolution, he fought for the independence of the United States. In Beacon Hill, Middleton worked with local organizations focused on social issues such as abolition and education.
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Question 8

3 story brick row home on a sloped roadway where the right side of building basement is exposed and clad in granite. Middle second floor window is a white bay window protruding over sidewalk. All other windows are black shutters. 3 story brick row home on a sloped roadway where the right side of building basement is exposed and clad in granite. Middle second floor window is a white bay window protruding over sidewalk. All other windows are black shutters.

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Answer: Slide to reveal

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What did John J. Smith do for work?

Born a free man, John J. Smith moved from Virginia to Boston in the 1840s. A leader in the abolitionist community, he helped secure freedom for others such as Shadrach Minkins. Smith also joined local leaders in the fight for equal education rights. In 1878, he became the first African American appointed to the Boston Common Council.
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Question 9

Three story brick row house at a street corner. Doorway is on the right side of house against neighboring unit. A faux balcony railing in cast iron is in front of the second story windows. Three story brick row house at a street corner. Doorway is on the right side of house against neighboring unit. A faux balcony railing in cast iron is in front of the second story windows.

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Answer: Slide to reveal

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In what organization did John Coburn serve as Treasurer?

Starting in 1844, community activist John Coburn lived in this home with his family. As an abolitionist, Coburn aided in efforts to help freedom seekers in Boston. His alleged involvement in the rescue of Shadrach Minkins led to his arrest but authorities later acquitted Coburn.
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Question 10

The Phillips School is a four story red brick building with a small tower or cupola on top. The Phillips School is a four story red brick building with a small tower or cupola on top.

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Answer: Slide to reveal

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In what year did Massachusetts pass a law allowing Black and White children to attend the school together?

Built in 1824, the Phillips school first served as an all-White school. After years of community activism, the state of Massachusetts passed a law outlawing segregation in public schools. The Phillips School became one of the first schools to accept Black students.
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Tags

Boston African American National Historic Site

Last updated: February 12, 2021