Upon the Hill: The Beacon Hill Community

"I was born on Beacon Hill, and from early childhood, have loved to visit the Eastern wing of the State House, and read the four stones taken from the monument that once towered from its summit. One contains the following inscription: 'Americans, while from this eminence scenes of luxuriant fertility, of flourishing commerce, and the abodes of social happiness, meet your view, forget not those who by their exertions have secured to you these blessings.'"

- William Cooper Nell

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Perhaps no neighborhood has defined the history of Boston more than Beacon Hill. Its residents, their homes, and their gathering spaces played a transformational role in Boston's unique social, cultural, and political history. Long associated with the Massachusetts State House and lavish mansions, Beacon Hill is also the neighborhood of the Black Heritage Trail^®, the Museum of African American History, and Boston African American National Historic Site. Throughout its history, Beacon Hill has served as home for wealthy merchants and poor immigrants, industrialists and skilled artisans, social reformers and activists, political and religious leaders, writers, artists, and laborers.

Explore and find inspiration in the stories upon this hill.

 

 

Black Heritage Trail®

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  Virtual Black Heritage Trail® Tour

  Explore the sites of the Black Heritage Trail® virtually.

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  Experience the Past

  The Museum of African American History

  Visit the Museum of African American History.

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  The Robert Gould Shaw Memorial

  Learn about the 54th Regiment, the first Black regiment raised in the North during the Civil War.

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  George Middleton House

  An early leader of Boston's Black community, George Middleton resided on Pinckney Street in Beacon Hill.

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  The Phillips School

  After Black Bostonians won the battle to integrate schools, the Phillips School became one of the first integrated schools in 1855.

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  John J. Smith House

  John J. Smith – barber, abolitionist, and state legislator – lived at 86 Pinckney Street from 1878 to 1893.

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  Charles Street Meeting House

  Built in 1807, the Charles Street Meeting House has served as both a religious and community space throughout its history.

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  Lewis and Harriet Hayden House

  Notable community leaders Lewis and Harriet Hayden used their home as a gathering space and a shelter for freedom seekers.

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  John Coburn House

  John P. Coburn, clothes dealer and community activist, resided at 2 Phillips Street from 1844 until his death in 1873.

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  Smith Court Residences

  The historic homes on Smith Court served as a center of the Black Beacon Hill community.

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  Abiel Smith School

  Opened in 1835, the Abiel Smith School became the first schoolhouse in Boston dedicated to the education of Black children.

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  African Meeting House

  The oldest extant Black church building in the United States, the African Meeting House served as the heartbeat for the Black community.

 

Beyond the Trail

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  Black Churches of Beacon Hill

  Learn about the history of African American churches in Beacon Hill.

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  A Crusade Against Slavery

  Boston's Crusade Against Slavery

  Student-curated exhibition about Boston's central role in the struggle against slavery.

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  David Walker & Maria Stewart House

  Two of Boston’s most prominent African American activists resided at 81 Joy Street (then Belknap Street), David Walker and Maria Stewart.

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  George and Susan Hillard House

  While George Hillard remained a conservative political figure, Susan Hillard supported abolitionist causes and assisted freedom seekers.

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  Rebecca Lee Crumpler

  A pioneer in her field, Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler became the first Black woman to earn a medical degree in the United States.

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  Charles Sumner

  Charles Sumner served as a leading abolitionist in the U.S Senate, as well as a fierce advocate for civil rights.

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  Josephine St. Pierre Ruffin

  An activist at heart, Josephine St. Pierre Ruffin assumed many public roles throughout her life, from clubwoman to community leader.

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  The Woman's Era Club of Boston

  Members of the Woman's Era Club lived the club's motto to "make the world better" by devoting their lives to numerous causes.

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  Prescott Townsend

  Early gay activist Prescott Townsend began his life in the 19th century and lived long enough to march in the first-ever Pride parade.