https://www.nps.gov/boaf News releases from Boston African American National Historic Site. en-us https://www.nps.gov/bost/learn/news/npb-and-partners-commemorate-250th-anniversary-of-evacuation-day.htm Thu, 26 Feb 2026 13:00:00 EST The National Parks of Boston will commemorate the 250th Anniversary of Evacuation Day with a series of events marking the historic departure of British forces from Boston in 1776 and the first major victory of the American Revolutionary War. The event runs March 5 through March 17. https://www.nps.gov/bost/learn/news/npb-and-partners-commemorate-250th-anniversary-of-evacuation-day.htm https://www.nps.gov/bost/learn/news/tourism-to-npb-2023-report.htm Wed, 28 Aug 2024 11:23:00 EST A new National Park Service report shows that 2.9 million visitors to National Parks of Boston in 2023 spent $196.5 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 2,430 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $298.8 million. https://www.nps.gov/bost/learn/news/tourism-to-npb-2023-report.htm https://www.nps.gov/bost/learn/news/national-parks-of-boston-names-liza-stearns-new-deputy-superintendent.htm Wed, 31 Jul 2024 05:30:00 EST BOSTON–National Parks of Boston Superintendent Michael Creasey has named longtime National Park Service leader Liza Stearns as the new Deputy Superintendent. https://www.nps.gov/bost/learn/news/national-parks-of-boston-names-liza-stearns-new-deputy-superintendent.htm https://www.nps.gov/bost/learn/news/black-in-the-cradle-of-liberty-performance.htm Mon, 25 Sep 2023 11:40:00 EST On Sunday, September 24, live performers presented “BLACK in the cradle of liberty” at the Great Hall in Faneuil Hall. This declaration explored agency, voice, and the power of place. https://www.nps.gov/bost/learn/news/black-in-the-cradle-of-liberty-performance.htm https://www.nps.gov/bost/learn/news/national-parks-of-boston-visitor-spending-effects-2022.htm Thu, 31 Aug 2023 10:19:00 EST A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 2.5 million visitors to National Parks of Boston in 2022 spent $167.3 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 2,090 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $255.4 million. https://www.nps.gov/bost/learn/news/national-parks-of-boston-visitor-spending-effects-2022.htm https://www.nps.gov/bost/learn/news/npw-nps-directors-visit.htm Mon, 01 May 2023 08:00:00 EST In celebration of National Park Week, National Park Service Director Chuck Sams made his first official visit to the National Parks of Boston from April 25-26. https://www.nps.gov/bost/learn/news/npw-nps-directors-visit.htm https://www.nps.gov/bost/learn/news/2022-06-14-charlestown-programming.htm Tue, 14 Jun 2022 11:55:00 EST National Parks of Boston kicks off summer programming in Charlestown with commemorative and family-friendly events to honor the 247th anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill on June 17. These talks, tours, and hands-on, family-oriented activities provide visitors and community members with the opportunity to connect with each other while experiencing some of the most iconic historic sites across National Parks of Boston. https://www.nps.gov/bost/learn/news/2022-06-14-charlestown-programming.htm https://www.nps.gov/boaf/learn/news/rgs-54th-memorial-network-to-freedom.htm Tue, 29 Mar 2022 04:33:00 EST The National Park Service’s National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom accepted the Robert Gould Shaw 54th Massachusetts Regiment Memorial, owned and managed by the City of Boston, as one of 16 new listings from the 43rd round of applications, representing sites and programs in 11 states across the country. https://www.nps.gov/boaf/learn/news/rgs-54th-memorial-network-to-freedom.htm https://www.nps.gov/bost/learn/news/restoration-announcement-on-evacuation-day-at-dohe.htm Fri, 11 Mar 2022 10:00:00 EST Boston National Historical Park will receive a multi-million-dollar appropriation from the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) to restore the iconic 1902 Dorchester Heights Monument tower and landscape. When the project is completed, visitors will be able to enjoy the improved public green space and spectacular 115-foot landmark on Telegraph Hill that commemorates a pivotal event of the Revolutionary War. https://www.nps.gov/bost/learn/news/restoration-announcement-on-evacuation-day-at-dohe.htm https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1207/04-23-2021-ugrr-ntf.htm Fri, 23 Apr 2021 08:16:00 EST Second Gentleman of the United States Douglas Emhoff and Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland announced 16 additions to the National Park Service’s National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program. The new listings join nearly 700 other sites, programs, and facilities in the network that honor, preserve, and promote the history of resistance to enslavement through escape and flight. A recording of the event can be viewed via YouTube. https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1207/04-23-2021-ugrr-ntf.htm https://www.nps.gov/boaf/learn/news/second-gentleman-douglas-emhoff-secretary-deb-haaland-announce-new-listings-in-underground-railroad-network-to-freedom-program.htm Fri, 23 Apr 2021 05:35:00 EST Second Gentleman of the United States Douglas Emhoff and Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland announced 16 additions to the National Park Service’s National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program. The Lewis and Harriet Hayden House and Boston: An Underground Railroad Hub are two of those listings which were accepted as a site and a program, respectively, in the Network. https://www.nps.gov/boaf/learn/news/second-gentleman-douglas-emhoff-secretary-deb-haaland-announce-new-listings-in-underground-railroad-network-to-freedom-program.htm https://www.nps.gov/bost/learn/news/national-parks-as-platforms-for-dialogue.htm Fri, 19 Jun 2020 07:22:00 EST Today as our country remembers Juneteenth, I reflect upon the recent words of National Park Service acting Director David Vela who spoke out against racial injustices in our nation. As the stewards and storytellers of our nation’s heritage, national parks have a role in revealing a deeply layered and complicated American narrative. https://www.nps.gov/bost/learn/news/national-parks-as-platforms-for-dialogue.htm https://www.nps.gov/boaf/learn/news/the-shaw-54th-restoring-the-memorial-and-the-dialog-on-race.htm Wed, 09 Oct 2019 08:21:00 EST On Tuesday, October 15, 2019, from 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., the City of Boston, Friends of the Public Gardens, Museum of African American History and the National Park Service will announce the partnership to support the multi-million dollar restoration project of the Shaw Memorial. The event will take place at the Shaw Memorial at 24 Beacon Street across from the Massachusetts State House. https://www.nps.gov/boaf/learn/news/the-shaw-54th-restoring-the-memorial-and-the-dialog-on-race.htm https://www.nps.gov/boaf/learn/news/national-day-of-healing-2019.htm Thu, 22 Aug 2019 05:54:00 EST August 2019 marks the 400th anniversary of the first landing of enslaved Africans in English-occupied North America at Point Comfort in Hampton, Virginia, today Fort Monroe National Monument. The National Parks of Boston and its partners will come together in solidarity on Sunday, August 25, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. and join the nationwide, 4 minute (one minute for each century) bell ringing ceremony, to honor the first enslaved Africans who landed in North America. The public is invited to pause, reflect, and honor those enslaved Africans who arrived in 1619 and subsequent generations who endured hardship, possessed resilience, and contributed to the history and development of the United States. Bell ringing will take place at Faneuil Hall, USS Cassin Young, USS Constitution, Old South Meeting House, Old North Church, and King's Chapel. Throughout the weekend the National Parks of Boston will offer programs to commemorate 400 years of African American History. https://www.nps.gov/boaf/learn/news/national-day-of-healing-2019.htm https://www.nps.gov/bost/learn/news/boston-healing.htm Wed, 21 Aug 2019 06:01:00 EST August 2019 marks the 400th anniversary of the first landing of enslaved Africans in English-occupied North America at Point Comfort in Hampton, Virginia, today Fort Monroe National Monument. The National Parks of Boston and its partners will come together in solidarity on Sunday, August 25, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. and join the nationwide, four minute (one minute for each century) bell ringing ceremony, to honor the first enslaved Africans who landed in North America. The public is invited to pause, reflect, and honor those enslaved Africans who arrived in 1619 and subsequent generations who endured hardship, possessed resilience, and contributed to the history and development of the United States. Bell ringing will take place at Faneuil Hall, USS Cassin Young, USS Constitution, Old South Meeting House, Old North Church, and King’s Chapel. https://www.nps.gov/bost/learn/news/boston-healing.htm https://www.nps.gov/bost/learn/news/national-parks-of-boston-resume-operations-january-2019.htm Sat, 26 Jan 2019 06:20:00 EST With the enactment of the continuing resolution, National Park Service staff at Boston National Historical Park, Boston African American National Historic Site and the Boston Harbor Islands State and National Park will resume limited operations on January 26 and 27, 2019. https://www.nps.gov/bost/learn/news/national-parks-of-boston-resume-operations-january-2019.htm https://www.nps.gov/boaf/learn/news/picturing-frederick-douglass.htm Wed, 29 Jun 2016 06:01:00 EST On display in one of the Preeminent African American National Historic Landmarks in the United States July 15, 2016 - July 31st, 2017 https://www.nps.gov/boaf/learn/news/picturing-frederick-douglass.htm https://www.nps.gov/boaf/learn/news/freedomrisingvideos.htm Thu, 16 May 2013 12:49:00 EST In May 2013, Boston African American National Historic Site was proud to cosponsor Freedom Rising: The 150th Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation and African American Military Service. https://www.nps.gov/boaf/learn/news/freedomrisingvideos.htm https://www.nps.gov/boaf/learn/news/freedom-rising.htm Sat, 04 May 2013 10:05:00 EST In commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, Boston African American NHS and several Greater Boston educational, historical, and cultural institutions presented a symposium at the Radcliffe Institute. Held on May 3, 2013, this event focused on the Emancipation Proclamation and its hemispheric impact, the recruitment of Black troops, Black communities, Black women, and legacy in art. https://www.nps.gov/boaf/learn/news/freedom-rising.htm https://www.nps.gov/boaf/learn/news/boaf-goes-to-harvard.htm Wed, 12 Dec 2012 09:24:00 EST As part of this upcoming year's celebration of the sesquicentennial of the Emancipation Proclamation, BOAF Park Ranger Ryan McNabb is co-leading a class at Harvard University with Professor John Stauffer, a longtime friend and supporter of BOAF. https://www.nps.gov/boaf/learn/news/boaf-goes-to-harvard.htm https://www.nps.gov/boaf/learn/news/2012yearinreview.htm Wed, 12 Dec 2012 09:16:00 EST Throughout the past year, BOAF has worked tirelessly to provide the public with new and engaging interpretive programming highlighting the unique and inspiring history of the free African American community of 19th century Boston that led the city and the nation in the fight against slavery and injustice. https://www.nps.gov/boaf/learn/news/2012yearinreview.htm https://www.nps.gov/boaf/learn/news/walker.htm Sun, 30 Sep 2012 11:30:00 EST Visitors to the north slope of Beacon Hill may notice a plaque at 81 Joy Street marking the home of black Bostonian David Walker (1796/7?-1830), but many are unaware of his radical abolitionist activities in the struggle against slavery and for racial equality. The David Walker Memorial Project-spearheaded by Community Change, Inc.-seeks to rectify this by bringing public awareness to the remarkable life and work of Walker and establishing a public memorial in Boston. https://www.nps.gov/boaf/learn/news/walker.htm https://www.nps.gov/boaf/learn/news/summer-newsletter.htm Sun, 01 Jul 2012 11:21:00 EST Greetings! Welcome to the Summer 2012 edition of the Boston African American National Historic Site (BOAF) e-newsletter. https://www.nps.gov/boaf/learn/news/summer-newsletter.htm https://www.nps.gov/boaf/learn/news/baseball.htm Fri, 01 Jun 2012 11:01:00 EST According to Chandra Harrington, the Museum of African American History has a unique opportunity to teach history, especially to young people. "Every ethnic group should know their history," she says and she hopes that a visit to the Museum will aid young people in their future. https://www.nps.gov/boaf/learn/news/baseball.htm https://www.nps.gov/boaf/learn/news/stephanie.htm Tue, 01 May 2012 11:17:00 EST Recently, BOAF had the pleasure of welcoming Stephanie LeBris as a visiting tour guide from the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in France. The cemetery, which is run by the American Battle Monuments Commission, was established on June 8, 1944 as the first American cemetery on European soil during the Second World War. It is home to the graves of 9,387 American military personnel, most of whom lost their lives during D-Day landings and operations. https://www.nps.gov/boaf/learn/news/stephanie.htm https://www.nps.gov/bost/learn/news/the-national-park-service-visitation-benefits-local-economy.htm Fri, 02 Mar 2012 10:36:00 EST A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 3.2 million visitors in 2010 spent $93,586,000 in Boston National Historical Park, Boston African American National Historic Site, and in communities near the parks. That spending supported 1,212 jobs in the local area. https://www.nps.gov/bost/learn/news/the-national-park-service-visitation-benefits-local-economy.htm https://www.nps.gov/boaf/learn/news/amh-reflections.htm Thu, 01 Dec 2011 06:25:00 EST NPS Rangers and staff, in addition to community partners, offer their thoughts on what the African Meeting House means to them. https://www.nps.gov/boaf/learn/news/amh-reflections.htm https://www.nps.gov/boaf/learn/news/horace-seldon-spotlight.htm Thu, 01 Dec 2011 06:15:00 EST For the past dozen years, Horace Seldon has been an instrumental part of BOAF.He is one of the "Core Four" NPS Rangers who has shaped the interpretation of the site for more than a decade. https://www.nps.gov/boaf/learn/news/horace-seldon-spotlight.htm https://www.nps.gov/boaf/learn/news/boaf-conferences.htm Wed, 31 Aug 2011 06:20:00 EST One of BOAF's missions is to engage the community through citizen participation, school programs and civic service. Through education and community outreach, BOAF aims to share the rich history of the free African American community on Beacon Hill in the 19th century and the black and white abolitionist movement that thrived there. https://www.nps.gov/boaf/learn/news/boaf-conferences.htm https://www.nps.gov/boaf/learn/news/civil-war-lecture-series-recap.htm Fri, 01 Jul 2011 10:05:00 EST April 2011 marked the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War. In commemoration of this extraordinary milestone, BOAF sponsored a Civil War Sesquicentennial Lecture Series. The 7-part series began in December 2010 and concluded in June 2011. https://www.nps.gov/boaf/learn/news/civil-war-lecture-series-recap.htm https://www.nps.gov/boaf/learn/news/meeting-house-construction.htm Sun, 01 May 2011 11:11:00 EST The African Meeting House to Open Again in December 2011 The African Meeting House was the political, religious and social center of the free African American community in Boston prior to the Civil War and today is the oldest standing black church building in the U.S. A partnership with Boston African American National Historic Site (BOAF) provides for the preservation and the interpretation of the National Historic Landmark, owned by the Museum of African American History (MAAH). https://www.nps.gov/boaf/learn/news/meeting-house-construction.htm