Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Boston African American National Historic Site adventure.
Boston's historic sites tell of a legacy of freedom. That's certainly true at the city's African-American heritage site in the North Slope of Beacon Hill. A thriving African-American community built churches, schools, and businesses. It was here that the abolitionist movement gained momentum.
Free guided tours of the area start just across from the statehouse. Begin your tour at the 54th Massachusetts Regiment Memorial (from the movie "Glory"). From there, Park Rangers take you through two dozen buildings.
The Phillips School is a three-story structure. It housed one of Boston's first interracial schools.
The George Middleton House was built in 1797. It's the oldest home built by African-Americans on Beacon Hill. It was built by Middleton, a liveryman, and a hairdresser named Louis Glapion. Both men were members of the African Lodge of Masons, a group that furthered the education of blacks. The gray facade of the house stands out among the red bricks of the surrounding homes.
The African Meeting House anchors this historic Boston neighborhood. It was here that Frederick Douglass gave an anti-slavery speech in 1860. Col. Robert Gould Shaw recruited members for his 54th Massachusetts here in 1863. This structure is the oldest African-American church in the United States.
The North Slope of Beacon Hill beckons you to explore a rich, vibrant part of Boston's culture.