Museum of African American History, Boston

Smith Court served as the heart of Boston's African American community during the early 19th century and is an integral part of the Black Heritage Trail. The National Park Service conducts guided tours along this trail from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend, but you can explore it independently at other times.

Here, you'll discover the Boston campus of the Museum of African American History, established in 1964 to honor Boston's African American community and its history, from the era of slavery to the abolitionist movement. Inside the 1835 Abiel Smith School, the nation's first publicly funded school for African American children, which now serves as the museum's primary building, you'll discover exhibits that provide a thought-provoking counterpoint to the opulent lifestyle of the 19th century on the other side of Beacon Hill.

Just around the corner stands the 1806 African American Meeting House, a deeply moving and historic spiritual center, considered the oldest surviving church building in the United States constructed by free African American craftsmen. In 1832, this site also witnessed the formation of the New England Anti-Slavery Society by William Lloyd Garrison. In 2011, the building underwent an impressive $9.5 million restoration, preserving its rich heritage.