The Black Heritage Trail

“The largest collection of historic sites in the country relating to the life of a free African American community prior to the Civil War.” – Boston MAAH

This simple guide map to Boston’s Beacon Hill neighborhood presents the route of The Black Heritage Trail – a walking tour designed by the Boston Museum of African-American History to showcase the area’s Black history before, during, and after the Civil War. More than half of the city’s African-American population lived in the neighborhood during the 19th century, and the trail includes sixteen stops that showcase the prosperity, perseverance, and patriotism of the local Black community.

Photographs show several of the landmarks, while additional information about each can be found on the verso. Compiled by J. Marcus and Gaunzetta L. Mitchell. Printed and designed by Geneva Printing & Publishing in 1975 in Boston as part of the city’s Bicentennial Program.

Sources: Museum of African American History (Boston); City of Boston;