Established in 1807, the Boston Anthenaeum is one of the oldest and most respected libraries in the country. Also housed here is an extensive art gallery. Their collection is over half a million volumes. The Boston Athenaeum is located in Beacon Hill close to the Massachusetts State House. One interesting item in the collection is a book bound in human skin, a copy of The Highwayman written by burglar James Allen, that was bound in his own skin per his request in 1837. Its newly renovated Children's Library serves children through age 13. A Preschool Room entices little readers with board books, easy readers, an aquarium, and more. The Young Reader Room has classics, non-fiction, and popular fiction. It also offers magazines, audio books, and computer stations for research. The Preschool Room has weekly story hours for members. Children's Library Hours: Mon 9am-8pm; Tue-Fri 9am-5:30pm; Sat 9am-4pm (Sept-May)

Hill House, Inc., founded in 1966, is an independent, non-profit community center that serves all Boston downtown neighborhoods, mainly centering on the community of Beacon Hill. The Hill House has multitude of acitivies to offer including a wide variety of intramural sports for children of all ages. However, the Hill House also serves the adult community through a variety of fun continuing education classes that you can sign up for. This is a fantastic resource for urban family and community building and is an asset to any new family to the area. A lesser known fact is the Hill House now occupies the spot where the MTV cast of the Real World Boston lived. This used to be an old firehouse. Hill House also has summer day camps, soccer camps, and baseball camps, for children ages four to 12. Registration for Hill House programs and Summer Camp is available online.

The Boston Jaycees, or also called the Boston Junior, is a network of individuals between the ages of 21-40 with an interest in networking, socializing, and community service. They are a subsidiary of the Massachusetts Junior Chamber of Commerce and the United States Jaycees. Although socially driven in many ways, the Jaycee's are very involved in charity raising and various non profits. Perfect group for someone looking to get more involved in their city, trying to give back, and looking to meet some new and interesting people along the way.

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Beacon Hill Nursery School has been educating toddlers on the Hill for the past 53 years with great facilities, teachers, and staff. Accepts students from 2 years of age- kindergarten. One of the oldest, poshest, and most widely respected nursery schools for your tot in the city.

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Formed in 1853 with the gift of 56 books from its owners' personal collections, the Congregational Library now holds 225,000 items documenting the history of one of the nation's oldest and most influential religious traditions. The Congregational Library on historic Beacon Street in Beacon Hill served as the exterior shot for TV's Ally McBeal and Boston Legal.