While some may find the posh “old-money” Beacon Hill location of an African-American history museum surprising, the area was actually home to one of the first black neighborhoods in Boston and was a center of activity during the abolitionist movement. Two historic buildings pay homage to its past with a small collection of art and artifacts and an educational exhibit about Boston's relationship to slavery and the road to freedom. Facing Joy St., the Abiel Smith School marks the site of the nation's first African-Amerian school. Modeled to resemble its days as a classroom, the building holds fast to its pedagogic tradition, with a video presentation on its founding. Call ahead to arrange free 90min. guided walking tours of Boston with a special focus on African-American history (617 742 5415). Around the corner, the Meeting House was the site of orations by William Lloyd Garrison, Frederick Douglass, Charles Sumner, and William Nell. During the Civil War, it served as a recruitment center for the 54th Massachusetts Regiment, led by Robert Gould Shaw (Harvard class of 1860) and was featured in the film Glory. The museum's lower floor features rotating historical exhibits, interactive computer stations, and films. Recent additions include a gallery area showing the works of Metawarrick Fuller and Edmonia Lewis. Check out the gift shop's selection of fine jewelry and African vessels ($20-150). Be sure to come well before closing time; the museum has been known to lock up by 3:45pm. Admission is free ($5 suggested donation). This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

The Museum of African American History, Black Heritage Trail® is a guided walking tour that explores the the history of Boston's 19th century African American community in Beacon Hill. There are fifteen points of interest on the 1.6 mile Trail. Most notable are the African Meeting House, the oldest standing black church in the country; the Abiel Smith School, teh first public school built solely for the purposes of educating black children; the Augustus Saint-Gauden's memorial to Robert Gould Shaw; and the African American 54th regiment. The tour begins at the Shaw Memorial, which is located on the Boston Common. After Labor Day, those wishing to walk the Black Heritage Trail® can schedule a tour with the National Park Service. Tip: If the kids are worn out from all the walking, take a break at nearby Myrtle Street Playground.