Boston, MA

Museum of African American History
DESCRIPTION: Preserves and interpret the contributions of people of African descent and those who have found common cause with them in the struggle for liberty and justice for all Americans; hundreds of artifacts from the 19th century to educate the public on the Afro American legacy in New England; includes gift shop

ADMISSION: Free, but donations appreciated

DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Sat 10a-4p except major holidays

ADDRESS: 46 Joy Street at Smith Court  MAP

PHONE: 617-725-0022

PARKING: on street

TRANSIT: Bowdoin Metro Station is 1.5 blocks north, 3 blocks east

WEBSITE: http://www.afroammuseum.org

Boston Massacre Monument
DESCRIPTION: In 1851 Lewis Hayden, William C Nell, and Charles Redmond petitioned the state legislature for this monument dedicated to Crispus Attucks; finally erected in 1888, the base-relief image of Crispus Attucks lies in the foreground of the granite monument, because he was the 1st to die for the colony that became America

ADDRESS: Boston Common, at Tremont Street and West Street  MAP

PARKING: public garages nearby

TRANSIT: Park Street Metro Station is 2 blocks northeast

Robert Gould Shaw & US 54th Regiment Memorial
DESCRIPTION: When President Lincoln admitted black soldiers into the Union forces in 1863, the US 54th Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer infantry was the 1st black regiment recruited in the north; as the movie Glory depicted, Robert Gould Shaw, a young white officer volunteered for its command; the 54th Regiment trained in what is present day Hyde Park area of Boston; on 18 July 1863 the 54th wrote history with their assault on Fort Wagner in Charleston, SC; Sergeant William Carney's bravery saving the flag despite three wounds earned him the distinction of 1st African American to be awarded a Congressional Medal of Honor; this tall bronze relief was sculpted by August Saint-Gaudens and erected 1897

ADDRESS: Boston Common, Beacon Street across from the State House  MAP

PARKING: public garages nearby

TRANSIT: Park Street Metro Station is 2 blocks southeast across Boston Common

William Lloyd Garrison Statue
DESCRIPTION: Honors one of the chief abolitionists of his day; The Liberator newspaper, first published by Garrison in 1831; for years it was the primary voice of the Abolitionist Movement; the fiery, uncompromising Garrison and many of his loyal readership who assisted in the Underground Railroad, are compelling examples that a number of European Americans were committed to the freedom and rights of African Americans; sculptor Olin L Warner’s piece was dedicated in 1885

ADDRESS: Commonwealth Mall between Exeter Street & Dartmouth Street  MAP

PARKING: public garages nearby

TRANSIT: Copley Metro Station is 1.5 blocks east, 4 short blocks south

Asa Phillip Randolph Memorial
DESCRIPTION: An exquisite major memorial to America’s greatest civil and labor rights organizer and leader, Asa Phillip Randolph (1889-1979) in one of Boston’s two major train stations; sculpted by Tina Allen, the 6 foot tall bronze memorial on a 2 foot tall circular pedestal details a man with a pencil contemplating his next plan; inscribed on the pedestal are Randolph’s words “Salvation for a race, nation or class must come from within”; he was born to an AME church reverend and mother in Crescent City, Florida who taught him lessons of leadership from Hannibal, Crispus Attucks, Nat Turner, Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass; after the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters was founded in 1921 by Ashley Totten, Randolph quickly rose to head the organization in 1925; though best known for organizing great marches on Washington in 1941 and 1963, Randolph has a lasting impact today for advancing the labor rights of all Americans; he was the first African American to successfully negotiate labor contracts with one of the largest employers in the first half of the 20th century, Pullman Car Company; he led the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters acceptance into the AFL-CIO with full member rights

ADDRESS: 145 Dartmouth Street, inside Back Bay (Train) Station  MAP

PARKING: public garages on premises

TRANSIT: Back Bay Metro Station on premises

Emancipation Monument
DESCRIPTION: In the same triangular park as the Harriet Tubman Monument finds another statue that is equally moving; it honors "African American freed persons who by their courage and valor gave meaning to emancipation; this sculpture by Meta Veux Warrick Fuller (1877-1968) was completed in 1913, but was rededicated here

ADDRESS: Columbus Ave at West Newton  MAP

PARKING: on street

TRANSIT: Massachusetts Avenue Metro Station 5 short blocks southeast, 1 block north

Harriet Tubman Monument
DESCRIPTION: A magnificent 9 foot tall bronze statue depicts Harriet Tubman leading slaves to freedom on the Underground Railroad; Harriet’s three dimensional image appropriately projects Harriet ahead of those she leads to freedom; Harriet was born in eastern Maryland, where she led most of escape sojourns for over 300 slaves, and takes them to freedom in Canada, she did this despite a huge bounty placed on her head by slaveholders; for her brave and selfless heroism she has lovingly earned the nickname “Black Moses”; sculpted by C. Cunningham, the monument was dedicated in 1999 on Triangular park-like setting in the historic core of Black Boston

ADDRESS: Columbus at West Newton  MAP

PARKING: on street

TRANSIT: Massachusetts Avenue Metro Station 5 short blocks southeast, 1 block north

Roxbury Center for Arts
DESCRIPTION: Newly renovated and located at Hibernian Hall in Roxbury; the Underground Railway Theater; has presented works such as, Are You Ready, My Sister?, a historical adventure story about Harriet Tubman

ADMISSION: Free, except during some special events
DAYS & HOURS: daily, but special events are typically at 7p

ADDRESS: 184 Dudley Street
  MAP

PHONE: 617-541-3900

PARKING: on street

TRANSIT:

WEBSITE: http://www.rcahh.org

Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists
DESCRIPTION: Established 1978 to compile, interpret and disseminate the culture of African Americans as defined by works of art; this estimable center has an international reputation for its interpretive work on the cultural heritage of African Americans and people of African descent throughout the world; one permanent exhibition is Aspelta: A Nubian King's Burial Chamber, the world's only fully accurate and scale-sized recreation of a Nubian tomb interior includes more than fifty 2600 year old objects from King Aspelta's tomb or times; the Eternal Presence sculpture by John Wilson celebrates human creativity and spirituality from the beginning of the human family to now - he drew inspiration from the Olmec heads of ancient Mexico and images contemplating Buddhas

ADMISSION: $4 adults, $3 seniors

DAYS & HOURS: Tue-Sun 1p-5p

ADDRESS: 300 Walnut Ave  MAP

PARKING: on premises

TRANSIT: Jackson Square Metro Station is an awkward 8 blocks west

PHONE: 617-442-8614

WEBSITE: http://www.ncaaa.org

Free At Last Sculpture
DESCRIPTION: Dedicated to distinguished Boston University alumnus, Nobel Laureate, civil rights leader and Drum Major for Peace --¬ Dr Martin Luther King, Jr; this abstract work features 50 doves rising in formation to symbolize peace in all 50 states; sculpted by Sergio Castillo

ADDRESS: Boston University campus off Commonwealth Ave, front of Marsh Chapel

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Archives
DESCRIPTION: Located in the Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center of Mugar Memorial Library, this is a history researchers paradise; it contains the writings and many personal effects of Dr King; the archives were placed here as stipulated in Dr King's will, which was written before the Freedom Center in Atlanta was conceived or built

ADMISSION: TBD

DAYS & HOURS: under reconstruction to become a better venue

ADDRESS: 771 Commonwealth Avenue at Boston University

PARKING:

TRANSIT:

PHONE: 617-353-2700

WEBSITE: http://www.bu.edu/library/mugar