African Meeting House Now Open to the Public

The Museum of African American History (MAAH), Boston and Nantucket, rededicated the pristinely restored African Meeting House on Beacon Hill December 2011 with a series of private and public events marking the 205th Anniversary of the nation’s first anti-slavery church. The critically-acclaimed Rededication program with spoken and musical tributes — now available in its entirety to view
here on the MAAH website— are infused with the words of Frederick Douglass, William Lloyd Garrison, Mariah Stewart and all the brave men, women, and children who gathered there and changed
the course of American history.

African Meeting House Hours • Monday - Saturday  •  10am - 4pm

Experience the historic restoration of the African Meeting House for yourself. Guided tours with a National Park Service Ranger daily at 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm.

A Gathering Place for Freedom

The African Meeting House, built in 1806 by skilled black craftsmen, was the moral center of the African American community for nearly one hundred years and a magnet for all Americans of conscience.

They called it the Abolition Church. The black Faneuil Hall. A beacon on the hill. A center for civil disobedience. A school. A rallying point for the first blacks from the north to serve in the Civil War. A sanctuary, then a synagogue, now a museum.

Through this Rededication Celebration, we tell the stories of some of the greatest orators and activists of the time, including Frederick Douglass, Maria Stewart, and William Lloyd Garrison, and all the men, women and children whose voices filled this gathering place for freedom and contributed to ending slavery in this nation.

Come to the newly restored African Meeting House on Beacon Hill, the crown jewel of the Museum of African American History’s collection of historic sites in Boston and Nantucket.

African Meeting House Rededication Events - Boston, MA

Museum’s historic sites in Boston: The African Meeting House and Abiel Smith School on Beacon Hill are closed to the public 12/6/2011 for the private event. Abiel Smith School open to the public 10am – 4pm; African Meeting House Boston open to Museum Members only 12/7/2011 and 12/8/2011. African Meeting House Boston reopens to the public beginning 12/9/2011.

Members Only Preview of the African Meeting House

Wednesday, December 7 and Thursday, December 8, 2011 • 10am - 4pm

Become a member for access to these events.

Private guided tours of the newly restored National Historic Landmark leave every hour on the hour, beginning at 11am. Preview a unique collection of 65 life-sized portraits by noted photographer Don West featuring leaders from Boston and beyond. Exhibit closes March 2012.

• Abiel Smith School open to the public 10am - 4pm; African Meeting House Boston open to members only 12/7/2011 & 12/8/2011.

Members Only Exhibit Opening: ‘Portraits of Purpose: A Tribute to Leadership,
Boston 1980 – 2012’ • Wednesday, December 7, 2011 • 6 - 8pm

Become a member for access to this event.

Meet noted photographer Don West and preview his collection of 65 life-sized portraits of leaders who acted their conscience and made a difference. Spoken and musical tributes in the newly restored African Meeting House include special guests featured in the exhibit: Ted Landsmark, Klare Shaw, and Sarah Ann Shaw. Reception and exhibit viewing immediately follow. Exhibit closes March 2012.

• Abiel Smith School open to the public 10am - 4pm; African Meeting House Boston open to members only 12/7/2011 & 12/8/2011.

Public Grand Reopening of the African Meeting House
and ‘Portraits of Purpose’ Exhibit
Friday, December 9 and Saturday, December 10, 2011 • 10am - 4pm

Stroll through American history with National Park Service Rangers leading hourly tours of the beautifully restored African Meeting House and telling stories about abolitionist giants who rallied to end slavery. Participate in interactive performances by the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment soldiers and Paige Academy Nursery and Elementary School drummers. Also featured: Exhibit opening of 65 life-sized “Portraits of Purpose,” leaders from Boston and beyond by noted photographer Don West.

Refreshments provided.

Saturday, December 10th Schedule • A family-friendly event

10am • 'Portraits of Purpose' Exhibit

11am to 3pm • Hourly tours of African Meeting House

11:30am and 2:30pm • 54th Massachusetts Regiment

1:00pm • Paige Academy Drummers

Museum of African American History • 46 Joy Street • Beacon Hill • Boston
Boston historic sites are accessible for all.

Join the Museum for Chance to Win $500 TJX Gift Card
Become a new member, renew your membership, or make a donation by December 31, 2011
for a chance to win one of five $500 gift cards courtesy of The TJX Companies, Inc.

Click here for Hours, admission and directions.

African Meeting House Tours and ‘Portraits of Purpose’ Exhibit
Ongoing • Monday - Saturday • 10am - 4pm

Experience the historic restoration of the African Meeting House for yourself with a guided tour of this National Historic Landmark. Tour schedule: 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm. Browse the exhibit of 65 life-sized portraits by noted photographer Don West featuring leaders from Boston and beyond. Exhibit closes March 2012.

Museum of African American History • 46 Joy Street • Beacon Hill • Boston
Boston historic sites are accessible for all.

Join the Museum for Chance to Win $500 TJX Gift Card
Become a new member, renew your membership, or make a donation by December 31, 2011
for a chance to win one of five $500 gift cards courtesy of The TJX Companies, Inc.

Click here for Hours, admission and directions.

2011 – 2012 Events
For other happenings at the Museum’s Boston and Nantucket historic sites.

Click on Events for updates about the Museum’s Legacy Awards Gala, annual meeting, guest speakers, lectures, and educational opportunities for adults and children at one of our historic sites on Beacon Hill or Nantucket.

Museum of African American History, 46 Joy Street, Beacon Hill, Boston.
Historic sites accessible for all. For more information about the Museum, Black Heritage Trail® guided tours offered by the National Park Service Boston African American National Historic Site, exhibits, events, and membership opportunities, visit www.maah.org or call 617.725.0022, ext. 222.

Boston Hours and Directions

Monday through Saturday, 10AM to 4PM
Click here for Hours, admission and directions.

Members and children 12 years and under: FREE

For More Information

Call the Visitor Center, 617.725.0022

Press contact:
Lynn DuVal Luse
Phone: 617.725.0022, ext. 219
eMail: communications@maah.org

Become a new member, renew your membership, or make a donation by December 31, 2011
for a chance to win one of five $500 gift cards courtesy of The TJX Companies, Inc.

• $125 National Trust Fund Friend
• $50 Susan Paul Family
• $25 Lewis Hayden Individual
• $15 Eunice Ross Student/Senior

Additional membership opportunities available with increasing rewards at each level. Click here for information about all the member benefits, including free admission to the Museums in Boston and Nantucket. Click here to make a contribution.