Past Events
In honor of National Poetry Month, Living Language is an evening of poetry, reflection, and community celebrating the liberating power of language. Special guest poet Amanda Shea will join the lineup, bringing her dynamic storytelling and perspective to the stage. The evening also includes a limited community open mic for local poets and an interactive mini-workshop, Poetry as Preservation, where participants will write a five-line poem inspired by a museum artifact or exhibit piece. The program closes with a collective reading of audience-created poems and an invitation to continue building community through future MAAH events.
Experience Beacon Hill through art and history with artists Elisa Hamilton and Clareese Hill on a special walking tour of their public art projects, Glimpses of Glapion and The Black Boston Dream Oracle. The tour begins at 1:00 pm at the Boston Common Visitors Center and invites participants to explore digital and XR works that bring Boston’s Black history and stories to life through immersive storytelling and reflection. The experience continues with a reception and Q&A at 2:15 pm at the Museum of African American History, offering a chance to engage directly with the artists and learn more about their creative process.
Have you ever wondered how the objects around us can tell stories of the past? Artists Clarese Hill and Elisa Hamilton lead a hands-on workshop exploring how historical objects reveal the stories of Boston’s Black community in the 1800s. Participants will engage with artifacts and documents such as barbers tools from the 1800s, newspaper reproductions of The Liberator, and a reproduction of Chloe Russell’s The Complete Fortune Teller and Dream Book, uncovering hidden histories and reflecting on the lives, struggles, and triumphs of those who came before us. Whether you’re an artist, history enthusiast, educator, or simply curious, this workshop offers a unique opportunity to engage directly with history in a meaningful and accessible way. Come ready to look closely, think critically, and discover the stories hidden in plain sight.
Grounded in community and connection, the session is rooted in the belief that everyone can dance. Move, learn, and discover more about yourself and one another through shared rhythm and movement. Celebrate Haitian Folkloric Dance with the Museum of African American History as part of its Boston Family Day programming. Led by Jean Appolon Expressions, this all-levels workshop welcomes participants of all backgrounds and experience.
This session explores whose histories are protected, uplifted, or overlooked on Nantucket and how this is shaped by race & identity and is facilitated by Dr. Denise Patmon and Azure Parker. MAAH invites the Nantucket community to join this series of guided conversations focused on truth, justice, and healing. These gatherings are part of a three part series which began March 28 and will end on May 2. We will reflect on the lasting impact of the 2018 vandalism, celebrate the rich legacy of the African Meeting House and the historic New Guinea community, and create space to listen, learn, and connect.
Experience sound & movement centered on self-care focusing on rebirth, clarity, and healing. The Haus of glitter invites the community into a sound and movement experience. Participants will be guided through restorative breathwork, deep listening, and gentle movement, immersing themselves in frequencies of healing and renewal. This is an offering to soften, listen, and begin again.
Spring into April and find your flow with yogi Sheila Thorne! Refresh your mind, body, and spirit this April with a morning of mindfulness and yoga! Arrive early to secure a mat or bring one from home! All experience levels are welcome. Stretch with us every first Saturday in 2026!
Join the Museum of African American History for an evening with January Gill O’Neil, author of Glitter Road, a Massachusetts Book Awards Honors title in poetry. O’Neil will speak about the legacy of Phillis Wheatley and read from her celebrated collection. She’ll also explore the contemporary poetry of Black women in Boston and across Massachusetts before opening the floor for an audience Q&A and book signing.
MAAH invites you to an opening community conversation focusing on the past, present, and future of the African Meeting House. We will reflect on the impact of the 2018 vandalism of the African Meeting House and its lasting effects on the Nantucket community. This gathering creates space to acknowledge what happened, honor the deep history and significance of the African Meeting House, and come together in thoughtful dialogue. Through listening and reflection, we will begin to discuss the impact of that moment and hold space for community care, accountability, and healing. This is the first of a three-part series. All are welcome to attend and be part of this important conversation.
Join Queer History Boston and the Museum of African American History for a special screening of The Watermelon Woman (1996), Cheryl Dunye’s groundbreaking debut and a defining work of New Queer Cinema. Followed by a panel discussion on “Silences in the Archives,” exploring the gaps, erasures, and hidden narratives within historical records.
Step into an immersive cultural experience celebrating the power, artistry, and legacy of Black hair. Through live muses, curated visual art, striking photography, and a special Boston Hair Legacy Tribute, this gallery honors the stories, memories, and identity carried in every strand. This is more than an exhibition, it’s living heritage. Celebrate the culture. Uplift the beauty. Preserve the legacy.
This live, dynamic conversation focuses on Black Boston history and the new ways information is shared today. Moderated by historian Dart Adams, the panel features creators Ebony Gill (Boston Urban Archive), and Jazz Dottin (Black Gems Unearthed) who will explore how social media amplifies untold stories, engages new audiences, and invites community participation. The event will be livestreamed.
Hone your storytelling skills with The Moth! In this workshop, you will reflect on your life experiences through prompts and brainstorming exercises. Through this workshop, you will leave with skills that will inspire confidence, self-reflection, an deepen connections within and between communities.
In celebration of Women's History Month, join us in person for a relaxed and inspiring chat with broadcaster, actress, and producer Jayne Kennedy, author of Plain Jayne: A Memoir, and Renée Graham, associate editor and columnist for the Boston Globe. It's your chance to hear stories, ask questions, and get a behind-the-scenes look at her journey. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to connect with Jayne up close!
Beat the winter blues and find your flow with yogi Sheila Thorne!
Refresh your mind, body and spirit this February with a morning of mindfulness and yoga! Arrive early to secure a mat or bring one from home! All experience levels are welcome.
On the anniversary of the Boston Massacre, MAAH & BHM100 invite you to reflect on what freedom means 250 years since the American Revolution and 100 Years since the inception of BHM.
Dr. Jarvis Givens will open the evening with a conversation drawing from this latest work, "I’ll Make Me A World: The 100-Year Journey of Black History Month."
A focus for the conversation is Crispus Attucks and the early Black claims to American democracy. This case study will be followed by a panel conversation and group reflection to discuss a path forward. Stay after for a community dinner and a signed copy of Givens’ book!
Celebrate Women’s History Month at the Museum of African American History!
Be part of a special Black Women’s History program featuring powerful historical readings, a live City Strings performance, music, a dynamic panel of past and present leaders, archival displays, and meaningful community fellowship.
Together, we’ll honor the legacy, leadership, and lasting impact of Black women in a space dedicated to culture, reflection, and celebration.
Experience "suite for a minor meeting" at the historic African Meeting House in Boston. This free live presentation by Jonathan González unfolds through movement, sound, sculpture, and text, activating one of the city’s most historic spaces.Space is limited and registration is encouraged. Reserve your place and witness an immersive artistic encounter. Be part of this powerful cultural moment in a landmark setting today.
Celebrate Black History. Creativity. Community. Join us for Rooted & Rising, a FREE Black History Month celebration at the Museum of African American History! Explore culture, creativity, and connection inside the museum . An entrepreneurship workshop powered by JPMorgan Chase will be available following the event. Workshop space is limited — don’t wait!
Experience the United States premiere of In Search of Phillis Wheatley Peters. Directed by Leslie Askew of Askew Pictures, this compelling film explores the remarkable life, legacy, and impact of Phillis Wheatley Peters. Through powerful storytelling and historical insight, the film sheds light on her contributions and the enduring significance of her work. Join us for an evening of history, reflection, and inspiration, and witness this important story to come to life.
Attend a panel discussion centering the work of featured artist Jonathan González and his new project, suite for a minor meeting.
Presented in conjunction with Magical Thinking, of Systems and Beliefs, the conversation brings together González with Angela T. Tate, Phillip Howze, and Yolande Daniels, and is moderated by TUAG Curator Laurel V. McLaughlin.
The panel will reflect on the layered research informing the project, including the abolitionist history of the African Meeting House and the enduring legacy of Frederick Douglass, whose speeches and organizing work in Boston shaped national movements for emancipation and Black citizenship.
What if we all centered Black wellness in our daily life? Connect, heal and recharge with The Haus of Glitter at the Museum of African American History. Through restorative dialogue + frameworks, breathwork, deep listening and gentle movement, this retreat invites adults 18 and up to nurture yourself and build community.
Enjoy Southern hospitality at its best. Savor a flavorful meal created in collaboration with Heritage Market and award-winning chef Larry J of Larry J’s BBQ Café followed by a performance featuring Boston poet Amanda Shea.
Celebrate Black History Month through stories and imagination. Gwendolyn Wallace leads this engaging Children’s Storytime, bringing joy, creativity, and meaningful conversation to young readers and their families.
In “Joy Takes Root”, a young Black girl immerses herself into the world of herbal medicine, gardening, and mindfulness during a summer with her grandmother. Read along and let the stories take root!
You’re invited to an invigorating conversation on the experiences of free and enslaved Black people during the American Revolution as they fought for independence on the battlefield, in courtrooms, and in their communities.
“Whose Independence: Black Experiences during the American Revolution.”
Dr. Noelle Trent, Museum of African American History | Boston & Nantucket; Dr. Benjamin Remillard, Providence College; and Dr. Chernoh Sesay Jr., DePaul University; in conversation with Dr. Kyera Singleton, Royall House and Slave Quarters.
Hear the stories that history often leaves out. Angela Tate, MAAH’s Chief Curator and
Director of Collections and acclaimed archeologist Dr. Nedra Lee, will discuss the process of assembling and curating our Black Voices of the Revolution exhibit. From rare found cowrie shells to interactive exhibits that allow visitors to dive deeper into the perspectives of key figures like Lucy Terry Prince, Phillis Wheatley Peters, Chloe Spear, among other important women in Boston & Nantucket's history.
Experience the conversation, honor these voices, and engage with history in a new way.
Discover how Black history is created, preserved, and celebrated. Our own Dr. Noelle Trent leads a panel of scholars including Dr. Kyera Singleton of The Royall House & Slave Quarters, Jen Turner of The Robbins House, and Akiba Abaka of NCAA Boston, who will explore the stories, strategies, and vision behind the institutions that honor Black history.
Then join the after-party with our Centennial Celebration of Black History Month! Performance by Boston Public Quartet and music by DJ Cruz. Be part of shaping and celebrating Black history with us
Roll your sleeves up and get creative at this unique flower arranging workshop with Wendy Alexis-Janvier, founder of Pilon Fleur.
Wendy combines her passion for creativity and business acumen to provide floral boutique offerings like custom bouquets and historic interpretations through floral arrangements (check out the Phillis Wheatley Peters installation at the 2025 Living Legends Gala).
Design and assemble floral bouquets with Pilon Fleur! Whether you are looking to decorate your home or craft a bouquet with Valentine’s Day around the corner, come over to our Boston campus and join us for an evening of curation and community.
Join us as we begin the BRL88 journey tracing Boston’s earliest Black community roots — from the North End’s historic New Guinea Settlement to Joy Street on Beacon Hill.This immersive tour connects the past and present through sites that tell Boston’s story of resilience, faith, and freedom. This walk explores the lives of free Black Bostonians who shaped the city from the colonial era through abolition and beyond.
A Little History is a fun-filled interactive educational workshop that highlights the importance of such historic figures as Phillis Wheatley, Garrett Morgan, Angela Davis, Barack Obama and more! Young elementary students are encouraged sing, clap, move, imagine, and invent as they explore the stories of these trailblazing historical figures. Presented by COOS Teaching Artist Caden Burston.
Read along with us as we celebrate Black History Month at the museum.
Slow down with us and join us for an afternoon of storytelling at the museum!
We Go Slow illustrates the story of a grandfather and his granddaughter exploring their neighborhood without the restriction of time. On their walk, they engage in all their senses and walk through the streets with wonder.
Jazz, poetry, and performance will come together for a thoughtful conversation exploring Black arts in Nantucket! This program highlights the creative traditions, cultural impact, and lived experiences that have shaped Black artistic expression on the island. This discussion invites reflection, dialogue, and community connection through the arts.
Be part of the conversation and experience the power of Black arts in community.
Start your Saturday off with intention and mindfulness with yogi Sheila Thorne!
Arrive early to secure a mat or bring one from home! All experience levels are welcome.
Bring an open mind and a moment for yourself! Don’t miss this opportunity to refresh your mind, body, and spirit! Join us every Saturday in 2026!
Enjoy food, entertainment, a museum tour, and a scavenger hunt in one exciting afternoon. Teens are invited to explore the museum, uncover hidden stories, and connect with friends through this interactive experience hosted by MAAH and the Mayor's Office for Youth and Engagement
Celebrate MLK Day with us as we amplify the bold voices of youth who challenge, inspire, and lead the way toward a more just future.
Join us for a moving program featuring classical works, spirituals, and freedom songs performed by young musicians from the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras’ Intensive Community Program, alongside remarks, readings, and spoken-word tributes to Dr. King’s enduring legacy.
This Sunday we’re BACK at the Museum of African American History with Storytelling & Improvisation—an interactive, fun-filled workshop where storybooks leap off the page through music. Designed for children ages 4–10, this playful experience invites young participants to become musical storytellers, using their voices and beginner-friendly instruments to explore character, plot, and emotion in real time.
Grab your family and friends and join Urbanity Dance for an all-ages intergenerational Hip Hop Dance Class at the Museum of African American History! ????????✨
Celebrate movement, culture, and connection while learning the fundamentals of hip hop, including bounces, rocks, isolations, and freestyle. All levels welcome. The class will be led by an Urbanity Dance faculty member and followed by a 15-minute Q&A.
Bring your friends and family and come move, groove, and have fun together!
Start your Saturday off with intention and mindfulness. Meet us on the mat every first Saturday of the year as we continue our yoga series with yogi Sheila Thorne!
Arrive early to secure a mat or bring one from home!
All experience levels are welcome.
We can't wait to see you on New Year's eve for the Emancipation Proclamation Concert at 1:00pm at Trinity Church, Boston!
Presented in partnership with the Museum of African American History as part of First Night Boston and as an Everyone250 recognized event, this powerful program traces the evolving promise of freedom through music—spanning from the Declaration of Independence to the Emancipation Proclamation—and explores its complicated journey across nearly a century of American history, connecting us across time and continents.
Ammaya Drum Circle is back!
Join the Museum of African American History for our first Boston Family Days event in December.
Come prepared to participate and drum! ????
Explore the vast world of wine, food, and culture from Africa & Beyond with Cha McCoy & Layla Schlack!
This rich discussion will expand on their first of its kind guide that has taken the culinary world by storm. Part practical guide and part travelogue, WINE PAIRING FOR THE PEOPLE appeals to people who love to cook and eat out, armchair travelers, and hobby and professional sommeliers and chefs alike.
Join us for a toast to a brilliant book moderated by Tamika R. Francis of Food & Folklore.
Join The Haus of Glitter for an hour of restorative breathwork, stretching, tension release, guided rest and collective care.
How can strengthening our wellness be a revolutionary act?
Bring your water, exercise mat, towels, blankets, pillows, & journal (all optional).
Ammaya Drum Circle is back!
Join the Museum of African American History for our first Boston Family Days event in November.
On Sunday, November 2, from 1 to 2 p.m., we will hold a Drum Circle workshop with Ammaya Dance & Drum.
Come prepared to participate and drum ????
Start your Saturday off with intention and mindfulness with yogi Sheila Thorne!
Arrive early to secure a mat or bring one from home! All experience levels are welcome.
Bring an open mind and a moment for yourself! Don’t miss this opportunity to refresh your mind, body, and spirit!
Celebrate Black women who pioneered social change despite operating outside of the traditional halls of power!
Join us for an engaging book talk with Professor and Author Keisha N. Blain in conversation with Angela Tate, MAAH Chief Curator and Director of Collections.
Ammaya Drum Circle is back!
Join the Museum of African American History for our second Boston Family Days event in October.
On Sunday, October 12, from 1 to 2 p.m., we will hold a Drum Circle workshop with Ammaya Dance & Drum.
Come prepared to participate and drum! ????
Experience an inspirational evening at the 2025 MAAH Stone Book Awards on October 9th, set in the heart of history at the African Meeting House. The celebration begins with a reception at 5:30pm and the awards presentation at 6:30pm. The first 100 guests to arrive will receive a signed copy of one of this year’s winning books!
Every attendee will walk away inspired after an evening of powerful conversation with our award-winning authors, jurors, and Under the Radar's Callie Crossley.
???? Meet us on the mat next Saturday as we kick off our new yoga series with yogi Sheila Thorne! Start your Saturday off with intention and mindfulness.
Arrive early to secure a mat or bring one from home!
All experience levels are welcome. Bring an open mind and a moment for yourself.
How do museums, cultural institutions, and artists confront racism and drive social change?
During this discussion, panelists reflect on how exhibitions, creative installations, and mural projects can uncover and address implicit bias within curation and the broader world of the humanities.
Panelists:
Latisha Jones – Playwright (Washington, DC)
Dr. David J. Harris – Emeritus Managing Director, Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race and Justice; Lecturer, Harvard Law School; Chair, Massachusetts Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights
Dr. Noelle Trent – President & CEO, Museum of African American History (Boston & Nantucket)
Dr. Kyera Singleton – Executive Director, Royall House and Slave Quarters
Moderator:
Dr. LaToya Bosworth – Mass Humanities
Immerse yourself in this vital conversation on identity, discrimination, and the transformative role of art and activism in shaping a more equitable future.
Douglass Week is presented by The Globe Lane Initiative. The Globe Lane Initiative organizes a variety of events and collaborates with different partners to develop numerous transatlantic projects. MAAH is proud to participate in The Globe Lane Initiative's #DouglassWeek2025
???? Join us for an inspiring evening of performances honoring #FrederickDouglass, his family, and their lives and legacies!
Performers include Broadway stars like Paul Oakley Stovall (Hamilton), Nikhil Saboo (Dear Evan Hansen), and Yassmin Alers (Rent).
???? Special guests include Douglass and Booker T. Washington descendants, Nettie Washington Douglass and Kenneth B. Morris Jr. of the Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives, Nicole Morris (Les Misérables), Dr. J. Jacques Carter (Harvard), Massachusetts Inaugural Poet Laureate Regie Gibson, Douglass scholar Dr. Noelle Trent, President & CEO of the Museum of African American History | Boston & Nantucket, and more.
???? Celebrate history, music, and community!
In August & September, the West End Museum and the Museum of African American History are reading and discussing “Stamped from the Beginning” by Ibram X. Kendi.
Read this powerful book on the history of racist ideas and the antiracist efforts to dismantle them in the company of community. Book club meetings will be on September 16, 6pm at WEM and on September 23 and 30, 6pm at MAAH.
Meet us on the mat. Refresh your mind, body, and spirit!
All levels of experience are welcome.
Learn about the connection between the history of Beacon Hill and the importance of urban trees and greening!
This program will start with a short talk about the history of Boston and how that has shaped the urban environment. Then, participants will take a walk along a small portion of the North Slope to observe the street trees in the area and reflect on the benefits of trees and greenspace in their own lives. This will be followed by an opportunity to decorate and plant seeds in small pots to take home.
We invite you to join us in celebrating and stewarding our connection to nature! This activity is free to the public.
Join the Museum of African American History and Sisters in Stitches Joined By the Cloth for “Sojourner Truth, Sewing the Seeds of Justice: Honoring the Legacy of Truth and Peace with the Needle.” This “make your own block” quilt workshop and trunk show will include making two blocks, one to keep and one for the collaborative quilt created in honor of Sojourner Truth. This event will accept donations, though there is no cost for entrance. Support the preservation of our history with a suggested donation of $20 or simply by joining us and spreading the word!
Immerse yourself in a 45 minute experience blending guided meditation with the healing power of sound. Take a mindful pause this Sunday with Sound Medicine & Mindfulness. Led by certified sound healer Díjí Kay aka DeShaun Gordon-King, this workshop introduces practices of mindfulness, grounding, and self-care through a meditative sound bath. This workshop will be held on Sunday, August 10 at our Boston campus from 1-2pm and is free & open to the public.
✨ Participants are encouraged to bring a towel or yoga mat, as you’ll have the option to lie down during the experience.
Archive your own family or neighborhood history through a hands on-archiving workshop hosted by Company One, Department of Public Imagination, American Ancestors and MAAH!
Expand your skillset and grow your community with us on Sunday, August 3 following the 2pm performance of The Meeting Tree!
Learn from MAAH’s Chief Curator Angela T. Tate & archivist Shalley Marshall about how to care for your family heirlooms. Attendees should bring along an item or photo that holds personal significance to you, your family, or your community. This workshop teaches participants various methods on how to explore and preserve the artifacts and memories that are most important to you.
Whether you’re a collector or curious about exploring your own family history, this workshop will inspire you to pay homage to your roots and envision a future legacy.
Ammaya Drum Circle is back! Join the Museum of African American History for our first Boston Family Days event in August. On Sunday, August 3, from 1 to 2 p.m, we will hold a Drum Circle workshop with Ammaya Dance and Drum. Come prepared to participate and drum.
Unite in breath and movement with MAAH and Sheila Thorne of Bous Yoga on July 26th for an afternoon of relaxation and renewal on the lawn at our Nantucket location followed by a tour of the museum. We will connect with our bodies and minds before immersing ourselves in the rich African American history & spirit of the museum.
All levels and bodies are welcome and encouraged to join us and participate! You don't want to miss this wonderful opportunity and class!
This class is free of charge, with a suggested donation of $10. Don’t miss this opportunity to refresh your mind, body, and spirit while connecting with history.
We’re proud to announce the launch of a long-term partnership between Bee Blunt and the Museum of African American History Boston & Nantucket (MAAH). A collaboration rooted in storytelling, and legacy.
Together, we’re bringing history to life through fashion. Nantucket Narratives is the first drop from the “Threads of Legacy” collection, and the first of many Bee Blunt collections inspired by the archival stories and cultural preservation work of the museum.
This is just the beginning where heritage meets design, and Black history is worn with pride.
FINDING OURSELVES IN PUBLIC SPACES: An UnMonument Project emphasizes the importance of highlighting Black women in our public spaces here in Boston. MAAH's Chief Curator & Director of Collections, Angela Tate, is joined by Boston-based activist Frieda Garcia & Dr. Edmund Gaither, founding Director of NCAA Boston for this important discussion.
Learn more about Step on Board by Fern Cunningham and Emancipation by Meta Warrick this Saturday at Harriet Tubman Park (Columbus Ave & Pembroke St) from 12-2PM.
Unite in breath and movement with MAAH and Sheila Thorne of Bous Yoga on July 12th for a morning of relaxation and renewal at the Susan Paul Room in the African Meeting House followed by a tour of the museum.
We will connect with our bodies and minds before immersing ourselves in the rich African American history & spirit of the museum.
All levels and bodies are welcome and encouraged to join us and participate! You don’t want to miss this wonderful opportunity and class! This class is free of charge, with a suggested donation of $10.
Come celebrate Boston Family Days with us at the Boston Campus this Sunday, July 6th, from 1-2 PM. Experience the power of drumming in this free hands-on workshop with Ammaya Dance and Drum. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned drummer, come ready to participate!
Learn about the transformative music and work of gospel artist Andraé Crouch through an insightful lecture by renowned teacher, researcher, and author Dr. Bob Darden. This engaging, free event is open to all and will be held in the African Meeting House at our Nantucket location on July 5, 2025, at 10:30 AM. Take part in this unique opportunity to learn about the profound influence of Crouch’s music and legacy.
We're excited to be back at the MA 54th Regiment Memorial with @masshumanities, @masscultural, @cciantiracism, and @gibsonregie on Friday June 27th for the 16th annual public reading of "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?" Join us at 12pm on the Boston Common. Participating in the reading is optional but encouraged.
Frederick Douglass in Massachusetts - A Conversation With The Douglass Family
????️ Thursday, June 26, 2025
???? 4:30 – 6:00 PM
???? Union Chapel, Oak Bluffs
????️ FREE Event – All Are Welcome! Free tickets on our website/#Eventbrite
Please join us for a FREE special event with the Douglass family and hear stories and insights about Frederick Douglass in Massachusetts!
This in person event will be held at historic Union Chapel in Oak Bluffs and will feature Douglass descendant Kenneth B. Morris, Jr. in conversation with Douglass scholar Dr. Noelle N. Trent, President & CEO of the Museum of African American History | Boston & Nantucket.
Don't miss this opportunity to learn more about the history of the Douglass family in the place that helped shape Frederick Douglass' legacy as a writer, orator, statesman, and father of the civil rights movement in America.
This #DouglassWeek2025 preview event will kick off programming for #DouglassWeek 2025, set for September 28-October 4 in and around Boston.
Celebrate Juneteenth in Boston with MAAH and our partners! Join us for the second annual Juneteenth Open House at the MAAH Boston Site - FREE to all visitors. The museum opens at 10am and the festivities start at 12pm with the raising of the Juneteenth flag. Find YOUR joy at any age with face painting, a dance workshop, art activities, Black-owned vendors, DJ & dancing, a drum circle, Underground Railroad walking tours, story time, film screenings, and closing performances of poetry, dance, and music. Thank you to all our partners and vendors: Boston Ujima Project, Heritage Marketplace, Cornell Coley, Haus of Glitter, Milly & Me Entertainment, DJ Cruz, National Park Service, and Boston Public Quartet.
Join us at the historic African Meeting House for And Freedom’s Reign, an immersive event honoring the words, legacy, and spirit of Frederick Douglass. Experience the Museum’s *NEW* AI-powered hologram of Douglass in an interactive pre-event, followed by an activity and a special performance by students from Project STEP.
Amaya Drum Circle is back!! Join the Museum of African American History for our first Boston Family Day event in June. On Sunday, June 1st, from 1 to 2 p.m, we will hold a Drum Circle workshop with Ammaya Dance and Drum. Come prepared to participate and drum
Join National Geographic Explorer in Residence Tara Roberts for an extraordinary evening as she shares the powerful journey behind her memoir, Written in the Waters: A Memoir of History, Home, and Belonging.
Roberts dives into the depths of history, identity, and belonging. As the first Black female explorer to grace the cover of National Geographic and the 2022 Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year, Tara’s work brings history to the surface—both literally and figuratively. Through deeply personal storytelling and historical reflection, she invites audiences to consider the resilience of the human spirit, the significance of remembrance, and the power of discovery.
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear Tara’s inspiring story firsthand.
Doors will open at 5:30pm for a brief reception.
Join the Museum of African American History and SISJBTC, “Sojourner Truth, Sewing the Seeds of Justice: Honoring the Legacy of Truth and Peace with the Needle.” This “make your own block” quilt workshop and trunk show will include making two blocks, one to keep and one for the collaborative quilt created in honor of Sojourner Truth. This event is has a suggested donation of $20 to support the preservation of our history.
Join the Museum of African American History, in collaboration with the Front Porch Arts collective and Central Square Theatre, for a special pop-up reading of Her Portmanteau. A Q&A with the actors will follow the reading.
Join the Museum of African American History for our first Boston Family Day event in May. On Sunday, May 5th, from 1 to 2 p.m., we will hold a Drum Circle workshop with Ammaya Dance and Drum. Come prepared to participate and drum. They will also return to our Museum on the first Sunday in June.
Join the Museum of African American History for a Workshop on Haitian Folkloric Dance as part of our Boston Family Day Programming. We invite everyone to join us as Jean Appolon Expressions leads a workshop for all levels. This workshop is grounded in building community and the belief that we can all dance and learn about ourselves and one another when we dance together.
Join us at the Museum of African American History for the Writing Boston’s Future Colloquium. This event is the culmination of this year’s cohort’s hard work and the debut of the digital stories. We hope to see you there as we appreciate and celebrate the accomplishments of these hardworking students
Join the Museum of African American History in partnership with the Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce, Town of Nantucket Dept. of Culture & Tourism and Nantucket Book Partners. For a Black History Month Celebration.
We’re thrilled to host an amazing program featuring keynote speaker, author, professor and historian, Dr. Tiya Miles. Miles will give a talk on the mother of the Underground Railroad, Harriet Tubman, in the historic space. A Q & A, book sale and signing will follow. Enjoy an impactful afternoon of celebration and reflection. We look foreword to seeing everyone there, for more information please visit maah.org/events
Join us at the Museum of African American History for a fireside chat between Boston Council President Ruthzee Louijeune and Dr. Noelle Trent, the museum’s president. The format will feature an intimate conversation followed by a lunch reception, creating space for meaningful community dialogue.This discussion will explore:
* Black Heritage Trail signage updates and revitalization
* Historical significance of Boston’s Black community on the Hill
* Community preservation initiatives and plans
???? Join us for @abcdboston’s Annual Black History Month Celebration at the Museum of African American History!
Come celebrate an evening filled with culture, delicious food, and amazing talent. This year, we’re proud to host the event at the Museum of African American History, located at 46 Joy Street, Boston, MA 02114.
???? **Date:** Thursday, February 20, 2025
⏰ **Time:** 5 PM – 7 PM
???? **Location:** Museum of African American History, 46 Joy St, Boston, MA 02114
Don’t miss out on this special occasion! ????
Join the Museum of African American History in the Susan Paul Room for a Black History Month Story Time. Get ready to sing, laugh, and clap along as we celebrate Black History Month.
Join the Museum of African American History on February 9th for an All Levels Yoga Class. Whether you are just starting or more advanced, join us for a relaxing class taught by Shelia Thorne.
Join the Musuem of African American History and SISJBTC, “Sojurner Truth, Sewing the Seeds of Justice: Honoring the Legacy of Truth and Peace with the Needle”. This “make your own block” quilt workshop and trunk show will inlclude making two blocks, one to keep and one for the collaborative quilt created in honor of Sojourner Truth. This a event is free to the public with a suggested donation of $20 to support the preservation of our history.
Join us on January 20th, 2025, at 1pm at the Strand Theatre for our annual celebration in honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.!
This performance, put on by BYSO and The Museum of African American History, will feature an array of classical music, spirituals, and freedom songs played by the young musicians from our Intensive Community Program alongside remarks, readings, and spoken word recitations from distinguished leaders on the power and promise of the civil rights hero.
This year, Dr. Keith Lezama, the Founder and CEO or Building Bridges Education, will serve as the powerful keynote speaker.
We sincerely hope that you, your friends, families, and more will join us for this special performance.
See you this Saturday!! Join us for the 200th Anniversary of commemorating the African Meeting House in Nantucket. This event is free and open to the public; limited seating is available.
Be with us this Tues., Dec. 31, at 1 pm, as The Handel and Haydn Society and the Museum of African American History once again present Boston’s annual Emancipation Proclamation Concert. A signature event of the First Night Boston celebration, this celebratory hour of music and storytelling commemorates the anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. All are welcome!
You're invited to the Living Legends Gala 2024! It's that time of year when we gather to celebrate Boston’s African American history and commemorate the long struggle for equality.
The Living Legends Award recognizes outstanding lifetime accomplishments to civil and human rights locally and nationally. The Living Legends Award continues a tradition established by the African Meeting House when they honored stalwart visionaries including Frederick Douglass and William Lloyd Garrison.
Join us to celebrate the release of Being Black in America’s Schools by author Brian Rashad Fuller! Being Black in America’s Schools: A Student-Educator-Reformer’s Call for Change is a modern twist on the classic 1933 book The Miseducation of the Negro by Carter G. Woodson, offering a stark yet humanizing portrayal of how our public education system consistently damages children of color. Most importantly, the book presents present-day solutions and a hopeful way forward through identity-affirming and liberatory education.
Dr. Noelle Trent, MAAH President & CEO, will join Fuller for a fireside chat followed by audience Q&A. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to connect with fellow book lovers and be part of this special event. Free giveaways will be provided to the first 10 guests who arrive, and book signing will occur at the event’s end.
Join us at "Freedom! A Juneteenth Celebration", for 3 days of free family fun in Boston and Nantucket! Swipe for the full schedule of events or visit maah.org/juneteenth.
June 15 - Boston Open House
Special Juneteenth Museum Tour; Screening of Jubilee, Juneteenth, and the Thirteenth; Face painting; Story Time; Italian Ice by Slushy Lady Boston; Music and Dancing!
June 19 - Nantucket Block Party
Tour of the Historic Coloured Cemetery; Screening of Jubilee, Juneteenth, and the Thirteenth; Block Party with food, music and
games for the whole family
June 19 - Boston Open House
Black Heritage Trail Tour; Face painting and balloon art; Italian Ice by Slushy Lady Boston; Special History Talk; Drum Circle with Cornell Coley; Musical Performance by City Strings
Join us for the We Refuse Book Release Party and Conversation! We are thrilled to invite you to Kellie Carter Jackson’s book release party and discussion with Dr. Kerri Greenidge. Come celebrate the launch of “We Refuse: A Forceful History of Black Reistance” at the historic African Meeting House. Free giveways to the first 50 guests who arrive. A book signing will be held at the conclusion of the event. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to connect with fellow book lovers and be part of this special event. Save the date! #WeRefuse
Museums serve as trusted spaces of memory and education. They are also critical to discussions around the history and legacy of slavery and racial injustice and how we might imagine a more just world.
Join us for a conversation with Kyera Singleton, Director of the Royall House and Slave Quarters, and Christian Walkes, Director of Education at the Museum of African American History hosted at the African Meeting House in Boston. We will explore the intersection of collective memory and museums, delving into the profound role and responsibility of being stewards of historic sites.
How can we empower youth to critically engage with the past, present, and future of social justice movements at a time when educators are being unfairly targeted? What can we learn from past educators, especially Black women, who built a tradition of educational activism? Moderated by Dr. Kim Parker, join educators and historians Kabria Baumgartner and Kellie Carter Jackson at the historic African Meeting House in Boston for a conversation about creating meaningful, inclusive, and transformative spaces for teaching and learning.
Join the Museum of African American History Wednesday, March 6, at 6pm for a presentation of A Revolutionary Encounter in London, an hour-long one-act play by Debbie Wiess about the little-known meeting between two of Boston’s most historic Colonial icons, Phillis Wheatley and Benjamin Franklin. On May 8th, 1773, enslaved African American poet Phillis Wheatley departed Boston for London to oversee the final preparations for publishing her book of poetry, Poems of Various Subjects, Religious and Moral. During her six-week stay in the British capital, she met many notables, including American Founding Father Benjamin Franklin, who had been living in London for over 15 years advocating for Colonial interests before the Crown and Parliament. The play is an imagining of their meeting unfolding in real-time, 251 years after their famous encounter. The play, featuring local actors Cathryn Philippe and Josiah George, will be presented as a staged reading in the sanctuary of the African Meeting House on Smith Court off of Joy Street in Beacon Hill, Boston. It will be followed by a discussion and then reception of light refreshments. The event is free and open to all, but rsvps are requested.
Join the Museum of African American History for a special presentation on Wake Up America: Black Women on the Future of Democracy, a new anthology that brings together the voices of major progressive Black women politicians, grassroots activists, and intellectuals who offer insights on how we can create a more equitable political future. Learn more about this project through a panel discussion featuring the book’s editor, Dr. Keisha N. Blain, who will be joined by contributors Kim Janey and Renee Graham. Zenzile Riddick from Harvard’s Graduate School of Education will moderate the conversation. Be sure to stay until the end to meet the panelists for a book signing at the end of the event.
Celebrate #Valentines Day with MAAH and @showcaseus! Join us for a discussion led by MAAH Historian in Residence @kerrigreenidge and a screening of #Loving.
Join us tomorrow (Wednesday) night in Randolph for the first discussion and screening of the #BlackHistoryMonth Film Series!
The Living Legends Award recognizes outstanding lifetime accomplishments to civil and human rights locally and nationally. The Living Legends Award continues a tradition established by the African Meeting House when they honored stalwart visionaries including Frederick Douglass and William Lloyd Garrison.
The Museum of African American History and the Beacon Hill Civic Association proudly presents “Let the Children Sing! A Tribute to Susan Paul” in the African Meeting House at the Museum of African American History on Beacon Hill.
The program honors 19th-century educator and abolitionist Susan Paul who, in 1832, formed a juvenile choir that performed at anti-slavery meetings and held concerts to raise money for the cause.
The concert features joyous music by Boston’s next generation of innovative artists like the City Strings, Hamilton-Garrett Youth Choir, and The Eastern Mass Children’s Choir, as well as remarks from civic and community leaders, including literary performer and educator Regie Gibson.
The National Parks of Boston, Mayor's Office of Arts & Culture, and Museum of African American History invite you to the Great Hall in Faneuil Hall on Sunday, September 24 from 3:00-4:30 p.m. for "BLACK in the cradle of liberty," a performance gathering that explores agency, resistance and the power of place. Curated by Boston Poet Laureate Porsha Olayiwola and narrated by Rei Fielder, the afternoon features music, dance and spoken word with an incredible lineup of Boston artists and creatives, including DJ WhySham, Nnenna Loveth, Crystal Valentine, Cakeswagg, Tim Hall, Ifé Franklin and Danny Rivera. A centerpiece of the event is Porsha Olayiwola's debut of “Still Speaking,” a newly commissioned poem performed with dancers Anastasia Wade, Javonna Corbin and Kenard Williams. The event is free and open to the public.
September 2023 marks the Semiquincentennial of the publication of Phillis Wheatley-Peters' Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral. This event seeks to highlight the legacy of Wheatley-Peters who made history here in Boston and globally. The event, Letters for Phillis, is inspired by the friendship between Phillis Wheatley and Obour Tanner, a Black woman enslaved in Rhode Island, and the letters they exchanged over the years. The event will feature several Black Woman poets reading their own work while engaging the work of Phillis Wheatley-Peters
Join us tomorrow at the Robert Gould Shaw and 54th Regiment Memorial for a special program commemorating the 160th Anniversary of the Battle for Fort Wagner. Come learn their story and celebrate their heroism through historical reenactment.