Boston’s Black Heritage Trail Essay Example

54th Regiment monument, with an inscription by former Harvard University president Charles W. Eliot, had the names of the 62 soldiers who died at Fort Wagner added to its lower portion in 1982. At the second stop, there was a dedication to George Middleton, an American Revolution veteran who reputedly led the all-black company called the Bucks of America.

Erected in 1797, the Middleton House at Beacon Hill is the oldest residence built by African Americans. The third stop features the Phillips School, an example of 19th-century Boston educational architecture which originally only accepted white children. However, after a legislative action ended segregation in 1855, Phillips School became a leading educational institution for students of all races. The fourth stop showcases John J.

During the Civil War, Smith House was situated in Washington, D.C., where he enlisted black men to become members of the 5th Cavalry. Following the war, he went on to serve as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives for three terms: in 1868, 1869, and 1872.

In 1878, Smith relocated to this dwelling and was appointed to the Boston Common Council. At the fifth stop, tourists can observe the Charles Street Meeting House, which was known for its discriminatory practices towards African Americans in New England churches, such as at the Charles Street Baptist Church. Timothy Gilbert opposed this policy and was later kicked out of the church.

After escaping slavery through the Underground Railroad to Detroit, Lewis Hayden and his wife Harriet moved to Boston where he became a leader in the abolitionist movement. In 1850, the Fugitive Slave Act allowed Southern slave owners to reclaim their fugitive slaves, prompting the couple to

convert their home into an Underground Railroad station. Hayden also established the First Baptist Free Church, known as Tremont Temple, which was considered the foremost integrated church in the United States. Stop number six on our tour is the Lewis and Harriet Hayden House.

The home of the couple became a sanctuary for numerous other escaped African Americans. In 1873, Hayden was elected to the state legislature and held the position until his death in 1889, having previously served as a Messenger to the Secretary of State from 1859. Meanwhile, his spouse established a scholarship program for deserving underprivileged colored students in Harvard University's medical school. The John Coburn House was the seventh destination on the tour.

In 1851, Coburn was detained, but subsequently heard and found not guilty for rescuing a runaway slave known as Shadrach. Additionally, he held the position of captain for the Massasoit Guards, a black military company which he co-founded. The Smith Court Residences, located from the eighth to twelfth sites of the museum, comprise five residential structures that reflect the housing of 19th century black Bostonians. William C. constructed these houses in 1799.

Nell resided at house Number 3 from 1851-1865 and was the initial black American historian to have works published. He not only acted as a community advocate but also spearheaded the endeavor to integrate Boston’s public educational institutions before the Civil War. In 1849, George Washington purchased house Number 5 and on top of being a laborer, also served as a deacon at the African Meeting House.

Some housing developments in the central block, such as house Number 7, have intricate pedestrian lanes reminiscent of African American residences

in the West End. In 1853, Joseph Scarlett built House Number 10, which still holds his legacy visible at the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church and on North Bennett and Myrtle streets. These brick residences are similar to apartment buildings constructed in the area from 1885 to 1915.

Built during the late 19th century, these residences were constructed to accommodate the housing requirements of European immigrants in Boston while maintaining a high density and low cost. A part of the tour includes visiting the Abiel Smith School that was set up with a contribution of $2,000 by white entrepreneur Abiel Smith for educating black children. Named after him, this school showcases the history of African Americans from slavery through to abolitionism, emphasizing their pursuit of academic greatness.

The final destination of the tour is the African Meeting House, constructed in 1806. It serves as a testament to the black community's organizational efforts during America's early days and remains as the oldest surviving black church structure in America. Black workers were mostly responsible for building this edifice. On January 6th, 1832, William Lloyd Garrison founded the New England Anti-Slavery Society within its walls.