Off the Beaten Path in Boston - The Black Heritage Trail

Boston, MA is nationally recognized as one of the key cities of the American Revolution. It was here that the famous Boston Tea Party gave a clear signal that American colonists would not allow the British to run roughshod over American rights. Here young American revolutionary speakers fanned the flame of revolt. It is here today that visitors to Boston can go back in history and visit many of the historic spots that were frequented by our patriotic forefathers along the Boston Freedom Trail. Far fewer visitor ever hear of or take time to visit a secondary "freedom trail" known as Boston's Black Heritage Trail off the Beaten Path in Boston .

1 Getting Started. The Black Heritage Trail may be well off the beaten path in Boston but it is worth your effort to discover its historic treasures. The Trail which includes public meeting houses, homes and monuments has been organized and preserved to help all Americans, of every ethnic or racial origin, to remember the contributions that Black Americans have made to forging the city of Boston and the larger nation.

The first African Americans came to Boston in 1638 as slaves. By the time of the American Revolution most blacks were counted as free. In 1790 a U. S. census in fact showed Massachusetts to be the only state in the union with no record of slaves living within its borders. The Black Heritage Trail spotlights structures that were actively used by African Americans during the 19th Century. During that hundred year period most African Americans lived in the same neighborhood on the north side of Beacon Hill. The Black Heritage Trail is located there today.

Visitors can tour the Black Heritage Trail on a guided tour offered by the National park Service throughout the summer months or by private request. But visitors are also invited to pick up a map and enjoy taking themselves on a self guided tour. For those who want to inform themselves before coming on location a visit to www.afroammuseum.org/trail.htm will allow you to follow the trail on line and perhaps decide which of the 14 stops you most want to make as you go off the beaten path in Boston.