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Boston: Underground Railroad History Tour of Beacon Hill
Starting From
From $35.00 per person
Current Project Expedition rate
Experience inventory, live availability and secure booking provided by
Project Expedition
The Experience
What your day looks like
Boston's role in the fight to end legalized slavery is linked to the Black Heritage Trail in historic Beacon Hill. This pedestrian path is best experienced on foot, in a small group, with a knowledgeable local guide! Your 2.5-hour loop tour travels from Boston Common to visit Underground Railroad sites, elite homes of "Boston Brahmins," and abolitionist landmarks such as the African Meeting House. Our small-group walking tour delves deeply into the years 1833 to 1863, the tumultuous years leading toward Civil War. We walk in the footsteps of 19th-century Bostonians, all of whom grappled with the "peculiar institution" of racial enslavement in the U.S. With a captivating storytelling approach, Hub Town Tours provides the perfect introduction to Boston's role in America's "Second Revolution." As we travel past landmarks from Civil War Boston, your guide shares the gripping story of local Bostonians finding their voices and demanding an end to injustice across their young nation.
At a Glance
The experience, in brief
- Explore hidden history on Beacon Hill's Black Heritage Trail
- Learn stories from America's "Second Revolution" prior to the U.S. Civil War
- Discover the gripping story of local Bostonians finding their voices and much more
Detailed Itinerary
The journey, in full
Boston Common: Oldest public land in the Americas and Boston's communal grazing pasture (1634) Acorn Street: Narrow cobblestone alleyways wind throughout historic Beacon Hill Louisburg Square: Elegant neighborhood square from the elite world of 19th-century "Boston Brahmins" Phillips School: Built as a whites-only school in 1824, but among the first schools to integrate in Boston by 1855 John J Smith House: Home of leading abolitionist, state legislator, and former barber Charles Street: Primary thoroughfare of Beacon Hill, lined with local shops and restaurants Charles Street Meeting House: Historic meeting house (1807) and site of contentious debate over racial integration John Coburn House: Home of African-American community activist and abolitionist Lewis and Harriet Hayden House: Underground Railroad safe house owned by the Haydens, staunch abolitionists who were formerly enslaved Otis House: 1796 residence of Harrison Gray Otis, Boston mayor and nephew of revolutionary James Otis, Jr. Old West Church: Historic 1806 church designed by noted architect Asher Benjamin Charles Sumner House: Home of outspoken abolitionist and U.S. Senator beaten unconscious in the Capitol over the issue of slavery in 1856. Smith Court Residences: Homes of several African-American abolitionists, including historian William Cooper Nell Abiel Smith School: Founded in 1835 as a segregated school for Boston's African-American children African Meeting House: Cultural center of Boston's African-American community and oldest extant black church building in the U.S. (1806) George Middleton House: The oldest extant house in Beacon Hill (1787) was home to African-American Revolutionary War veteran Massachusetts State House: Massachusetts state capitol and "Hub of the Solar System" (1798) Robert Gould Shaw and the 54th Regiment Memorial: Our tour concludes beside the Robert Gould Shaw and the 54th Regiment Memorial opposite 24 Beacon Street.
Your Itinerary
Your day, step by step
Day 1
Boston
City/Town Tour at Beacon Hill, Boston.
Continued
Boston
Leisure at Boston Common Park.
Continued
Boston
City/Town Tour at John J Smith House.
Continued
Boston
Local Flavor at Charles Street Meeting House.
Continued
Boston
Local Flavor at African Meeting House.
Continued
Boston
City/Town Tour at Massachusetts State House.
Continued
Boston
City/Town Tour at Robert Gould Shaw Memorial.
Before You Go
What to know before booking
Included
Black Heritage Trail (All 10 landmarks) Small Groups (16 guests max) Beacon Hill Neighborhood
Not Included
Tips and gratuity Guides in Period Costume Admission inside Museums
What to Bring
Comfortable clothing and footwear Camera and bag for essentials Bring snacks and water
Restrictions
Not wheelchair accessible: the specific conditions and terrain of the Beacon Hill neighborhood make this particular route inaccessible for wheelchairs or guests using other mobility devices.
Meeting & Pickup
Soldiers & Sailors Monument on Boston Common Just behind the address 139 Tremont St. Boston, MA. (02111)
Languages Offered
[object Object]
Planning Notes
Hotel pickup offered: No Confirmation: Manual By Business
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