Beacon Hill in Boston in Suffolk County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
African Meeting House
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, June 19, 2021
1. African Meeting House Marker
African Meeting House
has been designated a National Historic Landmark
This site possesses national significance in commemorating the history of the United States of America
1975
National Park Service
United States Department of the Interior
Erected 1975 by National Park Service, Department of the Interior.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Civil Rights. In addition, it is included in the National Historic Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1975.
Location. 42° 21.601′ N, 71° 3.924′ W. Marker is in Boston, Massachusetts, in Suffolk County. It is in Beacon Hill. Marker is on Smith Court west of Joy Street, on the left. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Boston MA 02114, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Rebecca Lee Crumpler (within shouting distance of this marker); John Telemachus Hilton (within shouting distance of this marker); David Walker (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Maria W. Stewart (about 300 feet away); Birthplace of Charles Sumner (about 300 feet away); 20 Pinckney Street
this page online
Also see . . . The African Meeting House at Wikipedia. (Submitted on July 13, 2021, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana.)
Additional commentary.
1. Spoken Word at the African Meeting House
“We have met to-night in this obscure school-house; our numbers are few and our influence limited; but, mark my prediction, Faneuil Hall shall ere long echo with the principles we have set forth. We shall shake the nation by their mighty power.”
William Lloyd Garrison, January 6, 1832
Founding of the New England Anti-Slavery Society
“For it is not the color of the skin that makes the man or the woman, but the principle formed in the soul.”
Maria Stewart, September 21, 1833
Mrs. Stewart’s farewell address to her friends in the City of Boston
“…Independent of its history as a church and a school-house, this building has won for itself celebrity by the various meetings held within its wall by the colored citizens and the friends for promoting the cause
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, June 19, 2021
2. African Meeting House and Marker
The marker can be seen here on the near corner of the African Meeting House.
William C. Nell, October 8, 1858
20th Anniversary of the First Independent Baptish Female Society
“This is a meeting to discuss the best method of abolishing slavery, and each speaker is expected to present what he regards as the best way of prosecuting the anti-slavery movement…all methods of proceeding against slavery, politics, religion, peace, war, Bible, Constitution, disunion, union – every possible way known in opposition to slavery is my way.”
Frederick Douglass, December 3, 1860
“How Can American Slavery be Abolished?”
— Submitted July 13, 2021, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana.
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, June 19, 2021
3. Inscription on the African Meeting House near the entrance
A Gift to Cato Gardner first promoter of this building 1806
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, June 19, 2021
4. Spoken Word at the African Meeting House
Behind the Meeting House is a powerful monument with quotes from some of the many anti-slavery speeches given at the African Meeting House. See the Additional Commentary for this monument's text.
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, June 19, 2021
5. The nearby Abiel Smith School and Museum Store
This building is directly on Joy Street near the African Meeting House.
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, June 19, 2021
6. Boston African American National Historic Site Sign
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 13, 2021, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. This page has been viewed 299 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 13, 2021, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana.
