Downtown in Boston in Suffolk County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)

Phillis Wheatley

(1753-1784)

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 6, 2026

1. Phillis Wheatley Marker

Inscription. Enslaved at a young age, Phillis Wheatley learned to read and write under the tutelage of her enslavers and proved to be one of the most gifted poets in North America. Her clever poems ingratiated her with the British and American public alike, and while she was denied many of the opportunities owed to her, she maintained faith that a new America might some day grant liberty to her and her people.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Colonial Era • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1753.

Location. 42° 21.419′ N, 71° 3.515′ W. Marker is in Boston, Massachusetts, in Suffolk County. It is in Downtown. It is on Milk Street near Washington Street, on the right when traveling west. The marker is one of several posted on the fence of the shop next to the Old South Meeting House. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 310 Washington Street, Boston MA 02109, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Historic Boston. It is also in the American Northeast,

in New England,

and

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on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Scipio Gunney (here, next to this marker); Thomas Hutchinson (here, next to this marker); One Ticket. A Whole Lot of Revolution! (here, next to this marker); Samuel Adams (here, next to this marker); John Hancock (here, next to this marker); John Adams (here, next to this marker); See Where the Boston Tea Party Began (here, next to this marker); Old South Meeting House (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Boston.

Also see . . . Phillis Wheatley: Her Life, Poetry, and Legacy. By the Smithsonian Institution.

Excerpt: "In 1773, Phillis Wheatley accomplished something that no other woman of her status had done. When her book of poetry, Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral, appeared, she became the first American slave, the first person of African descent,
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 6, 2026

2. Front view of Old South Meeting House
Several markers are affixed to the small shop to the right of the entrance to Old South Meeting House.
and only the third colonial American woman to have her work published."

(Submitted on November 11, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

South side of Old South Meeting House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 6, 2026

3. South side of Old South Meeting House

Credits. This page was last revised on November 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 11, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 11, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.