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Museum of African American History

ArchitectureLocal HistoryHistoryClosed · Opens 10amSee website for pricingPark Street (Red & Green Line)

New England's largest museum devoted to African American history occupies two original buildings on the north slope of Beacon Hill. The African Meeting House (1806) is the oldest extant Black church building in the United States — the hall where William Lloyd Garrison founded the New England Anti-Slavery Society in 1832 — built by free African American artisans and restored to its 1855 appearance. Next door, the Abiel Smith School (1835), the oldest US public school built solely to educate African American children, now holds the museum's exhibition galleries, education programs and store. The campus is the last stop on the Museum's Black Heritage Trail, a 14-site walk through Boston's pre-Civil War free Black community; a second MAAH campus stands on Nantucket.

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Permanent Collections

Plan Your Visit

Getting there

46 Joy Street, Boston, MA 02114, United States

Nearest station: Park Street (Red & Green Line), Bowdoin (Blue Line, weekdays 06:30–18:30 only)

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Hours

MonClosed
Tue10:00–16:00
Wed10:00–16:00
ThuToday10:00–16:00
Fri10:00–16:00
Sat10:00–16:00
Sun10:00–16:00

Admission

See website

Fee-based timed-entry ticket required; reserve online for entry at 10:30am, 11:30am, 1:30pm or 2:30pm Thursday–Sunday. Current admission prices are not published on maah.org — check the booking page.

Accessibility

The African Meeting House is accessible by ramp and elevator; the Abiel Smith School is not currently wheelchair accessible (per the National Park Service).

Nearby

Nichols House Museum

Architecture2 min walk

Otis House

Architecture2 min walk

Boston Athenæum

Art4 min walk

Old State House

Architecture8 min walk

Visitor Information

How much does Museum of African American History cost?
Ticket prices for Museum of African American History change by season and by exhibition. Fee-based timed-entry ticket required; reserve online for entry at 10:30am, 11:30am, 1:30pm or 2:30pm Thursday–Sunday. Current admission prices are not published on maah.org — check the booking page.. See the museum's website for the current rates and any concessions.
What are the opening hours of Museum of African American History?
Museum of African American History is open Thu–Sun 10:00–16:00 for general admission, with timed entry at 10:30, 11:30, 13:30 and 14:30. Tue–Wed 10:00–16:00 is reserved for field trips, private tours and rentals (no general admission). Closed Mondays. Also closed Thanksgiving (26 Nov 2026), Christmas Day (25 Dec 2026) and New Year's Day (1 Jan 2027).. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.
Where is Museum of African American History?
Museum of African American History is located at 46 Joy Street, Boston, MA 02114, United States, in the Beacon Hill area of Boston. The nearest stations are Park Street (Red & Green Line), Bowdoin (Blue Line, weekdays 06:30–18:30 only).
What can I see at Museum of African American History?
America's oldest surviving Black church and the first US public school built for Black children, side by side on Beacon Hill. Current highlights include The Abiel Smith School Galleries, The African Meeting House, Black Voices of the Revolution: Liberty, Emancipation, and the Struggle for Independence.
Do I need to book Museum of African American History in advance?
Booking ahead is recommended, especially for weekends, school holidays, and special exhibitions. Tickets are normally on the museum's website, and a pre-booked timed slot helps you avoid queues at the entrance.
When is the best time to visit Museum of African American History?
Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, especially mid-week. Late afternoons can also be calmer. Weekends, school holidays, and the lunch rush are the busiest periods.
Is Museum of African American History accessible?
The African Meeting House is accessible by ramp and elevator; the Abiel Smith School is not currently wheelchair accessible (per the National Park Service).

ajay_suresh / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)

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