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Museum of African American History

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

El museo más grande de New England dedicado a la historia afroamericana ocupa dos edificios históricos en la ladera norte de Beacon Hill. La African Meeting House (1806) es la iglesia afroamericana más antigua que sigue en pie en los Estados Unidos —el salón donde William Lloyd Garrison fundó la New England Anti-Slavery Society en 1832—, construida por artesanos afroamericanos libres y restaurada para recuperar su aspecto de 1855. Justo al lado, la Abiel Smith School (1835), la escuela pública más antigua del país levantada expresamente para la educación de niños afroamericanos, alberga hoy las salas de exposiciones, los programas educativos y la tienda del museo. El recinto es la última parada del Black Heritage Trail del museo, un recorrido de 14 lugares a través de la comunidad negra libre de Boston anterior a la Guerra de Secesión; el MAAH cuenta además con una segunda sede en 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
Thu10:00–16:00
Fri10:00–16:00
SatToday10:00–16:00
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?
La iglesia afroamericana más antigua que se conserva en Estados Unidos y la primera escuela pública del país construida para niños negros, una junto a la otra en Beacon Hill. Current highlights include Voces negras de la Revolución: libertad, emancipación y la lucha por la independencia (Black Voices of the Revolution: Liberty, Emancipation, and the Struggle for Independence), Selecciones de la colección (Selections from the Collection), Galerías de The Abiel Smith School (The Abiel Smith School Galleries).
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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