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Museum of African American History

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

Le plus grand musée de la Nouvelle-Angleterre consacré à l'histoire afro-américaine prend place dans deux édifices historiques du versant nord de Beacon Hill. L'African Meeting House (1806) est la plus ancienne église noire préservée des États-Unis — c'est là que William Lloyd Garrison fonda la New England Anti-Slavery Society en 1832. Édifiée par des artisans afro-américains libres, elle a été restaurée dans son état de 1855. Juste à côté, l'Abiel Smith School (1835), première école publique américaine spécifiquement construite pour instruire les enfants noirs, abrite aujourd'hui les espaces d'exposition temporaire, les ateliers pédagogiques et la librairie-boutique du musée. Ce site marque l'aboutissement du Black Heritage Trail, un parcours pédestre en 14 étapes à la découverte de la communauté noire libre de Boston avant la guerre de Sécession ; une seconde antenne du MAAH se visite également sur 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 plus ancienne église noire encore debout des États-Unis et la première école publique américaine bâtie pour les enfants noirs, réunies côte à côte sur Beacon Hill. Current highlights include Les Voix noires de la Révolution : liberté, émancipation et lutte pour l'indépendance (Black Voices of the Revolution: Liberty, Emancipation, and the Struggle for Independence), Choix d'œuvres de la collection (Selections from the Collection), Les galeries de la 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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