Museum of African American History - African American Historic Places (sitios de interés)
Descripción del sitio
| 46 Joy Street, Beacon Hill | Boston, MA 02114 | | ||
About: The African Meeting House on Beacon Hill was built in 1806 and remodeled in the 1850s in what once was the heart of Boston's 19th century African American community. It is the oldest black church edifice still standing in the United States. The facade of the meeting house is an adaptation of a design for a townhouse published by Boston architect Asher Benjamin.
In addition to its religious and educational activities, the meeting house became a place for celebrations and political and anti-slavery meetings. On January 6, 1832, William Lloyd Garrison founded the New England Anti-Slavery Society here. In the larger community this building was referred to as the Black Faneuil Hall.
At the end of the 19th century, when the black community began to migrate from the West End to the South End and Roxbury, the building was sold to a Jewish congregation. It served as a synagogue until it was acquired by the Museum of African American History in 1972. Its interior has since been restored to its known 1854 design.
 African Meeting HousePhotos and text courtesy Museum of African American History |
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