Events

Join The Haus of Glitter for an hour of restorative breathwork, stretching, tension release, guided rest and collective care. How can strengthening our wellness be a revolutionary act? Bring your own water, exercise mat, towels, blankets, pillows, & journal (all optional - not required).

Ammaya Drum Circle is back! Join the Museum of African American History for our first Boston Family Days event in November. On Sunday, November 2, from 1 to 2 p.m., we will hold a Drum Circle workshop with Ammaya Dance & Drum. Come prepared to participate and drum! 

Start your Saturday off with intention and mindfulness with yogi Sheila Thorne! Arrive early to secure a mat or bring one from home! All experience levels are welcome. Bring an open mind and a moment for yourself! Don’t miss this opportunity to refresh your mind, body, and spirit.

Dive deeper into award-winning historian and Brown University professor Keisha N. Blain’s new book WITHOUT FEAR: Black Women and the Making of Human Rights. Join us for a book talk with Professor & Author Keisha N. Blain in conversation with Angela Tate, MAAH Chief Curator & Dir. of Collections on Tuesday, October 28 from 5:30-7PM.  Learn about Black women who pioneered social change while operating outside of the traditional halls of power through this powerful seminar.  Bring your curiosity to the table and tell a friend! 

Mark your calendars. On October 19, 2025 from 1-4pm at Boston's City Hall Plaza, we RESET, Rhythms of the City.Join Access Culture, the Massachusett Tribe at Ponkapoag, North American Indian Center of Boston (NAICOB), and the Museum of African American History on Sunday, October 19 at Boston’s City Hall Plaza from 1:00-4:00 pm for an event uniting art forms from across Boston. Through music, dance, and interactive drumming, RESET reclaims public space through collective expression that invites participants to reconnect with ancestral roots.Weaving together music, movement, and memory, we honor shared histories and imagine a more inclusive future.

Join us on Thursday, October 9 at the Museum of African American History in Boston for the 2025 Museum of African American History Stone Book Award Event — a highly anticipated annual social and scholarly event where we honor three authors whose remarkable books have made significant contributions to documenting African American history and highlighting the African American experience. Enjoy a FREE wine and hors d’oeuvres reception before gathering in the historic African Meeting House. The first 100 people to arrive will receive a free signed copy of one of the winning books!

How do museums, cultural institutions, and artists confront racism and drive social change?

During this discussion, panelists reflect on how exhibitions, creative installations, and mural projects can uncover and address implicit bias within curation and the broader world of the humanities.

Panelists:
Latisha Jones – Playwright (Washington, DC)

Dr. David J. Harris – Emeritus Managing Director, Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race and Justice; Lecturer, Harvard Law School; Chair, Massachusetts Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights

Dr. Noelle Trent – President & CEO, Museum of African American History (Boston & Nantucket)

Dr. Kyera Singleton – Executive Director, Royall House and Slave Quarters

Moderator:

Dr. LaToya Bosworth – Mass Humanities

Immerse yourself in this vital conversation on identity, discrimination, and the transformative role of art and activism in shaping a more equitable future.

Come join us for "The Douglass Family in Massachusetts" — a powerful #DouglassWeek 2025 panel at the historic African Meeting House in Boston.

🗓️ When: Oct 1st, 2025 | 6:00 PM
📍 Where: African Meeting House | Museum of African American History, 46 Joy St, Boston MA

This event brings together Douglass descendants and leading scholars to celebrate the family’s deep roots in Massachusetts and their lasting legacy of justice and activism. From Frederick Douglass’s years in Lynn and Boston to the generations who carried his vision forward, we’ll reflect on history while connecting it to the present.

✨ Featuring Kenneth B. Morris Jr., Dr Anne Mattina, Dr Noelle Trent and #DouglassWeek team members!

Don’t miss this inspiring evening of dialogue, history and community — free and open to all! Bring a friend and be part of the story.

Douglass Week is presented by The Globe Lane Initiative. The Globe Lane Initiative organizes a variety of events and collaborates with different partners to develop numerous transatlantic projects. MAAH is proud to participate in The Globe Lane Initiative's #DouglassWeek2025

🎤 Join us for an inspiring evening of performances honoring #FrederickDouglass, his family, and their lives and legacies!

Performers include Broadway stars like Paul Oakley Stovall (Hamilton), Nikhil Saboo (Dear Evan Hansen), and Yassmin Alers (Rent).

🌟 Special guests include Douglass and Booker T. Washington descendants, Nettie Washington Douglass and Kenneth B. Morris Jr. of the Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives, Nicole Morris (Les Misérables), Dr. J. Jacques Carter (Harvard), Massachusetts Inaugural Poet Laureate Regie Gibson, Douglass scholar Dr. Noelle Trent, President & CEO of the Museum of African American History | Boston & Nantucket, and more.

Designed for children ages 4–10 (Pre-K to 3rd Grade), Storytelling and Improvisation is an interactive, 60-minute workshop (two 30-minute sessions) that brings storybooks to life through music. Students will become musical storytellers—using their voices and beginner-friendly instruments to express plot, character, and emotion in real time. A playful, creative introduction to improvisation and performance!  Sing along with us on Sunday, September 14 at the Museum of African American History! There will be two sessions running from 1-1:30pm & 1:30-2:00pm. We hope to see you there! 

Learn about the connection between the history of Beacon Hill and the importance of urban trees and greening! This program will start with a short talk about the history of Boston and how that has shaped the urban environment. Then, participants will take a walk along a small portion of the North Slope to observe the street trees in the area and reflect on the benefits of trees and greenspace in their own lives. This will be followed by an opportunity to decorate and plant seeds in small pots to take home. We invite you to join us in celebrating and stewarding our connection to nature! This activity is free to the public.

Join the Museum of African American History and SISJBTC, “Sojourner Truth, Sewing the Seeds of Justice: Honoring the Legacy of Truth and Peace with the Needle.” This “make your own block” quilt workshop and trunk show will include making two blocks, one to keep and one for the collaborative quilt created in honor of Sojourner Truth. This event is free to the public with a suggested donation of $20 to support the preservation of our history. 

Sound Medicine and Mindfulness is a 45-minute immersive auditory experience. Introducing concepts of meditation and mindfulness, the program guides participants through an introductory guided meditation and sound bath. The session is led by COOS teaching artist, Deshaun Gordon-King, a certified Sound Healer.

Ammaya Drum Circle is back! Join the Museum of African American History for our first Boston Family Day event in August. On Sunday, August 3, from 1 to 2 p.m., we will hold a Drum Circle workshop with Ammaya Dance and Drum. Come prepared to participate and drum.

Unite in breath and movement with MAAH and Sheila Thorne of Bous Yoga on July 26th for an afternoon of relaxation and renewal on the lawn at our Nantucket location followed by a tour of the museum. We will connect with our bodies and minds before immersing ourselves in the rich African American history & spirit of the museum. All levels and bodies are welcome and encouraged to join us and participate! You don't want to miss this wonderful opportunity and class!This class is free of charge, with a suggested donation of $10. Don’t miss this opportunity to refresh your mind, body, and spirit while connecting with history.

This event marks the launch of an ongoing creative partnership between Bee Blunt and MAAH that will blend historical preservation with contemporary fashion. The debut of “Threads of Legacy,” an exclusive capsule collection designed by Bee Blunt for MAAH, draws inspiration from the stories, voices, and archival material preserved by the museum.The collaboration will showcase “Threads of Legacy: Nantucket Narratives”, a special pop-up experience and capsule collection on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at the Seneca Boston–Florence Higginbotham House, one of two historic properties on MAAH’s Nantucket campus.Join us for the official opening of the shop where you will have the opportunity to purchase limited-edition pieces, meet the designer, and learn about the stories behind the collection.

Join the Museum of African American History in collaboration with Castle of our Skins for “Play Songs and Games”. A 60-minute (two 30-minute sessions back-to-back), audience participatory workshop exploring African American and Caribbean play songs and games. While the songs and games used are traditional ones played by children, this workshop is educational and appropriate for both children and adults alike, and best suited for groups of 10-20 people.

Unite in breath and movement with MAAH and Sheila Thorne of Bous Yoga on July 12th for a morning of relaxation and renewal at the Susan Paul Room in the African Meeting House on our Boston campus followed by a tour of the museum. We will connect with our bodies and minds before immersing ourselves in the rich African American history & spirit of the museum. All levels and bodies are welcome and encouraged to join us and participate! You don't want to miss this wonderful opportunity and class! This class is free of charge, with a suggested donation of $10. Don't miss this opportunity to refresh your mind, body, and spirit while connecting with history.

Ammaya Drum Circle is back for a third time!! Join the Museum of African American History for our first Boston Family Day event in July. On Sunday, July 6th, from 1 to 2 p.m., we will hold a Drum Circle workshop with Ammaya Dance and Drum. Come prepared to participate and drum. For more information or to sign up, visit the link in our bio.

We're excited to be back at the MA 54th Regiment Memorial with Mass Humanities, Mass Cultural Council, Community Change, Inc., and Regie Gibson on Friday June 27th for the 16th annual public reading of "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?" Join us at 12pm on the Boston Common. Participating in the reading is optional but encouraged.

The Museum of African American History in Boston & Nantucket (MAAH), in collaboration with the Nantucket Cultural District, the Nantucket Chamber of Commerce, and the Nantucket Historical Association, will celebrate Juneteenth with free programs for visitors of all ages. On June 19th, beginning at 11 am, MAAH will host arts, crafts, games, and a free screening of the documentary “Nantuckets Historic Colored Cemetery: Stories told by Nantucketers,” which is free and open to the public. The museum will be open from 11 am-3 pm, and admission is free all day.   

Celebrate Juneteenth in Boston with MAAH and our partners! Join us for the second annual Juneteenth Open House at the MAAH Boston Site - FREE to all visitors. The museum opens at 10am and the festivities start at 12pm with the raising of the Juneteenth flag. Find YOUR joy at any age with face painting, a dance workshop, art activities, Black-owned vendors, DJ & dancing, a drum circle, Underground Railroad walking tours, story time, film screenings, and closing performances of poetry, dance, and music. Thank you to all our partners and vendors: Boston Ujima Project, Heritage Marketplace, Cornell Coley, Haus of Glitter, Milly & Me Entertainment, DJ Cruz, National Park Service, and Boston Public Quartet.

Join us at the historic African Meeting House for And Freedom’s Reign, an immersive event honoring the words, legacy, and spirit of Frederick Douglass. Experience the Museum’s *NEW* AI-powered hologram of Douglass in an interactive pre-event, followed by an activity and a special performance by students from Project STEP.

Join the Museum of African American History for our first Boston Family Day event in May. On Sunday, June 1st, from 1 to 2 p.m., we will hold a Drum Circle workshop with Ammaya Dance and Drum. Come prepared to participate and drum.

Join National Geographic Explorer in Residence Tara Roberts for an extraordinary evening as she shares the powerful journey behind her memoir, Written in the Waters: A Memoir of History, Home, and Belonging. Roberts dives into the depths of history, identity, and belonging. As the first Black female explorer to grace the cover of National Geographic and the 2022 Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year, Tara’s work brings history to the surface—both literally and figuratively. Through deeply personal storytelling and historical reflection, she invites audiences to consider the resilience of the human spirit, the significance of remembrance, and the power of discovery. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear Tara’s inspiring story firsthand. Doors will open at 5:30 pm for a brief reception. The program will begin promptly at 6 pm

Join the Museum of African American History and SISJBTC, “Sojourner Truth, Sewing the Seeds of Justice: Honoring the Legacy of Truth and Peace with the Needle.” This “make your own block” quilt workshop and trunk show will include making two blocks, one to keep and one for the collaborative quilt created in honor of Sojourner Truth. This event is free to the public with a suggested donation of $20 to support the preservation of our history. To reserve tickets, click the link in our bio or visit our website, maah.org/events.

Join the Museum of African American History, in collaboration with the Front Porch Arts collective and Central Square Theatre, for a special pop-up reading of Her Portmanteau. A Q&A with the actors will follow the reading.

Join the Museum of African American History on Sunday, April 13th, from 1-2 pm for an hour of fantastic storytelling from Rhode Island Black Storytellers as part of our Boston Family Day programming. Rooted in African Culture, Storytelling is a long-held tradition and art form that helps explain and tell past generations’ stories. We are excited to bring this tradition and art to our historic space and share it with all of you. To register, click the link in our bio or go to www.maah.org/events.

Join the Museum of African American History for a Workshop on Haitian Folkloric Dance as part of our Boston Family Day Programming. We invite everyone to join us as Jean Appolon Expressions leads a workshop for all levels. This workshop is grounded in building community and the belief that we can all dance and learn about ourselves and one another when we dance together.

Join us at the Museum of African American History for the Writing Boston's Future Colloquium. This event is the culmination of this year's cohort's hard work and the debut of the digital stories. We hope to see you there as we appreciate and celebrate the accomplishments of these hardworking students.

Join us as the Museum of African American History hosts the AP African American Studies Expo. On February 28th, from 10 am-2 pm, the expo will feature the new course book in collaboration with Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishers, and College Board. With words from the author, student exhibitions, presentations, and more. This event is free and open to the public.

Join the Museum of African American History on February 9th for an All Levels Yoga Class. Whether you are just starting or more advanced, join us for a relaxing class taught by Shelia Thorne.

Join the Museum of African American History in partnership with the Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce, Town of Nantucket Dept. of Culture & Tourism and Nantucket Book Partners. For a Black History Month Celebration. We're thrilled to host an amazing program featuring keynote speaker, author, professor and historian, Dr. Tiya Miles. Miles will give a talk on the mother of the Underground Railroad, Harriet Tubman, in the historic space. A Q & A, book sale and signing will follow. Enjoy an impactful afternoon of celebration and reflection. We look foreword to seeing everyone there, for more information please visit maah.org/events

Join the Museum of African American History during BPS Spring Break for an All Levels Yoga Class. Whether you are just starting or more advanced, join us for a relaxing class taught by Shelia Thorne

Join us at the Museum of African American History for a fireside chat between Boston Council President Ruthzee Louijeune and Dr. Noelle Trent, the museum's president. The format will feature an intimate conversation followed by a lunch reception, creating space for meaningful community dialogue. This discussion will explore Black Heritage Trail signage updates and revitalization, the historical significance of Boston's Black community on the hill, and Community preservation initiatives and plans.

Join the Museum of African American History in the Susan Paul Room for a Black History Month Story Time. Get ready to sing, laugh, and clap along as we celebrate Black History Month

Join the Museum of African American History in the Susan Paul Room for a Black History Month Story Time. Get ready to sing, laugh, and clap along as we celebrate Black History Month

The MA250 Lunch & Learn program provides an opportunity to hear from the experts and embrace Massachusetts commemorations, celebrations, and events. Join Dr. Noelle N. Trent, President and CEO of the Museum of African American History | Boston & Nantucket, who combines her passion for history with professional expertise to craft empowering experiences about Black history.

Join the Museum of African American History at the West End Branch of the Boston Public Library for a Black History Month Story Time. Get ready to sing, laugh, and clap along as we celebrate Black History Month.

Join the Museum of African American History on February 2nd from 1-2 pm for the launch of our programming for Boston Family Day. We will have a reenactment with the 54th Mass Regiment along with the public launch of “Being Frederick Douglass.” A new interactive experience using Artificial Intelligence that allows visitors to interact and ask an AI Frederick Douglass questions on the historical figures' life and involvement within the abolitionist movement. We look forward to seeing you there as we kick off our events for this exciting program.

Join us on January 20th, 2025, at 1 pm at the Strand Theatre for our annual celebration in honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This performance, put on by BYSO and The Museum of African American History, will feature an array of classical music, spirituals, and freedom songs played by the young musicians from our Intensive Community Program alongside remarks, readings, and spoken word recitations from distinguished leaders on the power and promise of the civil rights hero.

Join the Museum of African American History for the 200th Anniversary of commemorating the African Meeting House in Nantucket. This event is free and open to the public; limited seating is available. We hope to see you there for this special celebration.