Events

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.

Join us at Trinity Church on December 31st for our annual celebration of Lincoln's passing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Enjoy performances by Regie Gibson, the H+H Orchestra, and Chrous. Conducted by Anthony Trecek-King

Join MAAH as we honor Dr. Jean McGuire, pioneering civil rights leader and advocate for education equity; Dr. Thea James, distinguished advocate for healthcare equity; and Michael L. Bivins, an ambassador of the community. The Living Legends Award recognizes outstanding lifetime accomplishments to civil and human rights locally and nationally. It continues a tradition established by the African Meeting House when they honored stalwart visionaries including Frederick Douglass and William Lloyd Garrison.

Come join us in the sanctuary space for some silent reflection space and music during our open hours from Wednesday, November 6th-Saturday, November 9th, 10am-4pm. We invite you to reflect on your feelings in a safe space.

Join us on Thursday, October 10 at the Museum of African American History in Boston for the 2024 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 to learn more about this year’s winning authors: Victor Luckerson, Barbara D. Savage, and Chad L. Williams. The first 100 people to arrive will receive a free signed copy of one of the winning books!

Join us to celebrate the release of Being Black in America’s Schools by author Brian Fuller! Being Black in America’s Schools: A Student-Educator-Reformer's Call for Change is a modern twist on the classic 1933 book The Miseducation of the Negro by Carter G. Woodson, offering a stark yet humanizing portrayal of how our public education system consistently damages children of color. Most importantly, the book presents present-day solutions and a hopeful way forward through identity-affirming and liberatory education. [Free giveaways will be provided to the first 10 guests who arrive, and book signing will occur at the event's end.] Don't miss out on this opportunity to connect with fellow book lovers and be part of this special event. Save the date!

Join us for the 2nd Annual Juneteenth Block Party! 10am-11am Tour of the Historic Coloured Cemetery; 11am-12pm Screening of Jubilee, Juneteenth, and the Thirteenth; 12pm-1pmTour of the Historic Coloured Cemetery; 1pm-4pm Block Party with food, music and games for the whole family

Join us for DAY 2 of free, fun, family friendly activities in Boston. 11am–12pm Black Heritage Trail Tour with National Park Service Rangers. 11:30am–2:30pm Face painting and balloon twisting with Milly & Me. 12-4pm Italian Ice by Slushy Lady Boston. 12:30–1:30pm Special History Talk on the African Meeting House. 3-4pm Drum Circle with Cornell Coley. 6:30-7:30 Musical Performance by City Strings.

Join us for DAY 1 of free, fun, family friendly activities in Boston. 10–11am: Special Juneteenth Museum Tour. 11am–12pm Screening of Jubilee, Juneteenth, and the Thirteenth. 11am–2pm Face painting with ZNT Arts. 12–1pm “Juneteenth for Mazie” Story Hour. 12-4pm Italian Ice by Slushy Lady Boston.1-4pm Music and Dancing with DJ Cruz

Join us at the We Refuse Book Release Party and Conversation to celebrate Kellie Carter Jackson’s new book with Dr. Kerri Greenidge! "We Refuse: A Forceful History of Black Resistance" explores the myriad of ways that Black people—particularly Black women—have pursued free and full lives by refusing white dominion over their mind, body, and soul. This celebration will take place in iconic African Meeting House. Free giveaways will be provided to the first 50 guests who arrive, and book signing will take place at the conclusion of the event. Don't miss out on this opportunity to connect with fellow book lovers and be part of this special event. Save the date! #WeRefuse

Museums serve as trusted spaces of memory and education. They are also critical to discussions around the history and legacy of slavery and racial injustice and how we might imagine a more just world. Join us for a conversation with Kyera Singleton, Director of the Royale House and Slave Quarters, and Christian Walkes, Director of Education at the Museum of African American History hosted at the African Meeting House in Boston. We will explore the intersection of collective memory and museums, delving into the profound role and responsibility of being stewards of historic sites. In this thought-provoking dialogue, we will navigate the intricate dynamics of preserving and presenting history to diverse audiences and discuss the critical role of these spaces.

How can we empower youth to critically engage with the past, present, and future of social justice movements at a time when educators are being unfairly targeted? What can we learn from past educators, especially Black women, who built a tradition of educational activism? Join educators and historians Kabria Baumgartner and Kellie Carter Jackson at the historic African Meeting House in Boston for a conversation about creating meaningful, inclusive, and transformative spaces for teaching and learning.

In the new GBH News podcast, What is Owed?, we learn about those who have been gathering the bits of history in an effort to piece together the bigger picture of slavery and enslaved peoples' lives in America. Join us in the Meeting House of the Museum of African American History in Boston to hear more and discuss the missing legacy, the underfunding of Black historic museums, and the challenges of preserving what is known about early Black culture in America. GBH News reporter Saraya Wintersmith will talk about the podcast and moderate a discussion with MAAH's President and CEO, Dr. Noelle Trent and other panelists, visiting the intersection of reparations and the needs of organizations striving to complete America's historic records. Join us for a reception and panel discussion at the MAAH meeting house on Beacon Hill. There are pages missing in the story of American history. The lives and experiences of enslaved people brought to North American shores were irregularly documented in random assortments of lists, logs, photos, rosters and sales receipts distributed across the country.

Join the Museum of African American History Wednesday, March 6, at 6pm for a presentation of A Revolutionary Encounter in London, an hour-long one-act play by Debbie Wiess about the little-known meeting between two of Boston’s most historic Colonial icons, Phillis Wheatley and Benjamin Franklin. On May 8th, 1773, enslaved African American poet Phillis Wheatley departed Boston for London to oversee the final preparations for publishing her book of poetry, Poems of Various Subjects, Religious and Moral. During her six-week stay in the British capital, she met many notables, including American Founding Father Benjamin Franklin, who had been living in London for over 15 years advocating for Colonial interests before the Crown and Parliament. The play is an imagining of their meeting unfolding in real-time, 251 years after their famous encounter. The play, featuring local actors Cathryn Philippe and Josiah George, will be presented as a staged reading in the sanctuary of the African Meeting House on Smith Court off of Joy Street in Beacon Hill, Boston. It will be followed by a discussion and then a reception of light refreshments.

Join the Museum of African American History for a special presentation on Wake Up America: Black Women on the Future of Democracy, a new anthology that brings together the voices of major progressive Black women politicians, grassroots activists, and intellectuals who offer insights on how we can create a more equitable political future. Learn more about this project through a panel discussion featuring the book's editor, Dr. Keisha N. Blain, who will be joined by contributors Kim Janey and Renee Graham. Zenzile Riddick from Harvard’s Graduate School of Education will moderate the conversation. Be sure to stay until the end to meet the panelists for a book signing at the end of the event.

Join the Museum of African American History and Showcase Cinemas for the third screening of our Black History Month film series. Join us at Showcase Cinemas de Lux Legacy Place for a screening of Loving that will include a discussion led by MAAH Resident Historian Dr. Kerri Greenidge.

Join the Museum of African American History and Showcase Cinemas for the second screening of our Black History Month film series. We will be at Showcase Cinemas de Lux Randolph for a screening of Malcolm X that will include a discussion led by MAAH Resident Historian Dr. Kerri Greenidge.

Join the Museum of African American History and Showcase Cinemas for the first screening of our Black History Month film series. Join us at Showcase Cinemas de Lux Randolph for a screening of Harriet that will include a discussion led by MAAH Resident Historian Dr. Kellie Carter Jackson.

This tribute to Dr. King will feature classical and spiritual pieces performed by young musicians from BYSO’s Intensive Community Program alongside distinguished leaders who will evoke the power and the promise of the civil rights hero through remarks, readings, and spoken word. This program is made possible through collaboration with the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra

On Sunday December 10, the museum celebrates Boston’s African American history, and commemorates the long struggle for equality. This year we honor our 2023 Living Legends — Clayton H.W. Turnbull, Melissa M. MacDonnell, and Dr. Ruth J. Simmons. The Living Legends Award recognizes outstanding lifetime accomplishments to civil and human rights locally and nationally. The Living Legends Award continues a tradition established by the African Meeting House when they honored stalwart visionaries including Frederick Douglass, and William Lloyd Garrison. At the Gala you will enjoy gourmet cuisine, bid on exclusive live auction items, and mingle with Boston’s most prominent CEOs, diverse community leaders, and influencers.

Join the Museum of African American History and Pulitzer-prize-winning journalist, Dean Calbreath, on Thursday, October 26th from 6:00-7:00 p.m. for an engaging discussion on his new book The Sergeant. Learn about Nicolas Said, a young black man born in the African Kingdom of Borno, whose life takes a drastic change when he is kidnapped and sold into slavery. In a journey that would take him from across Africa, Asia, Europe, and eventually the United States, Nicolas Said would join the Massachusetts 54th regiment recruited in the African Meeting House. He would go on to continue fighting for equality, meeting figures such as Queen Victoria and Czar Nicholas I.

Join us on Thursday, October 19 for the 2023 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 to learn more about this year’s winning authors: Thulani Davis, Kerri K. Greenidge, and Claude Johnson. End the evening by receiving your free book (if you are one of the lucky 100) and our famous MAAH Stone Book Award cookies for everyone!

The Museum of African American History and the Beacon Hill Civic Association proudly presents “Let the Children Sing! A Tribute to Susan Paul” in the African Meeting House at the Museum of African American History on Beacon Hill. The program honors 19th-century educator and abolitionist Susan Paul who, in 1832, formed a juvenile choir that performed at anti-slavery meetings and held concerts to raise money for the cause. This jubilant concert celebrates Paul’s profound work and the legacy of this meaningful historic site where African American families worshipped, educated their children, debated issues of the day, organized politically, and changed the course of American history by advancing the cause of freedom. The concert features joyous music by Boston’s next generation of innovative artists through the celebration of music by youth enrichment groups City Strings, Hamilton-Garrett Youth Choir, and The Eastern Mass Children’s Choir, as well as remarks from civic and community leaders, including literary performer and educator Regie Gibson. Tickets are available for purchase on Eventbrite. We gratefully thank our program sponsors: Suffolk University, F.H. Perry Builder, Blackstone's of Beacon Hill, The Whaley/Ring Team: Coldwell Banker Realty, Florina Pizzeria/Paninoteca.

The National Parks of Boston, Mayor's Office of Arts & Culture, and Museum of African American History invite you to the Great Hall in Faneuil Hall on Sunday, September 24 from 3:00-4:30 p.m. for "BLACK in the cradle of liberty," a performance gathering that explores agency, resistance and the power of place. Curated by Boston Poet Laureate Porsha Olayiwola and narrated by Rei Fielder, the afternoon features music, dance and spoken word with an incredible lineup of Boston artists and creatives, including DJ WhySham, Nnenna Loveth, Crystal Valentine, Cakeswagg, Tim Hall, Ifé Franklin and Danny Rivera. A centerpiece of the event is Porsha Olayiwola's debut of “Still Speaking,” a newly commissioned poem performed with dancers Anastasia Wade, Javonna Corbin and Kenard Williams. The event is free and open to the public.

September 2023 marks the Semiquincentennial of the publication of Phillis Wheatley-Peters' Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral. This event seeks to highlight the legacy of Wheatley-Peters who made history here in Boston and globally. The event, Letters for Phillis, is inspired by the friendship between Phillis Wheatley and Obour Tanner, a Black woman enslaved in Rhode Island, and the letters they exchanged over the years. The event will feature several Black Woman poets reading their own work while engaging the work of Phillis Wheatley-Peters

Join us on June 19, 2023, to commemorate the Juneteenth Holiday at the African Meeting House in Nantucket. This event marks the opening of our Nantucket site for the summer months. During this community gathering, attendees will meet the Museum’s new President/CEO Dr. Noelle Trent as well as the Education and Interpretation Programs Department staff to learn more about the significance of the Juneteenth holiday and how the Museum of African American history upholds this legacy through our historic sites, exhibits, and collections.  

Gather for Juneteenth to honor those who endured slavery and seized freedom on Brattle Street before the American Revolution, their living descendants, and the long history of Black freedom activism in Cambridge and beyond. This event will feature a community gathering with music, poetry, art, speeches, and family activities, followed by a screening of the award-winning 2022 documentary Descendant. Presented in partnership with the Descendants of Tony and Cuba Vassall, History Cambridge, the Museum of African American History, Royall House and Slave Quarters, Slave Legacy History Coalition, Cambridge Black History Project, First Church Cambridge, Christ Church Cambridge, and Black Coral, Inc.