Beacon Hill Museums
African Meeting House
46 Joy Street
617-725-0022, ext. 222
The Abiel Smith School and the African Meeting House are the highlights of this museum complex. The Smith School (1835) was Boston’s first school built for African-American children at public expense, and the 1806 African Meeting House is the oldest black church building in the nation.
Open 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, except Sundays
Nichols House Museum
55 Mt. Vernon Street
617-227-6993
This house museum was established by its last owner, Rose Standish Nichols, landscape architect and internationalist. Designed and built in 1804, the house has been attributed to Charles Bulfinch.
Wednesday-Sunday, year-round, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tours every half hour. Last tour at 4:30 PM
Otis House
141 Cambridge Street
617-994-5920
Built in 1796, this was the first of three houses designed by Charles Bulfinch for Benjamin Gray Otis, a prominent lawyer,
U.S. Congressman and mayor of Boston.
It is now headquarters for Historic New England.
Open 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
historicnewengland.org/historic-properties/homes/otis-house/
The Vilna Shul
18 Phillips Street
617-523-2324
The Vilna Shul is now a place of learning where Jewish history, culture, and spirituality are open and accessible to everyone.
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