Reviews of Museum of African American History (Museum)

Andrea Rodriguez

Small museum but absolutely an awesome experience. William, our park ranger, gave a great lecture of the meeting hall and its significance. He is very passionate about history and it was great listening to him. Definitely recommend!

Anamika Usman

The meetinghouse was my favourite part! Very educational and worth a visit. The Frederick Douglas exhibit was informational but not as in depth to overall African American history as I had hoped. Also, the place is very hard to find if you're not looking for it.

Angelina Camacho

Should be more POCs working in the museum... otherwise it is a powerful experience

Mark Aloysius

We really enjoyed the tour!

James McDonough

Surprisingly small, and the content was disappointing, but the guide was fantastic and brought it to life.

Cristian Sandoval

Really interesting story, and amazing and knowledgeable guides. The whole story revolves around the church that has been used by Baptist African-Americans, and Jewish immigrants. If you want to enjoy the history of the town, and be open to learning something you didn’t know this is the place. If you’re looking for artifacts or a self-guided tour, you might be disappointed. The best way to enjoy the museum, is by asking the guides as they Extremely knowledgeable on the history of the African-American community and how it ties in to church.

Hari Sathi

(Translated by Google) Perfect guide! (Original) Perfect guide !

Elimu Kiongozi

Under construction. Showed no exhibits.

Lionel Fearon

In a prominent and noteworthy location, I was very impressed to learn more about the struggles we black people faced in the area, the difference we made and the significant impact on Afro American history. A worthwhile visit that I would highly recommend.

Percy Bennett

Small museum, but it plays a huge role into American History, not just African American. Had one amazing experience, learned a great deal

John Conely

Great experience, Great information & Great history . . . a little hard to find

August Guillory

Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and passionate about the history and relevance of the museum. Had a great time well worth an couple hours of your time

Teresa Strong

Our Alighieri Montessori school attended their program and it was amazing! We learned so much. Great staff!

Rohit Chitkara

Small but extremely interesting and powerful exhibitions. Well worth a visit

Eric Gurevitz

Super interesting and doesn't take a long time to see.

Marisha Ashanti

The Muesum lacked information and guidance. The third floor lighting wasn't on. It also lacked upkeep. The African Meeting House was great. The guide was great and informative. It had great acoustics too! It was interesting and had a great energy there.

Alisa Smith

The Frederick Douglass exhibit is well curated and informative. It is a small museum but worth the visit.

Brandi Hershey

I wish I could’ve seen this museum. There were street signs, and good reviews. There was a note on the door saying they were closing at 3:30pm and I was there at 3:00pm, it was locked. A member or owner not sure informed us there wasn’t really anything in there to offer to show us!! They didn’t have any exhibits until later in the month even though I could clearly see items through the window. He was in a rush because he had other obligations to set up for a meeting. I am from PA and was only in the area for the day... very disappointing representation of this establishment :(

G Aquino

The museum, housed in a well-maintained former schoolhouse, consists of two floors of special exhibitions on African American history. When we visited, the exhibitions are all dedicated to Frederick Douglass. It was great, especially after having previously visited his gravesite at Mount Hope Cemetery in Rochester. It's unusual though that they don't allow photos in those exhibitions, when most museums do. They offer a guided tour of the historic African Meeting House next door, which is included in the admission fee. Allot at least an hour for both the museum and guided tour. Interestingly, the two sites at this location (i.e, the schoolhouse called Abiel Smith School and the African Meeting House) are the only ones you can visit along the Black Heritage Trail. The other sites are all private property and off-limits to visitors, although you can take pictures from the outside.

Cortez Manning

Great place to vizit, very informative.

Ashley Gillingham

Make sure you plan a quick stop here! Important history, great tour of the African Meeting House.

Lourdes Zendejas

(Translated by Google) You can not miss this museum where you will learn a little more about the history of the struggle that African Americans have had for their rights, in addition to meeting one of the leaders who led this battle but with paper and pencil taking advantage of the help of sensitive inhabitants of that area of Boston. (Original) No puedes dejar de visitar este museo en el que conocerás un poco más de la historia de la lucha que han tenido los afroamericanos por sus derechos, además de conocer a uno de los líderes que encabezaron esta batalla pero con papel y lápiz aprovechando la ayuda de habitantes sensibles de esa zona de Boston.

Lashea Johnson

It's the go-to place to learn about Frederick Douglass - a few other key events but mainly, Frederick Douglass.

Sylvetta Harris

Great history on F Douglass and Underground Railroad!

Kera Street

We booked the community room in the Black History Museum for a brunch reception the day before our wedding. It proved the perfect backdrop to welcome family and friends to our weekend celebration, and to introduce our out-of-town guests to the rich history and culture of black Richmond. Heather Anderson and her team were incredibly accommodating and hospitable. She was a dream to work with throughout the planning process, and even served as a greeter, personally welcoming every attendee at the entrance of the museum. We were completely blown away by the warmth, kindness, and generosity shown to us by the staff during our reception, and we look forward to hosting our next event at this venue in the near future. It’s a true gem of Richmond, and a Virginian treasure!

Tanapat Treyanurak

Wonderful staff. Cute little museum with a lot of history. There was a school group there while I was visiting and I think they did a very good job with that school group.

Janet Long

Not a lot to see & I got more information from the NPS freedom walk.

Russell Spencer

This was a pleasant experience. It was kind of out of the way, up a hill, and I was confused getting there, but after that it was pleasant.

Rose Neff

It should be called the Frederick Douglass museum. They totally disregarded all other black folks in history. Shame! The African Meeting House and the Heritage Trail were the only reasons I didn't give a 1 star.

Melody Monteiro

Small but informative and engaging.

Laura Gustafson

Small museum with knowledgeable and friendly staff. I learned lots about the African Americans of Beacon Hill and enjoyed the historic setting of the museum (beautifully preserved historic school and meeting house). My only complaint is that the National Park service needs to fund this museum better. A great exhibit on the life and portraits of Frederick Douglass, but I was disappointed at the lack of actual portraits and other artifacts. The park service should procure more original works for its exhibits because it deserves it!

Bonnie Coutee

Great exhibits.

Nancy DeShannon

The architecture here is simply just beautiful and a beautiful part out history too. It was a very educational tour and went into great depth into African American history

Shantida Oakheart

Very knowledgeable staff/rangers (as usual). Moving and educational video. Excellent gift store. Cannot wait to bring my kid here later.

dale keim

Ecellant small collection of period artifacts. If you do not know the story and people of the Boston massacre you can get a good overview here. I recommend this place for both children an adults. Cost was about 12 dollars for adults and takes about 90 minutes

Jeanne Lacy

Very disappointing. I was expecting to hear a rich history of African Americans in the Boston area. Instead, the museum consists of photos of Frederick Douglas. Very few facts. And one floor was dedicated to the facts about the photographers of Mr. Douglas!

Awe Nanda

Best place to see historical things of America

Thomas Riedl

The guides can be great but the exhibitions are in bad shape

Danielle Luma

Loved it

Alexis Tosado

Great small museum can go through in a hour

William Baker

Difficult to find. Parking is difficult as well.

Quesi Jones

Very very informative!!!! A must visit!!!!!

Linsey Rose

The exhibit of Frederick Douglass' photographs is definitely worth the visit!

Marcelo Oliveira Aguiar

One of the best museums I've ever visited. Just be sure to wake up early and get a free ticket online to get in. Ticket distribution starts daily at 6:30.

Thaynan Victor

(Translated by Google) Too bad (Original) Muito ruim

Maria Carolina Ticona

Comfortable museum detailing the work and life of Frederick Douglas. Highly recommend the tour for unknown facts of the African American experience in Boston and the beginnings of Beacon Hill. Staff is very friendly and the gift shop has eye-catching curiosities.

Claire Millington

Fascinating and important museum of Boston and the US' political and social history. Good information and explanation provided by guides, and friendly and welcoming desk staff.

Lasheem Wilson

Beautiful.

Fredrick Thompson

I think every kid in Boston should come here and learn more about American history. this side of our history is never told and we should do better. thank god for museums like this one

Patricia Carpino

Excellent condition and great provider of historical resource.

Erica M

I want to give this musuem a 5star based on the merit of the rarity of a musuem being about African American and black history.... however this can barely be seen as a musuem. This musuem discusses the work of Frederick Douglass, but it holds a view of a white view point and is shaped in the way of educating on basic to that population instead moving forward the black culture and narrative. The tour of the African Meeting House was educational but they the speaker talked about the events was also in a way of the view point of white narratives and clearly memorized with no empathy or connection to the history felt. I hope they find a African American curator to change tone of the museum and expand more and deeper on the African American history in Boston and Massachusetts.

Erik Graham

Went on free admission day and enjoyed learning about the history of African Americans in Boston. The actual museum exhibit area is small, but the church next door has a guided tour which is very informative.

Lance Chicote

Unfortunately the museum was being renovated, but learning the history of the African American culture and its people was amazing. Make sure you do the tour before you check the museum.

Wendy Bat-Sarah

I didn’t hate this place, just couldn’t get in because the website is WRONG. They have a little sign at the bottom of the stairs saying they are CLOSED July 4 and 5.

Shyheim Blue

Omg I loved this place

Percy Holmes

My experience at the museum was delightful on many levels. The Frederick Douglass Exhibit was well laid out and very informative.

Ian Charold Herriott

Don't miss this. If you visit Beacon Hill, come here. Learn how historic currents of expanding freedoms swelled from this little neighborhood.

Darren Chin

Worth a visit. Great informative staff however lacks authentic artefacts

felicia davis

I felt the presence of Frederick Douglas In The Building.

Flavia Bustamante

(Translated by Google) Amazing experience !! (Original) Incrível experiência!!

Mike vick

Great place to learn about the tunnels ,trails and people . The history in the museum in the museum is mind boggling when you learn what the great black folks went through. My hereos...

Richardson Pierre-Louis

Very intriguing the life of one Frederick Douglas

Raymond Parizo, Jr.

My son and I visited the museum and were surprised to be subjected to the rude welcome by the staff. The employees seemed to be annoyed that we were there. As this was our first trip to this museum, we will try again, but first impressions are not so good.

Fernando Álvarez

Historical