Beacon Hill Tour: Exploring Civil War Boston Heritage
5.0
60 Ratings
Boston
Discover the rich history of Boston's role in the fight against slavery on a small-group walking tour of Beacon Hill. Explore Underground Railroad sites, elite homes, and abolitionist landmarks with a knowledgeable local guide.
Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • William Hickling Prescott House - Meet your guide at the William Hickling Prescott House overlooking Boston Common, located at 55 Beacon Street (02108) and steps from the Black Heritage Trail.
  • Boston Common - Oldest public land in the Americas and Boston’s communal grazing pasture (1634)
  • Acorn Street - Narrow cobblestone alleyways wind throughout historic Beacon Hill
  • Louisburg Square - Elegant neighborhood square from elite world of 19th-century “Boston Brahmins”
  • Phillips School - Built as a whites-only school in 1824, but among the first schools to integrate in Boston by 1855
  • John J Smith House - Home of leading abolitionist, state legislator, and former barber
  • Charles Street - Primary thoroughfare of Beacon Hill, lined with local shops and restaurants
  • Charles Street Meeting House - Historic meeting house (1807) and site of contentious debate over racial integration
  • John Coburn House - Home of African-American community activist and abolitionist
  • Lewis and Harriet Hayden House - Underground Railroad safe house owned by the Haydens, staunch abolitionists who were formerly enslaved
  • Otis House - 1796 residence of Harrison Gray Otis, Boston mayor and nephew of revolutionary James Otis, Jr.
  • Old West Church - Historic 1806 church designed by noted architect Asher Benjamin
  • Charles Sumner House - Home of outspoken abolitionist and U.S. Senator beaten unconscious in the Capitol over the issue of slavery in 1856.
  • Smith Court Residences - Homes of several African-American abolitionists, including historian William Cooper Nell
  • Abiel Smith School - Founded in 1835 as segregated school for Boston’s African-American children
  • African Meeting House - Cultural center of Boston’s African-American community and oldest extant black church building in the U.S. (1806)
  • George Middleton House - Oldest extant house in Beacon Hill (1787) was home to African-American Revolutionary War veteran
  • Massachusetts State House - Massachusetts state capitol and “Hub of the Solar System” (1798)
  • Robert Gould Shaw and the 54th Regiment Memorial - Our tour concludes beside the Robert Gould Shaw and the 54th Regiment Memorial opposite 24 Beacon Street.
What's Included
  • Small Groups (16 guests max)
  • Black Heritage Trail (All 10 landmarks)
  • Beacon Hill Neighborhood
What's Not Included
  • Guides in Period Costume
  • Admission inside Museums
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

The Black Heritage Trail in the historic region of Beacon Hill lends insight into Boston’s engagement in the agitation against institutionalized servitude. This walking route is ideally explored by foot, within a small group, guided by an informed resident! On a circular tour of 2.5 hours, you will start from Boston Common, venturing through the Underground Railroad locations, prestigious residences of ‘Boston Brahmins,’ and significant abolitionist landmarks like the African Meeting House.

Our compact exploration group delves deep into the turbulent period from 1833 to 1863, the countdown to the Civil War. We tread the paths frequented by the Bostonians of the 19th century, all who grappled with the U.S.’s ‘peculiar institution’ of racial slavery.

Utilizing a riveting narrative method, Hub Town Tours offers an ideal primer to Boston’s part in America’s ‘Second Revolution.’ As we cross the significant areas from the Civil War era in Boston, your guide will recount the engaging tale of local Bostonians finding their voice and demanding an end to unfairness across their emerging nation.

  • Not recommended for travelers who have difficulty standing for extended periods
Location
1 P Charles St
Charles Street
The tour gathers on Boston Common at the intersection of Beacon and Charles Streets. Please meet your guide at 1 Charles Street (02108), on the east side of the road, which is inside Boston Common and opposite Starbucks Coffee.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(60 Ratings)
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Lauriep1326
Mar 22, 2024
Beacon Hill/Black Heritage Trail Tour -- Not to be missed! - This was my family’s first trip to Boston. We received a recommendation for Hub Town Tours and were thrilled with the tours taken through them. Our guide, Dana, is a former National Park Service Ranger and history teacher who lived on Beacon Hill, and was involved in establishing the Black Heritage Trail. The last item provides a clue as to his deep love and passion for this part of our history, and both are evident from tour start to completion. Dana was delightful to spend time with and his ability to weave so many individuals and events together into a compelling and fascinating story was absolutely wonderful! We had no idea that iconic Beacon Hill was pivotal in the abolitionist movement, and Boston far ahead of the rest of the country in formally recognizing the words in the Preamble to the Declaration of Independence that “all men are created equal”. A tour not to be missed!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jameshf8068qi
Dec 8, 2023
Beacon Hill/Civil War era - We ended up being the only two people on the tour, other than a second tour guide who was learning this tour. Dana was a great tour guide - very knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and answered questions easily. We learned a lot and had a fun time. I would highly recommend this tour if you want to learn more about what life and the political climate were like in Civil War times, as well as how what happened there impacted the war. It's also a beautiful area in addition to being incredibly historic.
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P6659aymeganm
Oct 26, 2023
Do Both Tours! - We did both Hub Town Tours and thoroughly enjoyed them. Dana was our tour guide each time, and he is a wealth of information. The tours were kept small and well paced, with plenty of time for questions. Great way to learn the history of the area- would definitely recommend!
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Reviewnator
Oct 9, 2023
A tour rich in history. - Fun tour, rich in history story telling. Highly recommend it. We walk Downton Boston and enjoy the beautiful landmarks.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Wade_s
Sep 4, 2023
You "Will" be glad you did... - As a 70 year black male with degrees from two well known HBCUs, I can say that without a doubt, this tour guide (Will) provided one of the most intersting and informative experiences I have ever had on a "tour". I would especially encourage those of us who thought we might "know a thing or two" to spend a couple of hours with Will. I believe that like me, you will be glad you did.
Review provided by Viator
W8531dzalfredop
Aug 29, 2023
Great Civil War tour with the best guide - The most incredible history about American Civil War told by one of the best guide in the city. Personally, I did not know that Boston played such an important role in the upcoming of the Civil War. Plus, you get to walk one of the best part of Boston! Thank you Dave!
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Alfredo_p
Aug 29, 2023
Incredible Civil War tour with an incredible guide - Incredible story with an incredible history professor. I did not know the amazing story Boston citizens played in the upcoming of the Civil War and the end of slavery. Plus, you get to see more of a beutiful neighbourhood!!! I would recommend this tour to anyone that passes through Boston, or even someone that lives here... Thank you so much Dave for this experience
Review provided by Viator
D3147ctdanielm
Jul 31, 2023
He’s the Dana tour guide, guy! - The Beacon Hill tour was amazing! Our tour guide, Dana, was so passionate and knowledgeable! I will definitely be back to do another Beacon Hill tour, as long as he is the tour guide! What an experience learning about the abolitionists and how the civil war started, etc. I highly recommend this tour to everyone! Thank you so much for a great time 👍🏾
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Jennifer_b
Jul 30, 2023
Very informative & interesting! - Our tour guide, Will, did a fantastic job. He was knowledgeable, engaging and passionate about the subject matter. We truly enjoyed the tour and would highly recommend!
Review provided by Viator
G6926ixjillh
Jul 24, 2023
ABSOLUTELY worth it ! - Took the Freedom Trail tour on Friday (also AMAZING) and decided to follow up with the Beacon Hill Trail on Saturday. Tour guide was Dana and he was incredible. He obviously knew the history and told it with such enthusiasm and joy. He also explained the various behind the scenes story and answered any and all questions. Hub Tours in general are fantastic due to the small group size. We cannot recommend this tour more highly.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
May 2024
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