MPA Marks 250th Anniversary with Historic Boston Tour

On Tuesday, May 19, MPA visited Museum of African American History in Boston to celebrate the 250th anniversary and honor the pivotal role Bostonians played in the Abolitionist movement.

The tour began in the African Meeting House, which is recognized as the oldest Black Church in the United States. Students learned about the importance of the space, stood in the spaces Frederick Douglass and William Lloyd Garrison spoke. 

They then visited the Abiel Smith School, the first building established for education equality for Black students. Students learned about the need and establishment of discrimination-free places to meet, worship and receive education. There they explored the art, history and words of influential figures in history in the current exhibit: “Black Voices of the Revolution: Liberty, Emancipation, and the Struggle for Independence.”

At Saint-Gauden’s “Shaw Memorial,” students stood in the same spot the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment of Black volunteer Union soldiers departed from in 1863. They discussed the importance representation in public art and considered courage of the souls who fought for freedom and equality for all. Saint-Gaudens spent 14 years completing the sculpture, art initiated by and fought for by Boston Abolitionist leaders. Col Shaw’s father, voiced support for this inclusive monument, “the monument, though originated for my son, ought to bear, with his, the names of his brave officers and men, who fell and were buried with him.” 

It was a beautiful, hot day reflecting on the importance of preserving Boston’s historic spaces where a diverse group of men and women worked together to influence the moral climate of the nation and helped shape American history.