Supporting Boston’s Museum of African American History

Located in the heart of Beacon Hill, the Museum of African American History is a vital and historic part of Boston that serves as a powerful reminder of the rich and resilient history of Black Bostonians. For more than 60 years, the museum has stood as a tribute to the generations who fought to end slavery and those who continued the hard work of advancing equity and justice throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. It is filled with the legacies of leaders, educators, civil rights activists, and everyday people, who helped shape the Boston of today. For many Black Bostonians, it is a sacred and safe space; a place of reflection, education, and community, and a place of recognition in a City whose most common retellings of history don’t always include their stories.

Due to recent White House policies, the museum is facing the loss of nearly $500,000 in federal funding, a significant portion of the museum's budget, and an attempt to undermine the value of Black history and the essential role it plays in the American story.

The City Council voted on a resolution Wednesday in solidarity with the museum and pledged to assist and advocate for replacement funding. This vote, the sponsor noted, “reflects our shared belief in the importance of preserving this history and supporting those who safeguard it.”

The Museum of African American History offers programs like the upcoming Emancipation Proclamation celebration, which brings together friends, families, and communities to deepen their understanding of Boston’s shared history. These programs help ensure that Black history, which is American history, is preserved, honored, and passed on to future generations.