Boston’s “Freedom’s Trial” Tour Focuses on 19th Century African American Community

July 1, 2008 at 8:00 am (Events, Travel)
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I’m a little bit late reporting on this one due to a vacation absence but if you are going to be in Boston for the Fourth of July festivities, the African American National Historic Site [(617) 742-5415] is holding three 90 minute walking tours of significant black historical sites in Boston.  The tour begins at Faneuil Hall and through downtown Boston and Beacon Hill.  Topics include “…education, suffrage, and religious worship.  Stops include the site of abolitionist Prince Hall’s Freemason lodge for blacks and the spot where William Lloyd Garrison gave a resounding anti-slavery speech.” 

There are only two times remaining for this specialized tour (the third was June 30th):  July 2nd and July 4th.  Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 617-742-5415.  Both tours start at 11a.m.  They are led by Horace Seldon who taught for 26 years at Boston College on the history of racism in the United States. 

link:  http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/06/29/walking_tour_eyes_black_struggle/

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Black Historical Society of San Diego has New Building

June 25, 2008 at 7:12 pm (museums, Travel)
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The San Diego Union Tribune reports on the opening of a new museum and genealogical research center in downtown San Diego, known as the “Harlem of the West” in its heyday.  Here’s the story by Jeanette Steele, staff writer: 

DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO – The Black Historical Society of San Diego, founded more than a decade ago to fight the demolition of important properties, now has its own place downtown.

Today, the group will dedicate a museum, genealogical research center and gift shop in downtown’s East Village. The venue opens to the public on Saturday.

It’s located in the heart of a once-thriving black business district, with residential hotels, stores and clubs that featured major musical acts such as Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington in the 1930s to 1950s. Some called it the “Harlem of the West” in its heyday.

The area, along Market Street between the Gaslamp Quarter and Barrio Logan, later fell on hard times and is now gentrifying into a neighborhood of high-rise condominiums.

The museum will offer a permanent exhibit on the history of African-Americans in San Diego, with photos of black merchants, families and social life since the late 1880s, including artifacts such as war medals, clothing and dishes. The museum plans to host traveling exhibits, with the first starting in August.

Museum of San Diego
African American History Where: 740 Market St., in downtown San Diego

Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, starting Saturday

General admission: $5. For genealogical research only, there’s a suggested donation of $3

Info: blackhistoricalsociety.org or (619) 232-1480

To read the full article, click on this link:

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20080625-9999-1m25history.html

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