Beverly Morgan-Welch, Executive Director of the Museum of African American History led Cambridge At Home members on a special tour of the African Meeting House before it opens to the public. They are currently working on final touches and awaiting city inspection and final approval.
The African Meeting house is the oldest black church edifice still standing in the United States. The museum purchased the meeting house in 1972, however restorations were put on hold due to a lack of funding. The restoration project began again in 2006. Over the last several years, the African Meeting House has been fully restored to its 19th century stature. It was built in 1806 in what once was the heart of Boston's 19th century African American community. It was a place where the black community came together for concerts, education and sermons. It was also a place where abolitionists came together to plan assaults on slavery and protests were held in response to the Fugitive Slave Acts.
As Beverly Morgan-Welch recounted some of the many important gatherings that took place here, we sat in the newly restored pews and tried to imagine what this space may have felt like two hundred years ago. It was truly a special afternoon!
Cambridge At Home's events are planned by a committee of members who are generous enough to share their time and contacts with CAH. We are always trying to plan events that are unique, exciting and informative for our members. We encourage members to share their program ideas so that we can continue to create trips and events that are appealing to our community!