ABOLITION ACRE: “Reclaiming” Boston History Too Long Ignored

There is now an opportunity for Boston history  too long ignored to be told.  “The Beacon Hill Scholars are a diverse group of individuals who seek to research, preserve, and interpret the history associated with the free African Community that once thrived on Beacon Hill in the early 19th Century.

Part of the reason why that story has been ignored is rooted in the racist assumptions which too frequently labelled that north slope community “nigger hill”. It was perceived as a portion of the city where most of the residents were servants for white folks on the south slope.  With this “mind-set” approach to the north slope, it is no surprise that it has received little serious historic attention. Now comes a time for  a generation of Beacon Hill Scholars to reclaim that north slope history.

With the advent of Abolition Acre, there is an opportunity to tell the historic truth of that north slope community.  The theme of Abolition Acre, while it does not focus on the north slope brings a new “moment” to tell how it shaped Boston and national history:

Abolition Acre features three abolitionists, two black, one white:    Maria Stewart, early black public lecturer,  paving the way for new roles for women, demanding new rights. David Walker, black prophet … ” we are not BRUTES, but Men”.    Garrison, white editor of the Liberator, leader of abolition.

It features the “defiance” by which the north slope community violated the “Fugitive” Slave Act.

It features how the Boston Female Anti-Slavery Society, black/white supported Garrison, and converted public leaders to anti-slavery.

NOW is the “moment”, Scholars and friends, to reclaim true history