Abiel Smith School

In 1815, White businessman Abiel Smith died and bequeathed $4,000 for the education of African American children in Boston. The school committee used interest from this money to fund the African School and they later used a portion of it to construct the Abiel Smith School. 

The Abiel Smith School, was Boston's first public school for African American students. The conditions in this school proved inferior to those of the White schools in the city and the Black community continued to fight for equal opportunities in education. Following efforts by Black activists like Prince Hall to improve education access, the school was established with funds bequeathed by Abiel Smith. Despite its opening, the school remained inferior to white schools, prompting leaders like William Cooper Nell to advocate for desegregation. In 1855, Massachusetts outlawed school segregation. The Smith School later became part of Boston's Museum of African American History, housing exhibits on Black education and civil rights.

Following the integration of the schools in 1855, the Abiel Smith School briefly closed then later reopened for a time as an integrated primary school. It also served as a city storage facility. From 1887 to 1941 it served as a Grand Army of the Republic chapter and following that the James E. Welch Post #56 of the American Legion.4 It now houses the Museum Store and exhibition galleries of the Museum of African American History.