Photo © National Park Service

Lewis and Harriet Hayden House

Description

The Lewis and Harriet Hayden House in Boston was a key stop on the Underground Railroad. Lewis Hayden, an African-American abolitionist and former slave, used the home to shelter those escaping slavery, including Ellen and William Craft. Both Haydens played significant roles in the abolitionist movement, with Lewis assisting in rescues like that of Shadrach Minkins and supporting John Brown's Harper's Ferry raid. Harriet, upon her death, left a scholarship fund for Black students at Harvard Medical School.

Constructed, 1830

Moved, 1850

The Haydens moved into the house. Hayden owned and ran a clothing store on Cambridge Street.

Purchased, 1853

The house was purchased in 1853 by Francis Jackson of the anti-slavery Vigilance Committee. The African American Museum hypothesized that this may have been done so that Hayden would not be harassed in his Underground Railroad activities.

Map View

Lewis and Harriet Hayden House, 66 Phillips St, Boston, MA 02114, USA

Nearby

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