The Back Bay, originally a mudflat, was filled in with gravel brought from suburban Needham by train between 1852 and 1890. The land is flat, with streets laid out in a straight grid. The cross streets are conveniently named alphabetically from A to H. This elegant neighborhood includes … [Read more...] about Back Bay East
Take a Walk Through Centuries of Women’s History
The Boston Women’s Heritage Trail (BWHT) offers Self-Guided Tours in areas of Boston where women from a wide variety of settings, occupations, and backgrounds made history. These tours were developed by BWHT board members to fulfill our mission to restore women to their rightful place in the history of Boston and in student curriculum.
BWHT has also sponsored the development of six Student-Designed Tours, mini-trails in Boston neighborhoods blazed by teachers and students in the Boston Public Schools and a city charter school.
Board members and associates enjoy leading Private Tours for groups of up to 20 for a nominal fee and as schedules permit. Use the Contact Us form for more information.
Tours
Back Bay West
The Back Bay West Walk starts at Copley Square and ends at the Boston Women's Memorial. Focusing on women of the mid-nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the sites demonstrate the high energy devoted by women to the arts and education, pointing out educational institutions, clubs, and art … [Read more...] about Back Bay West
Beacon Hill
The Beacon Hill Walk begins at the Massachusetts State House with the statues of two seventeenth century women religious dissenters. The walk continues up, down, and across Beacon Hill, often paralleling the Black Heritage Trail. Starting with intense activity in the period before and after the … [Read more...] about Beacon Hill
Charlestown
This walk was developed by fifth graders at the Harvard/Kent Elementary School in Charlestown in 2017. Site 1: Charlestown Navy Yard Rosie the Riveter is a salute to the thousands of women who worked at jobs vacated by men who were fighting in World War II. Rear Admiral Grace … [Read more...] about Charlestown
Chinatown/South Cove
The Chinatown/South Cove Walk starts at the Visitor Center on Boston Common, winds through Chinatown, and ends at Park Square. It presents a wide range of women's activities and organizations working for social change and economic justice. The focus is on immigrant groups, most recently Chinese. The … [Read more...] about Chinatown/South Cove
Dorchester
Upham's Corner Walk The Upham's Corner Walking Trail was developed by a class of young women at the Codman Academy Charter School during a 10-week course on Dorchester Women's History. Each Saturday, the students met and learned about local women's history through field trips, interviews with … [Read more...] about Dorchester