Abolition Acre

“Abolition Acre” was another brainchild of Horace’s. Horace was always looking for ways to raise the profile of the free African American community on the North Slope of Beacon Hill. During the 1830’s, several members of that community who were active on abolition and civil rights issues had businesses downtown in a three-block area in and around what is now City Hall Plaza. It was also home to the offices of the New England Anti-Slavery Society and the Boston Female Anti-Slavery Society. Horace dubbed this area “Abolition Acre” and he proposed a walking trail with markers at key sites. The focus would be on three leaders of the abolitionist movement in the 1830’s: two Black and largely unheralded, David Walker and Maria Stewart; and one white and relatively well-known, William Lloyd Garrison.

A group of folks have worked with Horace over the last three years to plan and implement the project, which may also include interactive educational resources. Unfortunately, Horace didn’t live to see this particular dream of his become reality. But the week after he died, several members of the Abolition Acre team – with the spirit of Horace most definitely present – had a very encouraging meeting at City Hall. They were told that the city does indeed want to get behind the project and help make it happen. Abolition Acre will be a wonderful part of Horace’s legacy.