The West End Museum
@westendmuseum.bsky.social
The West End Museum is dedicated to collecting, preserving, and sharing the history and culture of Boston’s West End Neighborhood.
https://linktr.ee/thewestendmuseum
https://linktr.ee/thewestendmuseum
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Explore Boston's West End neighborhood's past, present and future and learn to take an active role in your community at the West End Museum! See the link in our bio for information on upcoming events, exhibits, and volunteer opportunities.
This Valentine's Day, we are looking for West End love stories. Have you experienced romantic, platonic or other types of love in our neighborhood? Perhaps a crush that gave you butterflies? The one that got away? Please comment below or send us a DM!
c. Charles Frani Collection
#TheWestEndMuseum
c. Charles Frani Collection
#TheWestEndMuseum
February 9, 2026 at 5:02 PM
This Valentine's Day, we are looking for West End love stories. Have you experienced romantic, platonic or other types of love in our neighborhood? Perhaps a crush that gave you butterflies? The one that got away? Please comment below or send us a DM!
c. Charles Frani Collection
#TheWestEndMuseum
c. Charles Frani Collection
#TheWestEndMuseum
Boston is The City of Champions. The West End House and other organizations fostered this spirit in local youths by hosting a variety of sporting events and clubs where trophies like this were awarded to the victors from 1906 to 1962.
🏈Here's to hoping the Pats bring home another trophy tonight! 🏈
🏈Here's to hoping the Pats bring home another trophy tonight! 🏈
February 8, 2026 at 9:01 PM
Boston is The City of Champions. The West End House and other organizations fostered this spirit in local youths by hosting a variety of sporting events and clubs where trophies like this were awarded to the victors from 1906 to 1962.
🏈Here's to hoping the Pats bring home another trophy tonight! 🏈
🏈Here's to hoping the Pats bring home another trophy tonight! 🏈
Formerly enslaved Harriet (1816-1893) and Lewis' (1811-1889) home, 60 Phillips (Southac) Street, was a prominent stop on the Underground Railroad in the West End known as the "Temple of Refuge".
TODAY and TOMORROW The West End Museum is FREE as part of our Black History Month Centenary Celebration.
TODAY and TOMORROW The West End Museum is FREE as part of our Black History Month Centenary Celebration.
February 7, 2026 at 12:02 PM
Formerly enslaved Harriet (1816-1893) and Lewis' (1811-1889) home, 60 Phillips (Southac) Street, was a prominent stop on the Underground Railroad in the West End known as the "Temple of Refuge".
TODAY and TOMORROW The West End Museum is FREE as part of our Black History Month Centenary Celebration.
TODAY and TOMORROW The West End Museum is FREE as part of our Black History Month Centenary Celebration.
Raised in a West End home which served as a refuge for those escaping enslavement, Eliza Gardner (1831-1922) spent her life fighting for abolitionism, women’s rights, and more. She helped transform Black women’s roles in churches and public culture and served as an inspiration to W.E.B. DuBois.
February 6, 2026 at 4:01 PM
Raised in a West End home which served as a refuge for those escaping enslavement, Eliza Gardner (1831-1922) spent her life fighting for abolitionism, women’s rights, and more. She helped transform Black women’s roles in churches and public culture and served as an inspiration to W.E.B. DuBois.
George Washington Forbes (1864-1927) was the first Black librarian to work in the Boston Public Library system. He began working at the West End Branch in 1896 when it first opened. He was an integral part of the West End’s Black and Jewish communities.
#blackhistorymonth #boston #thewestendmuseum
#blackhistorymonth #boston #thewestendmuseum
February 5, 2026 at 2:01 PM
George Washington Forbes (1864-1927) was the first Black librarian to work in the Boston Public Library system. He began working at the West End Branch in 1896 when it first opened. He was an integral part of the West End’s Black and Jewish communities.
#blackhistorymonth #boston #thewestendmuseum
#blackhistorymonth #boston #thewestendmuseum
Frenchy Johnson (1850-1883) came to the West End from Virginia in 1867 after being emancipated from enslavement. Here he developed a passion for rowing, becoming the fastest oarsmen in Boston and one of the founding members of the Cornucopia Boat Club, the first Black rowing club.
#blackhistorymonth
#blackhistorymonth
February 4, 2026 at 4:02 PM
Frenchy Johnson (1850-1883) came to the West End from Virginia in 1867 after being emancipated from enslavement. Here he developed a passion for rowing, becoming the fastest oarsmen in Boston and one of the founding members of the Cornucopia Boat Club, the first Black rowing club.
#blackhistorymonth
#blackhistorymonth
Rebecca Lee Crumpler (1831-1895) was the first Black woman to receive an M.D. degree. She briefly resided on Joy Street at the North Slope of Beacon Hill. She to Virginia in 1865 where she used her degree to help formerly enslaved people who lacked access to medical care.
#blackhistorymonth #boston
#blackhistorymonth #boston
February 3, 2026 at 9:01 PM
Rebecca Lee Crumpler (1831-1895) was the first Black woman to receive an M.D. degree. She briefly resided on Joy Street at the North Slope of Beacon Hill. She to Virginia in 1865 where she used her degree to help formerly enslaved people who lacked access to medical care.
#blackhistorymonth #boston
#blackhistorymonth #boston
William Cooper Nell (1816-1874) was the United States’ first Black historian, an intellectual, abolitionist, integral part of the Liberator’s staff, and advocate for Black rights. He was one of the many free Black individuals who called the West End home in the late 18th and early 19th century.
February 2, 2026 at 3:02 PM
William Cooper Nell (1816-1874) was the United States’ first Black historian, an intellectual, abolitionist, integral part of the Liberator’s staff, and advocate for Black rights. He was one of the many free Black individuals who called the West End home in the late 18th and early 19th century.
T-minus one week until trivia night at the Pennyweight Hotel! From art history to sports, questions will cover everything and anything Boston. See you there!
#trivianight #boston #thewestendmuseum
#trivianight #boston #thewestendmuseum
January 29, 2026 at 2:31 PM
T-minus one week until trivia night at the Pennyweight Hotel! From art history to sports, questions will cover everything and anything Boston. See you there!
#trivianight #boston #thewestendmuseum
#trivianight #boston #thewestendmuseum
Immigration is a key theme of the history we share at The West End Museum. See our special Exhibition Voyages of Hope: Immigrant Journeys to Boston before it closes February 14th.
Newly Arrived immigrants in Boston, 1895 (Boston Public Library)
#history #boston #thewestendmuseum #immigration
Newly Arrived immigrants in Boston, 1895 (Boston Public Library)
#history #boston #thewestendmuseum #immigration
January 28, 2026 at 4:04 PM
Immigration is a key theme of the history we share at The West End Museum. See our special Exhibition Voyages of Hope: Immigrant Journeys to Boston before it closes February 14th.
Newly Arrived immigrants in Boston, 1895 (Boston Public Library)
#history #boston #thewestendmuseum #immigration
Newly Arrived immigrants in Boston, 1895 (Boston Public Library)
#history #boston #thewestendmuseum #immigration
What should we read next in our book club?
Comment below if you have any titles or themes related to urban planning, engineering, infrastructure, or similar topics that you'd like to learn more about as part of The West End Museum's book club! #engineering #bookclub #history
Comment below if you have any titles or themes related to urban planning, engineering, infrastructure, or similar topics that you'd like to learn more about as part of The West End Museum's book club! #engineering #bookclub #history
January 27, 2026 at 7:03 PM
What should we read next in our book club?
Comment below if you have any titles or themes related to urban planning, engineering, infrastructure, or similar topics that you'd like to learn more about as part of The West End Museum's book club! #engineering #bookclub #history
Comment below if you have any titles or themes related to urban planning, engineering, infrastructure, or similar topics that you'd like to learn more about as part of The West End Museum's book club! #engineering #bookclub #history
Some Boston winter magic! ☃️
From the Charles Frani Collection, c.1966
From the Charles Frani Collection, c.1966
January 25, 2026 at 10:01 PM
Some Boston winter magic! ☃️
From the Charles Frani Collection, c.1966
From the Charles Frani Collection, c.1966
In 1933, West Ender Lili Shapiro spent her Saturday night making this vase at The Saturday Evening Girl's Club.
Founded in 1899 in Boston's North End, this club helped women, many of whom were immigrants, build community and skills like pottery. Want to learn more? Visit the West End Museum!
Founded in 1899 in Boston's North End, this club helped women, many of whom were immigrants, build community and skills like pottery. Want to learn more? Visit the West End Museum!
January 24, 2026 at 5:30 PM
In 1933, West Ender Lili Shapiro spent her Saturday night making this vase at The Saturday Evening Girl's Club.
Founded in 1899 in Boston's North End, this club helped women, many of whom were immigrants, build community and skills like pottery. Want to learn more? Visit the West End Museum!
Founded in 1899 in Boston's North End, this club helped women, many of whom were immigrants, build community and skills like pottery. Want to learn more? Visit the West End Museum!
The West End Museum will be FREE the weekend of February 7th and 8th in honor of the centenary of Black History Month!
Join us on Sunday, February 8th at 2pm for Afrimerican Academy's New Guinea Joy Tour of two centuries of Black history in Boston.
Click the link in our bio for more info.
Join us on Sunday, February 8th at 2pm for Afrimerican Academy's New Guinea Joy Tour of two centuries of Black history in Boston.
Click the link in our bio for more info.
January 23, 2026 at 2:30 PM
The West End Museum will be FREE the weekend of February 7th and 8th in honor of the centenary of Black History Month!
Join us on Sunday, February 8th at 2pm for Afrimerican Academy's New Guinea Joy Tour of two centuries of Black history in Boston.
Click the link in our bio for more info.
Join us on Sunday, February 8th at 2pm for Afrimerican Academy's New Guinea Joy Tour of two centuries of Black history in Boston.
Click the link in our bio for more info.
Trivia Night is fast approaching! This training question might give you a hint for what to expect on February 5th at the Pennyweight Hotel.
Hope to see you there!
Ticket link is in our bio.
Hope to see you there!
Ticket link is in our bio.
January 21, 2026 at 6:02 PM
Trivia Night is fast approaching! This training question might give you a hint for what to expect on February 5th at the Pennyweight Hotel.
Hope to see you there!
Ticket link is in our bio.
Hope to see you there!
Ticket link is in our bio.
From the Archives: A construction site near the Saltonstall building after a snow storm, January 1965.
Images from the Charles Frani Collection at the West End Musuem.
Images from the Charles Frani Collection at the West End Musuem.
January 20, 2026 at 5:30 PM
From the Archives: A construction site near the Saltonstall building after a snow storm, January 1965.
Images from the Charles Frani Collection at the West End Musuem.
Images from the Charles Frani Collection at the West End Musuem.
On this snowy Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we celebrate the civil rights icons who called the West End home.
Check out articles on our website on William Cooper Nell, Maria Stewart, Charles Sumner, Sarah C. Roberts, Harriet Bell and Lewis Hayden, and many more.
Check out articles on our website on William Cooper Nell, Maria Stewart, Charles Sumner, Sarah C. Roberts, Harriet Bell and Lewis Hayden, and many more.
January 19, 2026 at 7:03 PM
On this snowy Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we celebrate the civil rights icons who called the West End home.
Check out articles on our website on William Cooper Nell, Maria Stewart, Charles Sumner, Sarah C. Roberts, Harriet Bell and Lewis Hayden, and many more.
Check out articles on our website on William Cooper Nell, Maria Stewart, Charles Sumner, Sarah C. Roberts, Harriet Bell and Lewis Hayden, and many more.
The West End Museum's Little Free Library on Thoreau Path is now officially open! Take a book or share a book with your neighbors. The library is located under a wooden trellis near West End Place.
Thank you to Equity Residential and the McGrath Family for their generous support of this project!
Thank you to Equity Residential and the McGrath Family for their generous support of this project!
January 16, 2026 at 5:30 PM
The West End Museum's Little Free Library on Thoreau Path is now officially open! Take a book or share a book with your neighbors. The library is located under a wooden trellis near West End Place.
Thank you to Equity Residential and the McGrath Family for their generous support of this project!
Thank you to Equity Residential and the McGrath Family for their generous support of this project!
Boston Trivia Night at the Pennyweight Hotel is back! Enjoy good food and drinks while putting your heads together to answer questions and win prizes from the West End Museum.
Whether you know your Celtics stats or the MFA by heart, there's something for everyone!
Ticket link in our bio.
Whether you know your Celtics stats or the MFA by heart, there's something for everyone!
Ticket link in our bio.
January 15, 2026 at 4:02 PM
Boston Trivia Night at the Pennyweight Hotel is back! Enjoy good food and drinks while putting your heads together to answer questions and win prizes from the West End Museum.
Whether you know your Celtics stats or the MFA by heart, there's something for everyone!
Ticket link in our bio.
Whether you know your Celtics stats or the MFA by heart, there's something for everyone!
Ticket link in our bio.
Join us for our first book talk of the year! Learn how urban renewal affected one Lebanese-majority neighborhood in the mid-size Pennsylvania city of Easton. Explore urban displacement beyond the West End of Boston.
Tickets on our website or through the link in our bio.
Tickets on our website or through the link in our bio.
January 14, 2026 at 7:30 PM
Join us for our first book talk of the year! Learn how urban renewal affected one Lebanese-majority neighborhood in the mid-size Pennsylvania city of Easton. Explore urban displacement beyond the West End of Boston.
Tickets on our website or through the link in our bio.
Tickets on our website or through the link in our bio.
Visit the West End Museum this Saturday at 1 PM for a launch party for the Rudiyat Press. Chat with local authors Nikki Flionis and Frances McNamara, sip some wine, and purchase a few exciting mystery novels!
Tickets available through WEM's Linktree or on our website.
Tickets available through WEM's Linktree or on our website.
January 13, 2026 at 5:32 PM
Visit the West End Museum this Saturday at 1 PM for a launch party for the Rudiyat Press. Chat with local authors Nikki Flionis and Frances McNamara, sip some wine, and purchase a few exciting mystery novels!
Tickets available through WEM's Linktree or on our website.
Tickets available through WEM's Linktree or on our website.
This photo taken in 1958 shows a West End apartment staircase covered in snow. We hope that you're all staying warm through the Boston winter!
Photo from The West End Museum, Edgell collection.
Photo from The West End Museum, Edgell collection.
January 6, 2026 at 5:32 PM
This photo taken in 1958 shows a West End apartment staircase covered in snow. We hope that you're all staying warm through the Boston winter!
Photo from The West End Museum, Edgell collection.
Photo from The West End Museum, Edgell collection.
Happy 2026! This photo, taken 50 years ago by Charles Frani in 1976, shows the stage for Queen Elizabeth's visit to Boston outside of Faneuil Hall.
Image from The West End Museum, Charles Frani Collection.
Image from The West End Museum, Charles Frani Collection.
January 5, 2026 at 4:03 PM
Happy 2026! This photo, taken 50 years ago by Charles Frani in 1976, shows the stage for Queen Elizabeth's visit to Boston outside of Faneuil Hall.
Image from The West End Museum, Charles Frani Collection.
Image from The West End Museum, Charles Frani Collection.
Explore our newest special exhibit through January's book club! We'll read from Plotzk to Boston, exploring an immigrant story prominently featured in the exhibit. Visit the events page of our website for more information on this event.
January 2, 2026 at 4:02 PM
Explore our newest special exhibit through January's book club! We'll read from Plotzk to Boston, exploring an immigrant story prominently featured in the exhibit. Visit the events page of our website for more information on this event.
Wishing you a happy and prosperous 2026!
January 1, 2026 at 5:02 PM
Wishing you a happy and prosperous 2026!