Boston Athenaeum Shows Beacon Hill's Abolition Movement Through New Lens

Photo: Carl Stevens/WBZ NewsRadio

BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The story of the anti-slavery movement in Boston gets a new perspective on Beacon Hill.

The exhibition “Framing Freedom: The Harriet Hayden Albums” is now on display at the Boston Athenaeum. One house in particular on Beacon Hill was a pivotal player in the fight against slavery.

“Harriet Hayden and Lewis Hayden owned a home on Phillips Street in Beacon Hill here in Boston. They operated it as one of the most important Underground Railroad sites in the city,” said John Buchtel, head of special collections at the Boston Athenaeum.

The exhibition is centered on Harriet’s photographs, which feature portraits of many of the abolition movement leaders in Boston. It also features the only two known photographs of Hayden.

“It tells the story of the anti-slavery movement in Boston through two photograph albums that once belonged to her,” said Buchtel. “She was kind of one of the undersung heroes of the movement.”

The exhibition will be on display through June 22.

WBZ NewsRadio's Carl Stevens (@CarlWBZ) reports.

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