Back Bay: Small Group Tour of Women's Rights Boston

📍 Boston, USA

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Back Bay: Small Group Tour of Women's Rights Boston

From

Duration2.5 hours

FitnessEasy

CancellationFree cancellation 24h before start time

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Overview

Boston's leading role in the American fight for women's suffrage is found on the tree-lined streets of its elegant Back Bay neighborhood. This masterpiece of Victorian-era architecture is best experienced on foot with a local guide! Our walking tour delves deeply into the years 1870 to 1920, tumultuous decades culminating in women earning the right to vote in the US. Walk in the footsteps of prolific activists and financiers, visiting the political battleground for pro- and anti-suffrage groups.

What you will be doing

Boston Public Garden

Established in 1837 as the first public botanical garden in the United States.

Make Way for Ducklings Statues

Sculpture by Nancy Schön based on Robert McCloskey's classic picture book.

George Washington Statue

The Equestrian statue of George Washington by Thomas Ball was commissioned in 1859.

Home of Pauline A. Shaw

The former home of Pauline A. Shaw, a financier of the women's suffrage movement in Boston and the founder of the Boston Equal Suffrage Association for Good Government.

Home of Elizabeth Putnam

The former home of anti-suffragist and the first woman to preside over a state electoral college, Elizabeth Putnam.

Home of Kate Gannett Wells

The former home of Kate Gannett Wells, a founding member of MAOFESW.

Home of Mary Shreve Ames

The former home of Mary Shreve Ames, president of the Massachusetts Anti-Suffrage Association.

College Club of Boston

First women's college club in the United States.

Commonwealth Avenue Mall

Historic, long avenue featuring a path through trees, grassy areas, park benches, and statues

Historic Museum of Natural History

Home to the Museum of Natural History from 1864-1951.

Newbury Street

Popular street home to shopping, dining, and many luxury brands.

Copley Square

This iconic public square was built to be the cultural centre of Boston.

Trinity Church

Built in 1877 and considered by members of the American Association of Architects as one of this country's top 10 buildings.

Chauncy Hall

This building, then known as Chauncy Hall, housed the offices of many pro-suffrage organisations including the Massachusetts Woman Suffrage Association and The Women's Journal.

Boston Public Library

Founded in 1848, now the third-largest public library in the United States

Boston Marathon Finish Line

The finish line of the iconic Boston Marathon

Site of the Kensington Building

The location of the Kensington Building (demolished 1967), which housed the offices of the Massachusetts Association Opposed to Further Extension of Suffrage to Women.

Boston Women's Memorial

Home of Abigail Williams May

The former home of Abigail Williams May, one of the first women appointed to the Massachusetts State Board of Education and cousin of Louisa May Alcott.

Beacon Street

Labelled enemy country by Boston Suffragists, this street was the starting location for the 1915 Suffrage Victory Parade.

Home of Blanche Ames

The former home of Blanche Ames, a pro-suffrage cartoonist and early advocate for birth control

Home of Julia Ward Howe

The former home of Julia Ward Howe.

Gibson House Museum

Historic House Museum with preserved interior from 1859.

Things to know

AccessibilityWheelchair and pram accessible | Children friendly | Service animal/dog friendly

Fitness levelEasy

Tour languageEnglish

Licence requiredNone

Not recommended for people with back problems, heart conditions or those have trouble standing for extended periods of time
Comfortable walking shoes are recommended
Tour will NOT enter any historic residences

Inclusions and Exclusions

✅ Included

Tour guide

❌ Not included

Entrance ticket
Gratuities

Where we'll meet

Meet up/Pick up location: 1 P Charles St, Boston, MA 02108, USA

Instruction: The tour gathers on Boston Common at the intersection of Beacon and Charles Streets. Please meet your guide at 1 Charles Street (02108), inside Boston Common and across the street from Starbucks Coffee.

ReturnThe tour ends at the northwest corner of the Public Garden at the intersection of Beacon and Arlington Streets. This tour is an approximate loop, and you will end a block away from the starting point.