Huang Weize, Victor

Exploring America/Summer Semester

7/14/10

Blog 6

Black Heritage Hall

This Friday, we went to Black Heritage Hall which is full of ancient and a little bit mysterious ambience and atmosphere. I feel honorable to be offered an opportunity to introduce one important site on this trail-----John J. Smith House.

The owner of John J. Smith House was born free in Richmond, Virginia, on November 2, 1820. He moved to Boston at the age of twenty-eight. He firstly became a barber and set up a shop on the corner of Howard and Bulfinch Streets. His shop was a center for abolitionist activity and a rendezvous point for fugitive slaves. During the Civil War, Smith stationed himself in Washington, D.C., as a recruiting officer for the all-black 5th Cavalry. After the war, Smith was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1868, 1869 and 1872. In 1878, the year he moved to this house, he was appointed to the Boston Common Council. John J. Smith lived at 86 Pinckney Street until 1893. He died on November 4, 1906.

When I came to the John J. Smith House, I found out that it was covered by red bricks and tiles. Even though it has more than one hundred ages, it is still seemingly fresh and new which may be contributed by the paint. The stylof house is quite different with the local building. It resembles European establishment. There are also many trees that grow surrounding the building which make it have more sense of classicality and tradition.

Besides, I also went to other sites like George Middleton House, The Phillips School and Charles Street Meeting House and so on. In effect, there are totally fourteen sites, however, by the virtue of hot weather and absence of time, we drew to an end in advance. It was a great pity. I would go on this trail and finish the rest if I were offered such a chance in the future.