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
Established in 1837 as the first public botanical garden in the United States.
Sculpture by Nancy Schön based on Robert McCloskey's classic picture book.
The Equestrian statue of George Washington by Thomas Ball was commissioned in 1859.
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.
The former home of anti-suffragist and the first woman to preside over a state electoral college, Elizabeth Putnam.
The former home of Kate Gannett Wells, a founding member of MAOFESW.
The former home of Mary Shreve Ames, president of the Massachusetts Anti-Suffrage Association.
First women's college club in the United States.
Historic, long avenue featuring a path through trees, grassy areas, park benches, and statues
Home to the Museum of Natural History from 1864-1951.
Popular street home to shopping, dining, and many luxury brands.
This iconic public square was built to be the cultural centre of Boston.
Built in 1877 and considered by members of the American Association of Architects as one of this country's top 10 buildings.
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.
Founded in 1848, now the third-largest public library in the United States
The finish line of the iconic Boston Marathon
The location of the Kensington Building (demolished 1967), which housed the offices of the Massachusetts Association Opposed to Further Extension of Suffrage to Women.
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.
Labelled enemy country by Boston Suffragists, this street was the starting location for the 1915 Suffrage Victory Parade.
The former home of Blanche Ames, a pro-suffrage cartoonist and early advocate for birth control
The former home of Julia Ward Howe.
Historic House Museum with preserved interior from 1859.
Where we'll meet
🧭 Meeting/pick-up point: 1 P Charles St, Boston, MA 02108, USA
🗺️ Instructions: 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.
Things to know
Accessibility:
Pregnancy friendly
Wheelchair accessible
Pram accessible
Infant friendly
Children friendly
Service animal/dog friendly
Fitness requirement
Any fitness level
Tour Language
English
License requirement
None
Additional information:
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
Inclusion ✅
Tour guide
Exclusion ❌
Entrance ticket
Gratuities
About your host
Hub Town ToursIn 2016, we joined the bustling tourism market in Boston with one goal: to provide the most fulfilling history tour experience of this fantastic American city. In essence, we want to leave you wondering why your history classes were never quite so captivating! Now entering our seventh full season, we are proud to have served thousands of wonderful guests, earning hundreds of five-star reviews across travel industry platforms.
For every trip booked, Kodama Travel donates £1 to Just One Tree to restore our forests and the ocean.