About this experience
Discover Boston beyond the revolution. WEM showcases the history of a neighborhood with a rich and storied past that was destroyed by urban renewal efforts between 1958 and 1962.
Experience how our the West End evolved from one of the country's earliest settlements of free Black people, to a diverse immigrant community, became a debris field, and transformed into the neighborhood you see today.
Deepen your understanding of Boston's urban history and cultural heritage at the only urban planning museum in the United States.
**LAST ADMISSION 30 MINS BEFORE CLOSE**
At a glance
- Duration: 45 min–1 hr 30 min
What is included
- Access to our permanent exhibition, special exhibition, and theatre.
Itinerary and highlights
The West End is one of Boston’s great economic engines and most overlooked residential neighborhoods, but what was the character of the West End when British guns roared from its shores towards Bunker Hill, or as it turned out miles of rope for Boston’s merchantmen? The history of the West End is a history of change, from 1700’s farmland to 1790’s elite enclave: from 1800’s Black American neighborhood to 1900’s immigrant mecca; and from 1960’s tragedy to today’s modern community. Few of the city’s neighborhoods have changed so much, and led Boston through so many challenges. Meet the characters, explore the places, and discover the stories of “the greatest neighborhood this side of Heaven.”
**LAST ADMISSION 30 MINS BEFORE CLOSE**
Languages and tickets
- Mobile Only
Tour operator
- The West End Museum
Accessibility and practical details
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Traveller reviews and photos
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