Located at: 150 Staniford Street, Suite 7, Boston, MA 02114

 

Exhibits and Programs

The museum features a variety of permanent and rotating exhibits that showcase the history, culture, and personal stories of the West End. Permanent exhibits often include:

• The Last Tenement: This exhibit focuses on the lives of the people who lived in the tenement buildings that once characterized the West End. It includes photographs, artifacts, and personal stories, providing a poignant look at the community that was lost.
• The Housing Displacement: This exhibit details the urban renewal process and its effects on the residents of the West End, using documents, photographs, and first-person narratives to tell the story of displacement and change.

Rotating exhibits often highlight different aspects of the neighborhood's history, such as immigration patterns, notable residents, and the social and cultural life of the West End.

In addition to exhibits, the West End Museum offers various programs, including lectures, film screenings, and panel discussions. These events aim to engage the public with the history of the neighborhood and foster a deeper understanding of the social and cultural dynamics that shaped the West End.

 

Community Involvement

The museum plays an active role in the local community, working to keep the memory of the old West End alive for former residents and their descendants, as well as educating new generations about the neighborhood's past. Through partnerships with local organizations, schools, and historians, the West End Museum ensures that the legacy of this once-vibrant community continues to be remembered and celebrated.

 

History of the West End

The West End has a storied past, characterized by its vibrant immigrant communities. Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, it was home to a diverse population, including Irish, Italian, Jewish, and Eastern European immigrants. This multicultural fabric created a lively and close-knit neighborhood known for its bustling streets, shops, and social clubs.

However, in the late 1950s, the West End underwent a dramatic change. In an effort to modernize the city, Boston's urban renewal program led to the demolition of much of the neighborhood. Thousands of residents were displaced, and the area was redeveloped into a new residential complex known as Charles River Park. This period marked a significant transformation in the history of the West End, leaving a lasting impact on the community and the city's urban landscape.

 

Visiting the Museum

The West End Museum is open to the public and charges an admission fee. It is a valuable resource for anyone looking to understand the impact of urban development on local communities and the importance of preserving cultural heritage.

 

For more information about current exhibits, events, and visiting hours, you can visit the museum's official website or call (617) 723-2125 or email info@thewestendmuseum.org