Welcome - The Robbins House

The Robbins House – Concord’s African American History

Welcome

VISIT THE ROBBINS HOUSE

Our site is a 544 sq. ft. historic early 19th century house formerly inhabited by the first generation of descendants of formerly enslaved African American Revolutionary War veteran Caesar Robbins, and by fugitive slave Jack Garrison.

Visit the House

LEARN THE HISTORY

The stories of the occupants of The Robbins House reveal the ways in which this first generation of free Concord African Americans pursued independence and contributed to the antislavery movement.

Learn the History

TAKE A WALKING TOUR

We created a map of African American and antislavery history in Concord, MA.

Download the map and take a walking tour of the African American and Antislavery history sites in Concord.

Take A Tour

News and Events

Reading Frederick Douglass Together

Join us for a conversation about independence on July 4th. Visitors can take part in a communal reading of Frederick Douglass’s speech, with costumed readers voicing different eras of African American civil rights activism. A moderated discussion will follow.

Celebrate Juneteenth at the Robbins House

Celebrate Juneteenth at the Robbins House Saturday, June 15 th • 12:30-2:00 pm • The Robbins House. All ages are welcome to join us at the Robbins House for a celebration of the African American holiday, Juneteenth (a combination of the words June + nineteenth, and the oldest known celebration of the end of slavery in the US).

Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North

Sunday, April 7th from 4-6pm • The Social Action Committee at TriCon Church (54 Walden St in Concord Center) will be hosting a community-wide screening of the one-hour PBS documentary Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North followed by a one-hour discussion facilitated by Dain and Constance Perry.

We Can’t Breathe: On Black Lives, White Lies and The Art of Survival

Sunday, March 10 • 3:00 - 4:00 pm • The Concord Bookshop • Jabari Asim presents "We Can't Breathe" • Insightful and searing essays that celebrate the vibrancy and strength of black history and culture in America.

Say Her Name: The Life and Death of Sandra Bland

Saturday, March 9th • 1:00-4:30 pm • First Parish in Concord • Documentary Screening & Panel Discussion of this film about the life and death of wrongfully arrested activist Sandra Bland in Texas.

Activities in the House

Signing petitions sent by Concord children to President Lincoln in 1864 to “free all slave children” together with Lincoln’s response – old fashioned pens and ink are supplied so visitors…

Spotlight on… Black History Trails

Tracing the history of Massachusetts’ African American residents, from slavery to Black Lives Matter Tufts University professors and Robbins House Advisors Kendra Field and Kerri Greenidge have collaborated with students…

Concord Perspectives: The Garrison Men in Images and Objects

February 13, 2019 at the Concord Museum, Robbins House co-president Maria Madison moderated the Concord Museum's special look at Robbins House residents Jack and John Garrison, a father and son…

Concord Perspectives: The Garrison Men in Images and Objects

February 13, 2019 • 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM • Churchill and Janet Franklin Lyceum at the Rasmussen Education Center, Concord Museum • Free, please register

The Defamation Experiment

Wednesday, November 7, 2018 • 7-9 p.m. • Alcott Elementary School Auditorium • Part of Concord Carlisle Adult & Community Education’s “Can We Talk” Series • Tickets are limited, $30

Wright Tavern History Festival: A Celebration of Concord’s History and Culture

Saturday, October 13th, 2018 • 11 am- 3 pm • The Wright Tavern • Sponsored by the Concord Museum • Free

Spotlight On… Kenneth B. Morris, Jr. – Descended from both Frederick Douglass & Booker T. Washington

Monday, September 17th • Part of The Walden Woods Project Stewardship Lectures • Co-sponsored by the Robbins House Frederick Douglass visited Concord numerous times between 1841-1844 (persuaded early on by…

News and Events

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