Boston: Votes for Women History Tour of Back Bay

5.0 (64 reviews) 2 h 30 min Free cancellation

out of 5

64 reviews

5.0

Explore Boston's Back Bay and hear untold stories of Lucy Stone and the women's suffrage movement — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Boston: Votes for Women History Tour of Back Bay, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

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, in a small group, with a local guide! Your 2.5-hour tour travels from Boston Common into historic Back Bay, visiting must-see landmarks such as the Public Garden, Newbury Street, and iconic Copley Square.

Our walking tour delves deeply into the years 1870 to 1920, tumultuous decades culminating in women earning the right to vote in the United States. Walk in the footsteps of prolific activists and financiers, visiting the political battleground for pro- and anti-suffrage groups.

With a captivating storytelling approach, Hub Town Tours provides the perfect introduction to Boston's role in the advancement of women’s rights. As we travel past key landmarks and historic homes, your guide shares captivating stories of the Bostonians who assembled the Women’s Suffrage Movement.

Cultural Tours Historical Tours Walking Tours Excellent Quality Short term availability Weather Dependent - Moderate

At a glance

Duration: 2 h 30 min
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 15 people
People per booking: 1–15
Guide: English
Operated by: Hub Town Tours

Ages: Adults (6–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Small Groups (15 guests max)
Included: Women's Rights Landmarks
Included: Back Bay Neighborhood

Not included

Not included: Gratuity for Guide (optional)
Not included: Admission inside Museums
Not included: Guides in Period Costume

Itinerary

Make Way for Ducklings Statues

10 min

Meet your guide inside the Boston Public Garden, in the northwest corner of the park opposite 67 Beacon Street (02108). Bronze sculptures by Nancy Schön, based on Robert McCloskey's classic children's book (1941), depict a mama duck proudly leading her band of ducklings.
George Washington Statue

Passing by

Iconic equestrian statue of George Washington (1859).
Boston Public Garden

15 min

First public botanical garden in the United States (1837).
Stop 4

Passing by

Site of school founded in 1887 by Pauline A. Shaw, financier of the women's suffrage movement in Boston and founder of Boston Equal Suffrage Association for Good Government.
Stop 5

5 min

Originally established in 1630, this church later became a center of the Transcendentalist movement.
Stop 6

Passing by

Home of Elizabeth Putnam, anti-suffragist and first woman to preside over a state electoral college.
Stop 7

5 min

Home of Julia Ward Howe, who authored "Battle Hymn of the Republic" (1861) and co-founded the American Woman Suffrage Association (1869).
Stop 8

Passing by

Home of Blanche Ames, pro-suffrage cartoonist and early advocate for birth control.
Stop 9

Passing by

Ames-Webster Mansion (1872) was centerpiece of the Ames family fortune and political involvement, including anti-suffragist Mary Shreve Ames and suffragist Blanche Ames.
Commonwealth Avenue Mall

15 min

Wide central boulevard with greenspace and statuary at the heart of Back Bay development plan.
Stop 11

Passing by

Home of Mary Shreve Ames, president of the Massachusetts Anti-Suffrage Association.
Stop 12

Passing by

First women's college club in the United States (1890).
Stop 13

10 min

Former site of Museum of Natural History (1864-1951).
Stop 14

Passing by

Former MIT chemistry lab, where Katherine McCormick protested against popular fashion as part of the suffrage movement.
Copley Square

15 min

Central public square designed to be the new cultural center of Boston (1883).
Trinity Church In The City Of Boston

Passing by

Iconic church (1877) recognized by American Association of Architects as one of the top 10 buildings in the United States.
Boston Public Library

10 min

Third-largest public library in the United States (1848).
Stop 18

Passing by

Formerly Chauncy Hall, office site of multiple pro-suffrage organizations including Massachusetts Woman Suffrage Association and The Women's Journal.
Stop 19

5 min

Finish line of the iconic Boston Marathon.
Stop 20

Passing by

Hotel Kensington (1884-1967) housed offices of the Massachusetts Association Opposed to Further Extension of Suffrage to Women.
Newbury Street

10 min

Popular Boston outdoor attraction lined with shopping, dining, and numerous luxury brands.
Stop 22

Passing by

Former Spiritualist Temple (1885), where women were allowed to lead public meetings.
Stop 23

10 min

Memorial honoring three famous Bostonians: Abigail Adams, Phillis Wheatley, and Lucy Stone.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

The tour gathers inside the Boston Public Garden—opposite 67 Beacon Street (02108)—beside the Make Way for Ducklings statues, which are located in the northeast corner of the park.

End point

The tour ends on the Commonwealth Avenue Mall beside the Boston Women's Memorial, approximately 0.8 miles from the tour start. The statues are in the center of Boston's Back Bay, a short walk from the Fenway neighborhood (west) and Downtown Boston (east).

Using your ticket

Please call/text your guide at 844-HUB-TOWN if you are having issues finding the tour

group!

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.
The operator may cancel if too few people book; you then get another date or your money back.

Good to know

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
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Not recommended for travelers that have trouble standing for extended periods of time.

Options

Back Bay – Small Group
Back Bay + Trinity & Gibson

Tour (2.5hr) + Church & Museum: Guided tour of Gibson House (Thu - Sun, 1PM-3PM, 45min) and self guided/audio tour of Trinity Church (Wed - Sat, 10AM-4:30PM)
Back Bay + Trinity Church

Tour (2.5hr) + Historic Church: Guided/Audio tour of Trinity Church, open Wednesday - Saturday, 10:00am - 4:30pm (valid for 7 days after tour date)
Back Bay + Gibson House

Tour (2.5 Hours) + 1 Museum: Guided tour of Gibson House Museum, open Thursday - Sunday, 1PM - 3PM (~45min, valid for 7 days after tour date)