Beacon Hill Circle Tours

In 1963 a group of dedicated and concerned women living on Beacon Hill wanted to raise funds for the many charitable organizations working to improve the lives of women and children in Greater Boston. So, they put their heads together, formed the non-profit Beacon Hill Circle for Charity, and came up with a plan to generate those funds by narrating two-hour walking tours to groups visiting the city. First, Circle members had to learn how to give tours. Several members did extensive research into the neighborhood’s history and wrote booklets for others to follow. They held practices before each other.

When they were ready, they got the word out to tour brokers, event planners and leaders of professional, cultural, educational and charitable groups. Soon enough they were leading groups along the neighborhood’s brick sidewalks, lit only by gas lamps, shaded by leafy trees and bordered by stately 19th century brick townhouses. Along the way they talked about the history and architectural styles of those homes and told stories about past and present residents, old and new lifestyles in the 19th century neighborhood with 21st century living.