Tours

The Ancestral Bridges Heritage Walking Tours are a unique collaboration between Ancestral Bridges and local partners to celebrate local Black and Afro-Indigenous history in Amherst, Massachusetts.

The walking tours explore the history and contributions of multiple generations of Black and Afro-Indigenous families in the town of Amherst. Curated by the families’ descendants, these immersive storytelling walks through Amherst begin with special exhibits at 29A Cottage Street that bring to life the town’s Black and Afro-Indigenous neighborhoods and communities from the mid-18th century and on.

Photo: Cara Bronstrom

Visit locations like West Cemetery where soldiers of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment and of the 5th Cavalry, who alerted Texas residents that the Civil War and slavery had ended, are buried.

Unearth stories like that of Henry Jackson, whose entrepreneurial contributions to early Black and Afro-Indigenous businesses in Amherst have long been overshadowed. Delve into the intersections of cultural exchange and exploitation, as seen in the remarkable tale of Angeline Palmer.

Explore pivotal moments such as Juneteenth, where soldiers like Charles Thompson and Christopher Thompson, with second-hand uniforms and arms, left Amherst in their pursuit of freedom.

Experience how the Westside Historic District and surrounding areas come alive with the Jazz Roots of Amherst and more!

Contact us at info@ancestral-bridges.org to learn more about our tours!

Photo: Cara Bronstrom

The following historic images are not in the public domain and are the property of Ancestral Bridges. Not for commercial use; all other users must request permission.

  • Roberts/Bateman family gathering at 223 Snell Street, Amherst. Circa late 1930s.

  • Arthur Roberts, Amherst. Circa 1930s.

  • Arthur and Virginia Roberts, Hazel Avenue, Amherst. Circa 1930s.

  • Bateman, Bias, Roberts, Robinski at 223 Snell Street, Amherst. Circa early 1930s

  • Amherst All Stars practicing on the Amherst College field. Circa early 1940s.

  • Ida Mae (Bateman) Roberts and son, Perry Roberts, Amherst. Circa 1920s.

  • Gil Roberts, Europe. Circa 1920s.

  • Gil Roberts, Amherst High School hockey team. 1914.

  • Muset McComan (Bateman). Year unknown.

  • Hope Church, Amherst. 1902.

  • Sharon Bridges-Pariser and Dudley Bridges, Sr., Amherst. 1947..

  • Leila Bridges. Circa early 1900s.

  • Perry Roberts Sr., Perry Roberts, Rosemary Roberts, Doris Bridges, Dudley Bridges, William Harris, Edythe Harris, Amherst. Circa 1940s.

  • Gil Roberts, Europe. Circa 1920s.

“In the tapestry of our narrative, betrayal and erasure do not define us; instead, our story is a tapestry woven with threads of resilience and shared history. Within the Dawnland, the echoes of genocide and enslavement resonate, inviting us to collectively acknowledge the painful chapters of our past. Yet it is through the interconnected threads of Native American, European American, and African American histories — in that order — that we create the fabric of American history, particularly within the context of New England.” 

Anika Lopes (from "Entwined: Freedom, Sovereignty, and the Sea" Reimagining New England Histories)

Explore Similar Local Tours

The Connecticut River Valley is home to rich, cultural Black and Afro-Indigenous history. Several local and statewide walking tours commemorate this history with stops at historic homes, work sites, cemeteries, and local museums. Visitors who plan to be in the area for some time will find many options to choose from.

  • African American Heritage Trail, Springfield, Massachusetts: This walk marks important sites associated with the fight against slavery, including stops along the famous Underground Railroad.

  • African American Heritage Trail, Florence, Massachusetts: A self-guided walking tour in Florence, a suburb of Northampton, that commemorates the history of Sojourner Truth.

  • African American Trail Project, various sites, Massachusetts: A collaborative research initiative housed at Tufts University, this project maps Black and African-descended public history sites throughout Massachusetts.