The Royall House and Slave Quarters
Medford, Massachusetts

 

Mission & Strategic Plan

At the end of 2005, the Royall House Association adopted a new Mission Statement and Strategic Plan designed to take the history and meaning of the Royall House and Slave Quarters into the future. Strategic Plan Statement (pdf).

A Unique Window into the Past

The home of one of the richest families in New England and the enslaved Africans who made their lifestyle possible. Architecture, furnishings, and artifacts bear witness to their entwined stories. The Home.

Isaac Royall

Isaac Royall never intended to abandon hearth and home. He just got caught on the wrong side of the Revolution. Royall Family History.

The Royall House Slaves

When the Royalls moved to Medford from Antigua, they brought 27 slaves with them. New England slavery was not benign. The Royall Slaves.

Public Programs

Regular public lectures cover a variety of topics on Colonial and Medford history, Northern slavery, and much more. Events.

Archeology

A full-scale dig has uncovered more than 5,000 objects from the Royall family and their slaves. The Dig.

The Tory Story

The Royall House is part of "The Other Side". Isaac Royall was a Loyalist, or Tory, and remained loyal to King George III. The Tory Trail.

Family Connections

Many families have been connected to the Royall House since 1732. Families.

Special Thanks
to the Donors
to our2008/2009
Annual Appeal
Click here for
a complete list (PDF)

Visitor Schedule

Visitor Schedule

The Royall House and Slave Quarters are open for Tours from May 31 to November 1, 2009 -- weekends, 1 to 5 p.m. Group Tours may also be arranged for dates starting March 9, 2009. Pictured: Hanging lantern, upstairs hall of the Isaac Royall House.
Photo © Geoffrey Gross 2007. From Great Houses of New England; Rizzoli, 2008. Used by permission. Visitor Guide.

Meeting Space, Event Facility

Meeting Space, Event Facility

Our beautiful grounds are available for rental. Have your special event at the Royall House. Rental information.

Getting There

Getting There

The Royall House and Slave Quarters are located at 15 George Street in Medford, Massachusetts. Detailed Map.

Massachusetts Foundation for The Humanities

This web site is funded in part by the Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities.

The Royall House and Slave Quarters

Isaac Royall House -- West Facade

West Façade, Royall House

Photo © Geoffrey Gross 2007. From Great Houses of New England; Rizzoli, 2008. Used by permission.

Slave Quarters

Slave Quarters

The Royall House and Slave Quarters were built in 1732-1739. The House is one of the finest 18th century buildings in New England; the Slave Quarters is the only such structure in the Northern United States. Both the buildings and grounds are a National Historic Landmark. Together, these unique structures tell the intertwined stories of liberty and bondage, independence and slavery, as they have been played out not only in Colonial times, but throughout American history.

Among these stories is that of Belinda, one of the enslaved Africans owned by the Royalls; after their departure, she successfully petitioned the Massachusetts Legislature in 1783 for a pension. Of course, these stories played out in the context of the American Revolution. After the departure of the Royalls to England, General John Stark made the Royall House his headquarters in the first days of the Revolutionary War. General George Washington helped plan the siege of Boston from here.

For more information, see the Royall House and Slave Quarters.

You're invited!

2nd Century Logo

Second Century Celebration

May 30, 2009
3-5 p.m.
On the grounds of the Royall House and Slave Quarters
15 George Street
Medford, Massachusetts

Featuring

Delicious hors d'oeuvres and libations - Music - Tours
and a talk by Joanne Pope Melish
nationally-renowned scholar and author, who will speak on:
"Africa, Antigua, New England: Triangulating Slavery in the 18th-Century Atlantic World"
Tickets just $35 - all proceeds benefit the Royall House Association
Sponsorships in our beautiful printed 2009 Program and Guide (used throughout 2009) are also welcome, and range from $25 on up. Space ads are also available for businesses or institutions.
For tickets and/or Sponsorships, please use this PDF form.
For questions, please send an e-mail to Cloaking .

Archaeological Exhibit

Parallel Lives, Common Landscape: Artifacts from the Royall House and Slave Quarters

Open during Public Programs and by appointment. Re-opens May 31, 2009 (to November 1, 2009), weekends 1-5 p.m.

Free with paid Tour

The Exhibit features compelling objects from the 18th century, discovered in a full-scale dig on our site. More Information.

Our Mission

The Royall House Association explores the meanings of freedom and independence before, during and since the American Revolution, in the context of a household of wealthy Loyalists and enslaved Africans.

 

Funding for this web site provided by the Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities.