2 Hours | Portland Black History Walking Tour

Overview

Take a guided walk tracing the steps of the Black Portlanders who moved our city, state, and country closer to the ideals of freedom, democracy, opportunity, and equality. Maine’s earliest settlements couldn’t have existed without Black labor, skill, and insight—and since those first moments, Black Yankees have agitated and organized to resist indignity and realize power. You'll meet the people who founded Maine communities, overturned slavery statewide, drove our maritime industries, gained political influence, founded houses of worship, crossed color boundaries, and expanded Mainers’ rights in the modern era.

The Portland Black History Tour includes 2 hours of entertaining and enlightening historical narration over a 1.5-mile route through the Old Port and East End neighborhood. Owner and guide, Dugan Murphy, dug through piles of research and historic documents to present an amazing constellation of stories left out of most tours.

City: Portland

Mon 24 Feb

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $49.00

Make a reservation

Mon 24 Feb

Starting at $49.00

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Two hour fully narrated guided tour.

Additional Info

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
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Pets are not allowed on tours unless medically required.
Guides required to regularly wash hands
Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons
COVID-19 vaccination required for guides
Masks are optional, but encouraged for non-vaccinated guests. You should bring a face covering in the event your tour group is invited inside a historic building for an impromptu visit or for use if you’d like while walking outside.

What To Expect

Old Port

We'll walk through Portland's Old Port and Waterfront Districts—and pop over into the East End for a bit, too—uncovering Black history along the way. *Highlights include:* First Parish Church, Lobsterman Park, Exchange Street, Mariner’s Church, Boothby Square, Commercial Street waterfront, India Street, Abyssinian Meeting House, Green Memorial Church, Portland Observatory, Eastern Cemetery, North School, St. Paul’s Church, Portland High School, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

Cancellation Policy

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

Traveler Photos

Reviews (50)

515laurellj

Sep 2022

Excellent tour filled with great information. Dugan was an outstanding tour guide. He was so personable and knowledgeable. Really enjoyed the tour!

Response from Host

Sep 2022

I'm glad you liked the tour so much. I am honored to share inspiring stories on this tour of Black Portlanders from long ago whose legacies are still so palpable and relevant today. Thanks for reviewing the tour!

thomasandlaurell

Sep 2022

This tour was So Worth It! Our tour guide Dugan was extremely knowledgeable, very passionate, personable and most informative. We gained a totally different perspective of the African American experience in New England. We totally recommend this tour and ask for Dugan...

Response from Host

Sep 2022

It was lovely meeting you both. I was so happy to share these incredible stories with you and to show you around my hometown. Thanks for taking the tour and thanks for the review!

Lowell123

Sep 2022

Local Black History Tour by Dugan Murphy, Portland By The Foot. I Love history and have been on Walking Tours in cities throughout the United States, UK, Europe, and Asia. This Black History Tour was well-paced and we visited many different sections of Portland from Congress Street to the Old Port to Munjoy Hill. Our tour company owner and guide Dugan was exceptional with details stories illustrated with historically accurate images. Have already highly recommended this Tour to family and friends.

Response from Host

Sep 2022

I love history too! There are so many Black figures who have played a major role in the development of this city and state and I was honored to share their stories with you. Thank you for joining me and for the review!