The Royall House and Slave Quarters
Medford, Massachusetts
Volunteer
Like all community organizations, we rely a great deal on the energies of our volunteers. We need your talent and we need your help! Volunteer.
Meeting Space, Event Facility
Our beautiful grounds are available for rental. Have your special event at the Royall House. Rental information.
Getting There
The Royall House and Slave Quarters are located at 15 George Street in Medford, Massachusetts. Detailed Map.
Events and Programs
New 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 to October 26, 2008, weekends, 1 to 5 p.m.
A few of the fascinating artifacts in the new archeological exhibit.
Akan-derived amulet; Royall chocolate cup;
gaming pieces
Photos by Alexandra Chan
At the Royall House and Slave Quarters, 15 George Street, Medford, MA (just off Main Street). Re-opens May 31 (to October 26, 2008), Weekends 1-5 p.m. Admission free with paid Tour. Otherwise: $5 Adults, $3 Children Special rates for group tours and classroom visits: please inquire. The Exhibit will also be available during public events at the Slave Quarters meeting room.
Details: From 1999-2001 a full-scale archaeological dig was conducted by Ricardo Elia, Ph. D. (1999-2000) and Alexandra Chan, Ph. D., (2000-2001) on the grounds of the Royall House and Slave Quarters in Medford, Massachusetts. This huge effort revealed thousands of artifacts from the Royall period (1732-1775), that help illuminate "the meanings of freedom and independence ... in the context of a household of wealthy Loyalists and enslaved Africans." (from our Mission Statement).
This new Exhibit features a selection of compelling objects, including rare physical evidence of the lives of those held in bondage by the Royalls. Dr. Chan has curated the Exhibit and provided text for the explanatory panels. Produced under a permit from the Massachusetts Historical Commission, with major support from the Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation.
A new book - The Curator of the Exhibit, Alexandra Chan, Ph. D., has published a new book about the archeological dig and its meaning - Slavery in the Age of Reason: Archaeology at a New England Farm (U. of Tennessee Press).
For more information, go to: http://utpress.org/a/searchdetails.php?jobno=T01197&authorsm=Chan,%20Alexandra%20A.
The book is available for sale from the Royall House Association. Download a printable pdf order form.
Public Programs
2007-2008 Programs are generously sponsored by the Medford Rotary Club.
More information, in pdf format.
All programs are held on Wednesday evenings, every other month.
Our 2008 Public Tour Season runs from May 31 to October 26, 2008 - weekends, 1 to 5 p.m. Group Tours may also be arranged in March and April, 2008, as well as during the 2008 Tour Season. Please contact the Executive Director at info@royallhouse.org.