Phillips School

Phillips School is a brick building on Beacon Hill's northern slope showing Federal architectural style with large windows spread across several stories. The structure sits along Phillips Street and displays the solid craftsmanship typical of early 19th century construction.

The building was constructed in 1824 as Boston English High School and renamed in 1844 to honor John Phillips, Boston's first mayor. It became a turning point in the city's school system as one of the first places where students of different races studied together.

The school brought students from different backgrounds together in shared classrooms, making it a meeting place for the community. This mixing of people shaped how the neighborhood developed and grew.

The building now serves as a private residence, so visitors can view the exterior from Phillips Street without entering. Walking through the Beacon Hill neighborhood makes it easy to see the building's architectural details and the period homes around it.

Elizabeth Smith became the first African American teacher in this integrated school system during the 1870s, a remarkable breakthrough. Her appointment showed that progress was being made in educational opportunities during a time when such positions for Black women were extremely rare.

Location: Massachusetts

GPS coordinates: 42.35900,-71.06780

Latest update: December 18, 2025 11:40