Welcome to the Family Heritage Experience
Find out more about your family tree!
A state-of-the-art visitor attraction, the Family Heritage Experience is a historical attraction in Boston that invites everyone to ponder questions about family origins, journeys, and cultural traditions, and to learn ways to discover more about their own ancestry. Come visit us in the heart of Boston's Back Bay.
Open Now
Patriots of Color: Stories of Courage, Resistance, and Legacy
As Boston prepares to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, Patriots of Color shines a light on the overlooked stories of Black, Native, and multiracial individuals who shaped the fight for independence. Through original documents, interactive displays, and contemporary artistic interpretation, the exhibition highlights 26 Patriots from across the 13 colonies and connects their stories to living descendants today.
Discover how genealogy and archival research help bring these powerful histories back into view.
Open now at the Family Heritage Experience.
A Great Introduction
"I visited the Family Heritage Experience to learn more about my family’s history. I was able to chat with a genealogist who gave me advice on how to find the information I was looking for, and I participated in some of the interactive exhibits. If you’re interested in learning more about your family history this is a great place for beginners to experts."
Lucky Find
"I was walking by, and being a fan of Finding your Roots had to stop in. Very interesting stop while I was in Boston. Highly recommend to fans of genealogy and history."
Wonderful Time
"An amazing experience! Wish I lived here to come back again and again! The people who work here are so knowledgeable and helpful! Thank you for having a place like this"
“Researching family trees has been a passion in my life since I was nine years old, and I am thrilled to know the desire to learn about the past through the roots and branches of one’s own ancestry will now be greatly facilitated through the Family Heritage Experience in Boston.”
– Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
Host of the PBS show Finding Your Roots
Past Special Exhibit
The Ancestry of Pope Leo XIV: An American Story
Online Only
Pope Leo XIV’s diverse family history has captivated global audiences since it was featured in The New York Times Magazine earlier this year. Our exhibit, The Ancestry of Pope Leo XIV: An American Story, invites visitors to explore this extraordinary story in depth. The in-person exhibit closed on Dec. 31, 2025, but you can view it online at the link below. Please stay tuned for more in-person exhibits coming up in 2026!
Please view on a desktop or laptop for the best experience.
All Are Welcome
At the Family Heritage Experience, you can explore questions about family origins and journeys that will get you started on the journey of a lifetime – exploring your own family tree! You don’t need to know anything about your family history to enjoy your visit. Our interactive exhibits are designed to spark curiosity about your familial past.
Everyone is welcome at the Family Heritage Experience. We invite people of all backgrounds and views to come together to reflect on family, identity, and our connection to others. We are committed to fostering a community where everyone feels comfortable, and everyone belongs.
The Family Heritage Experience is ideal for multi-generational groups, and a family visit can be rewarding and fun. Whether you are local to New England and seek to research your Boston family history, or you are visiting from around the country or around the world, The Family Heritage Experience is a rewarding and entertaining historical attraction in Boson. A must-visit destination on your itinerary!
In the Heart of Historic Back Bay
The Family Heritage Experience is located on Newbury Street in the middle of Boston's beautiful, historic Back Bay neighborhood.
Lined with restaurants, outdoor cafes, art galleries, upscale boutiques and fashion chain stores, Newbury Street is one of Boston’s most lively shopping and dining destinations.
The Back Bay neighborhood is a historic gem centered around Copley Square, home to Trinity Church and the Boston Public Library. One block over, Commonwealth Avenue features beautiful green spaces, rows of 19th century brownstones, and numerous monuments that honor Boston’s many famous citizens.
If you're looking for a Boston history museum, why not visit The Family Heritage Experience.