About Us

The West End Museum is dedicated to collecting, preserving, and sharing the history and culture of Boston’s West End Neighborhood.

The history of the West End is one of continual change, American firsts, Boston innovations, and modern icons. The West End Museum celebrates the story of the neighborhood that led the way in Boston’s immigrant era, supporting thousands of the world’s “huddled masses” as they found their way from North End slums to the American Dream. By then, the West End had already produced America’s first native-born architect, provided a home for free Black citizens after the Revolution, and led the way in the construction of railroads, electric street cars, and so much more. The neighborhood changed dramatically after 1950. Two decades of Urban Renewal led to the clearing of more than half the neighborhood, and reinvention in its modern form.

Today, we continue to collect West End artifacts, investigate stories of West End community and culture, and share those stories with the public through our programs and exhibitions.

Our Mission

The West End Museum is dedicated to telling the story of Boston’s West End neighborhood. The Museum provides a space for past and present residents and the community; educates the public in history and urbanization; and preserves its material history and culture. The Museum seeks to challenge citizens to take an active role in shaping their communities.

Board of Directors

Officers

Lois Ascher

President

Lois is a retired Professor of Humanities at Wentworth University.

Michael Gropman

Vice President

Michael is a retired Deputy Superintendent of the Brookline Police Dept and the descendant of a displaced West Ender.

Tom Palmer

Treasurer

Tom is the Principal at Tom Palmer Communication.

Duane Lucia

Clerk

Duane is the CEO of Gallery East Network, Vice President of Fort point Artists Community, and a current West Ender.

Members

Leland Alexander

Leland is a Project Manager at Janey Construction.

Katie Burke

Katie is an Archivist at the Olmstead National Historic Site.

Bob Campanella

Bob is a retired Investment Manager at Fidelity and both a displaced and current West Ender.

Samantha DiMauro

Samantha is a Graphic Design Manager at Eataly and the descendant of a displaced West Ender.

Julia Forbes

Julia is active as a volunteer within the West End community, and is a current West Ender.

Bruce Guarino

Bruce is Senior Docent at The West End Museum, a retired postal worker, and a displaced West Ender.

Chad Kindregan

Chad is a Partner at Beacon Law Group and a current West Ender.

Bill Kuttner

Bill is the President of the Shirley-Eustis House Association.

Andy Matteis

Andy is an Assistant Adjunct Professor at Bentley University and a former investment & finance executive.

Dan McGrath

Dan is Senior Vice President, Director of Asset Management at Berkeley Investments.

A woman of color with mid-length brown hair wearing a plaid scarf of red and teal

N'Dia Riegler

N’Dia is an educator in BPS, the 2020 MA History Teacher of the Year, an Educational Consultant at Educurious, and a current West Ender.

Jane Wilson

Jane is the former President of the West End Civic Association and a current West Ender.

Ex-Officio & Emeritus Members

Richard Hartnett (ex-officio via OWEHC) is former President of the Museum, and a displaced West Ender

Nick Haney (ex-officio via MGH) is Public Coordination & Initiatives Director at Massachusetts General Hospital

Joe Greenburg (emeritus)

Richard Hartnet (emeritus)

Joe McDonald (emeritus)

Paul Mondello (emeritus)

Frank Privetera (emeritus)

Staff

Sebastian Belfanti

Executive Director

Sebastian joined WEM in 2019 as Volunteer Program Director, was hired in 2020 as the Museum’s first paid full-time staff member and became Executive Director in 2022. He holds a MSc in geology from Vanderbilt University and is President of the West End Civic Association, a Board Member of the Massachusetts History Alliance, and a Director Ex-Officio of the West End Community Center.

Before coming to the WEM, Sebastian was a geologist developing methods for the collection of multi-dimensional chemical data from minerals he collected in Yosemite National Park. He enjoys reading, drawing, collecting books about Boston, and tabletop roleplaying games.

Bob Potenza

Archivist/Curator

Bob joined WEM in 2021 as a Volunteer Researcher and was hired as Archivist/Curator in 2022. He holds a BA in Economics from Boston University and a MA in History and Archival Science from University of Massachusetts Boston.

Before coming to the WEM, Bob was a US Army aviation officer and worked in supply chain management and product development at IKEA. He is a native Bostonian, proud father to four daughters, and enjoys travel, book collecting, reading, writing and cooking.

Grace Clipson

Education Manager

Grace joined WEM in 2023 as Education Coordinator, and became Education Manager in 2024. She holds a BA in Art History and Government & Legal Studies from Bowdoin College and an MSt in the History of Art and Visual Culture from the University of Oxford.

Before joining the WEM, Grace worked at multiple museums and auction houses. Outside of work, she enjoys running, reading, and watching Liverpool matches.

Maisie Winter

Operations Assistant

Maisie joined WEM in 2024 as the Operations Assistant. She holds a BA in Global and Cultural Communications from Suffolk University.

Maisie has an affinity for communities and storytelling. With a deep appreciation for cultural history and community narratives, Maisie brings a unique perspective to her work. She is passionate about preserving and sharing the stories that shape the fabric of society, and she thrives on creating meaningful experiences for visitors and volunteers alike. In her free time, she enjoys reading, knitting, running, and exploring Boston.

Annual Reports

The cover of a report reading The West End Museum Annual Report 2023 and showing a stylized map of the West End with photos filling in a simplified street pattern.

Visit

Hours

Monday:	Closed
Tuesday:	Closed
Wednesday:	Closed
Thursday:	Closed
Friday:	Closed
Saturday:	Closed
Sunday:	Closed

Admission

$12 Admission Recommended

Handicapped Accessible

Docents are available at select hours to guide small groups

Tours

Large groups at the Museum, private walking tours of the West End, and talks in person or via Zoom

Scheduling is available by appointment.

Tickets start at $10/person (minimum $40).

Schedule a Tour

Directions

Blue Line

From Bowdoin Square Station walk up Staniford Street and then take a left onto Lomasney Way

Green Line

From North Station, follow signs for Causeway Street and take a right onto Causeway, then a right onto Lomasney Way

Orange Line

From North Station, follow signs for Causeway Street and take a right onto Causeway, then a right onto Lomasney Way

Red Line

From Charles/MGH follow Charles Street north, then take a right onto Martha Road and continue onto Lomasney Way

Bus

From Haymarket follow Merrimac Street to the end, then continue straight onto Lomasney Way

Commuter Rail

From North Station, follow signs for Causeway Street and take a right onto Causeway, then a right onto Lomasney Way

Biking

Bike racks available free directly in front of the Museum
Blue Bikes are available across the street at West End Park

Driving

Garage Parking is available at the North Station Garage on Nashua Street and the Alcott on
Lomasney Way, the Museum is within sight of both garages
Lot parking is available on Merrimac Street, from the lots follow Merrimac away from Government Center then continue straight onto Lomasney Way

Where exactly is the West End?

The West End has a variety of boundaries through time, and depending upon perspective.

The modern neighborhood extends from Cambridge Street to Washington Street and from the Charles River to New Chardon Street, however, its historic Boundaries extend further.

Until the 1958 the West End extended south to Pickney Street and east to Pemberton Square, it had reached those boundaries over time, as land was filled and the area, called the New Fields, West Boston and the West End at various times, expanded.

Learn More