Volunteer Workshop on Documenting Racially Restrictive Covenants in MA

Volunteer Workshop on Documenting Racial Housing Covenants in MA

Come join the Massachusetts Covenants Project for a hands-on workshop at the Norman B. Leventhal Map & Education Center to will explore and help document the hidden history of racially restrictive covenants, legal clauses that were inserted into property deeds to prevent people who were not White from buying or occupying land. 

In this hands-on session, you'll:

• Learn how restrictive covenants shaped housing patterns and wealth inequality in our region
• Try your hand at analyzing historical property deeds to identify discriminatory language
• Reflect on how this history connects to housing and community today
• Share your insights to help shape future public engagement around this research

This pilot workshop is part of a research collaboration between MIT, MassHousing, and the Leventhal Map and Education Center. Their project aims to systematically document Massachusetts' covenant history to better understand how housing has shaped residential patterns and wealth inequality across the state. No prior knowledge required—just bring your curiosity!