It is one of the Smith Court residences on the Black Heritage Trail of the Boston African American National Historic Site walking tours.

For example, on July 18, 1856, James Scott boarded self-emancipated slave Henry Jackson and his family at 3 Smith Court.

He was the author of several histories, including Colored Patriots of the American Revolution, and he worked at various times for the Liberator, the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society, and the Frederick Douglass’ Paper.

He was also very active in the Boston Vigilance Committee and he sheltered or aided numerous self-emancipated slaves at 3 Smith Court.

The area of lower Joy Street and Smith Court was an important center of Boston's 19th black community.

They moved primarily into areas that had been partially black neighborhoods, just as African Americans were relocating to Roxbury, Dorchester, and the South End.