1998 The Boston History Center & Museum, Inc. was established by the Bostonian Society, the Freedom Trail Foundation, and the Boston History Collaborative.

1999 White Oak Associates and the American History Workshop hired to begin the work of museum planning. Cultural and civic leaders convene in a day-long session to begin brainstorming on museum program content.

2000 The museum responds to the Turnpike Authority's RFI for Parcel 12. Also explores siting the project on City Hall Plaza.

2001 Visitor research study completed. 1st planning campaign launched; $1.5 million is raised.

2002 The Boston Museum opens an office in Government Center, with space provided by Citizens Bank. The National Park Service completes a historic sites needs assessment study on behalf of the Boston Museum.

2003 Economic Impact Study completed.

2005 The Massachusetts Turnpike Authority designates the Boston Museum as the official developer of Parcel 12 on the new Rose Kennedy Greenway. 2nd planning campaign launched; $2.5 million is raised.

2006 Development staff and communications director hired.

2007 The Boston Museum expands its staff and board of directors, changes its name (dropping "Project,") launches a newsletter & new website, convenes local scholars to plan the first of five gallery concepts, convenes a teacher institute on the city's environmental and economic history, begins a partnership with Extended Learning Time teachers at the Mario Umana Middle School Academy in East Boston, and hosts a salon-style series of classes with the Boston Center for Adult Education.

2008 - 2009 Launch of capital campaign, ongoing planning and design work.

2010 Groundbreaking

2012 Opening!