Nicodemus National Historic Site [KS]

Description

An all-African-American town settled by former slaves fleeing the south in 1877 after Reconstruction had ended following the Civil War, Nicodemus is located in the Northwest corner of Kansas. This living community is the only remaining all-African-American town west of the Mississippi River that was settled in the 1800s on the western plains by former slaves. Five historic buildings represent this community.

The site offers exhibits, a short film, research library access, and tours.

Frederick Douglass National Historic Site

Description

The Frederick Douglass National Historic Site is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the most famous 19th-century African American. His life was a testament to the courage and persistence that serves as an inspiration to those who struggle in the cause of liberty and justice. Visitors to the site learn about his efforts to abolish slavery and his struggle for rights for all oppressed people.

The site offers tours, a film, and exhibits.

New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park [MA]

Description

The New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park presents the history of New Bedford, whaling capital of New England in the mid-19th century, and the trade itself. This is the only national park to focus on whaling and the whale oil industry. The park consists of a portion of New Bedford itself, the starting point for the fictional voyage chronicled in Herman Melville's Moby Dick, as well as the majority of American whaling expeditions. Voyages could last upwards of five years per voyage, but were crucial to providing whale oil to light the 1800s United States.

The park offers an introductory film; exhibits on area preservation, whaling, and commercial fishing; a guided tour; self-guided tours on whaling and on the Underground Railroad; and Junior Ranger activities. The park is partners with the following area institutions: the New Bedford Whaling Museum, Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum, Seamen's Bethel, Waterfront Visitor Center and Schooner Ernestina. Partner institutions offer more than 60 educational programs.

African Burial Ground National Monument [NY]

Description

During the 17th and 18th centuries, hundreds of free and enslaved African Americans were buried in lower Manhattan. Over the ensuing decades, the ground was covered by development and a landfill. Today, the United States General Services Administration (GSA) manages the site. The national monument comprises a relatively small area of the original burial ground, which could possibly extend across Broadway to City Hall.

The site offers historical information about the site, information about the process by which it was designated a National Monument, and government reports regarding the site. The web site, which is linked to on the homepage of the website given here, has more relevant visitor information. In order to contact the National Monument via email, use the "contact us" link on the webpage.

Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site [DC]

Description

Carter G. Woodson was the son of former slaves and was the second African American to receive a degree from Harvard, a feat which he achieved in 1912. Woodson is most famous for his prolific writings and publications which, for the first time, chronicled the history of African Americans. In addition, Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History and The Associated Publishers in order to aid in positive press for the African American population. The Woodson Home is located on Vermont Avenue in downtown Washington, D.C.

The site offers detailed historical information on the house and Carter Woodson, as well as visitor information. In order to email the Woodson Home, use the "contact us" link on the webpage.

Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail [AL]

Description

The Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail commemorates the 1965 Voting Rights March in Alabama. On March 7, 1965, subsequently known as "Bloody Sunday," non-violent protesters for African American voting rights crossed the Edmond Pettus Bridge–only to be gassed, beaten, and halted by law enforcement officers. In response, nation-wide protesters flocked to the site for a five-day march, beginning March 21, 1965. This march received state and federal law enforcement protection. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was among those who spoke at the rally which followed completion of the march. The Voting Rights Act was passed May 26, 1965.

The site offers an interpretive center with exhibits and a film at the midpoint of the trail; ranger-led programs; in-classroom outreach programs; and Junior Ranger activities. Reservations are required for all ranger-led programming. The website offers lesson plans.

Cane River Creole National Historical Park [LA]

Description

The Cane River Creole National Park contains Oakland and Magnolia Plantations. Oakland Plantation, dating to circa 1821, was the home of Jean Pierre Emmanuel Prud'homme. The structure is French Colonial in style with bousillage construction. Magnolia Plantation was built in the 1830s for Ambrose LeComte. Styles include Greek Revival and Italianate. Collection highlights include the last U.S. cotton gin with a wooden screw press located on its original site.

Both plantations offer ranger-led tours, self-guided tours, painting workshops, musicians, storytellers, craftsmen, Junior Ranger activities, and picnic sites. The website offers videos and historic photographs.

New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park [LA]

Description

The New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park presents the history of the people and places most crucial to New Orleans' jazz legacy. Key figures include Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong (1900-1971), Charles "Buddy" Bolden (1877-1931), "Papa Jack" George Vetiala Laine (1873-1966), and Sidney Bechet (1897-1959).

The park offers demonstrations, talks, live music, documentary films, two mp3 audio tours of the city, and lectures.

Capitol Hill Parks [DC]

Description

Capitol Hill Parks includes all parkland between the 2nd streets NE and SE and the Anacostia River. The four major parks in this space are the Folger Park, which contains numerous examples of historic architecture; Lincoln Park, which contains memorials to Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865), 16th President of the United States, and Civil Rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune (1875-1955); Marion Park; and Stanton Park, which houses a statue of General Nathanael Greene (1742-1786), the Revolutionary War leader who drove the British out of Georgia and the Carolinas in 1782.

The site offers tours upon request.