Black History Month is a time to travel and see some of the best historic sites and landmarks that have been associated with African American history. These landmarks throughout the United States are places that have had a tremendous effect on the achievements and legacy of black Americans. Some of these destinations are often overlooked, but they are worth the visit because they are where history was made or reflect the powerful impact certain events or people had on our country.
Brown Chapel AME Church in Selma, Alabama
The Brown Chapel AME Church in Selma was the starting point for the historic march that Martin Luther King Jr. is famous for. From Selma to Montgomery, the march was a peaceful protest that would help bring attention to and play a major role in the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Today, you can visit the church where they started that historic event in history and what those who marched had to endure as they stood up for their rights.
While visiting the church, you can also visit the National Voting Rights Museum and Institute which preserves and honors the activists who participated in the march from Selma to Montgomery. You’ll find a variety of galleries and educational information that took them on their journey to strive for the right for African Americans to vote.
National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC
The only national museum that is exclusively devoted to the documentation of African American life, history, and culture. At the National Museum of African American History and Culture, you will find a variety of different historic objects on display. For instance, Harriet Tubman’s hymnal, a plantation cabin from South Carolina, and the Sweet Home Café which offers stories and home-cooked food from the African American culture. These are just a few of the things to see at the museum but there are other great things to see and stories to learn about when you visit the museum.
Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri
Shared with the American Jazz Museum, visitors will be able to learn from and explore the interactive exhibits that chronicle some of the most well-known Black baseball players at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri. The famous Jackie Robinson and Buck O’Neil are just a few of the inspiring baseball players you will be able to learn more about inside the 10,000 square foot home.
Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park in Church Creek, Maryland
Learn more about one of the most iconic women in history when you visit the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park. In 2017, the land surrounding her home in upstate New York was named a national park. The park preserved the same landscapes that Tubman used to carry herself and others away from slavery. You will also find a few different exhibits that you can walk through. For a special experience, you can take the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Scenic Byway just as she would when helping the slaves.
Natchez National Historic Park in Natchez, Mississippi
William Johnson, an African American who was freed from slavery in the early 1800s, once lived on the land at the age of 11. After Johnson was given his freedom, he became a respected businessman by starting several barbershops, farms, and rental property in the mid-1800s. His murder came in in 1851. In 1951, Johnson’s diary was published and gave a uniquely detailed inside into what it was like to be an African American in the 19th century in Natchez. His home was then opened as a museum in 2005 by the National Park Service.
Read Also: 5 Black Historical Figures You Ought to Know
Little Rock Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas
In 1957, Little Rock Central High School was the center of conflict when it came to the right for giving African Americans the opportunity to attend school. This came following the Brown v Board of Education decision that gave more rights and equality to African Americans when it came to education. At the historic site, you will be able to learn more about the sacrifices and struggles those students went through and the opportunities that they have provided for children since.
Take a Trip Along The Civil Rights Trail
If you want to take one trip to see a variety of different landmarks and historical places, the Civil Rights Trail is where you want to go.
The Civil Rights Trail spans across 15 states and includes over 100 locations that teach and remind us about the ongoing struggle of achieving equal rights. Throughout the trail, you will see the Edmund Pettus Bridge, which is where a police confrontation took place during the Selma, Alabama marches. You’ll also be able to visit the Martin Luther King Jr. memorial and discover the true stories that changed history.
These are just a few of the historic sites to visit during Black History Month. In fact, there are many other sights and places to visit where you can find more information about African American history and the fight for equality which had a huge and important impact on America.
