The resources below document African American historic and cultural sites in Washington DC, as well as sites associated with the local and national battle for civil rights.
African American Heritage Trail
The District of Columbia's African American Heritage Trail, identifies sites that are important in local and national history and culture.The trail consists of a searchable database and a free booklet. The database provides information about each of the trail's more than 200 sites in 15 distinct neighborhoods. The database also indicates which sites have been marked with plaques.
African American Heritage Trail Guide
African American Heritage Trail Nomination Form
African American Civil Rights Tour
As the nation’s capital and, by 1957, the first large US city to become majority Black, Washington, DC was central to the 20th century African American Civil Rights Movement. This tour highlights 109 sites associated with the people and events that defined the local and national battle for civil rights.
20th Century African American Civil Rights Tour
History of Resistance at Lafayette Square and the Black Lives Matter Movement, Washington, DC
In the wake of George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis, Minnesota, massive protests erupted. As with other key protests in the history of the BLM movement the city of the injustice became a key site and national stage for the protests. However, in the case of 2020, protests erupted worldwide, and Washington D.C. emerged as one of the most significant sites of protests with Lafayette Square at the forefront.
History of Reistance at Lafayette Square and the Black Lives Matter Movement Washington, DC
Civil Rights in America: Racial Discrimination in Housing
The National Park Service prepared a National Historic Landmarks Theme Study: Civil Rights in America: Racial Discrimination in Housing. The white paper was produced in 2021 by the Organization of American Historians with the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers as consultant.
Civil Rights in America: Racial Discrimination in Housing
DC Civil Rights Story Maps - Barry Farm Dwellings & Kingman Park
The Historic Preservation Office produced the following ArcGIS StoryMap presentations relating to 20th Century African American Civil Rights activities in the District of Columbia.
Kingman Park Historic District StoryMap
Online Tour of Black History Sites
The Historic Preservation Office produced an interactive map of 300 places associated with African American history and culture in the District. The sites span the city's history from its creation in 1791, through the Civil War and Civil Rights eras to 1974 - when DC gained Home Rule - and beyond. The Story Map also houses the 15 original tours included in the African American Heritage Trail, in a new digital format.