Black culture has shaped much of American history and its cultural impact around the world. In a time where conversations around race and the injustices committed against the Black community have moved to the center triggered by the murder of George Floyd in 2020, it is critical to preserve sites that hold significance in American history.
Black sites and monuments exist across the country as preserved moments in time that either sparked a revolution or bore witness to the resilience that inspired other movements. While there are numerous monuments and cultural sites that signified the fullness of the Black culture, these 10 sites are a must whenever you plan a trip to any of these cities.
Editor's note: During COVID-19, please check the latest travel restrictions before planning any trip and always follow government health advice. Events may be subject to change.
1. Frederick Douglass House – Washington D.C.
Frederick Douglass was a prominent abolitionist and Black scholar who was crucial in helping end slavery. You can learn all about Douglass’ life and see how the scholar lived via a tour of his Anacostia home. The house, which Douglass lived in from 1877 until his death in 1895, became a part of the National Park Service in 1962. Because of COVID restrictions the house itself, along with the Visitor's Center, is currently closed, however the grounds are still accessible and park staff are on hand to answer questions.
2. Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Monument – Cambridge, Maryland
After being named a national monument in 2013 by former President Barack Obama, the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Monument has attracted visitors from all walks of life to learn about the woman people called "Moses". The site contains four notable stops along with the historic underground network, including the Jacobs Jackson House, Bezel Church, Stewart’s Canal, and James Cook Home Site.
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3. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial – Washington DC
In a city filled with iconic monuments and historic sites, the astounding 30-foot tall Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial is a must-see. The sculpture depicts the famous Civil Rights activist carved in granite with a few of his most famous quotes etched in the stone. The monument has quickly grown in popularity since its unveiling in 2011.
4. The Howard Thurman House – Daytona Beach, Florida
Author, philosopher, and educator Howard Thurman is regarded as one of the architects of the nonviolent movement, with much of his philosophical work becoming a foundation for the Civil Rights protests. Today, visitors can tour his home and learn more about the man who inspired some of our greatest civil rights activists like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
5. Maggie L. Walker National Site – Richmond, Virginia
Virginia-native Maggie L. Walker was the first Black woman to found a bank and became a prominent businesswoman who helped the Black community in the Richmond area. Guided tours through the Maggie L. Walker National Site provide insight into the woman who was a big proponent of Civil Rights and the economic empowerment of Black Americans.
6. Mount Zion Baptist Church – Tulsa, Oklahoma
As the center of the Black Community, churches have always played a major role in African American’s push for equality. Mount Zion Baptist Church in Tulsa was one of those places. Located in the historic Greenwood neighborhood, the church was destroyed during The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre (the same year it was dedicated). It was officially rebuilt in 1952 and is a testament to the resilience of the Black community living there today.
The most essential US Civil Rights sites in the South
7. Boston African American National Historic Site – Boston, Massachusetts
Located in Boston’s Beacon Hill neighborhood, the African American National Historic Site houses 15 Civil-War era structures connected to the city's Black community. Some of its more notable points of interest include the Robert Gould Shaw monument, the Museum of African American History’s African Meeting House and the oldest African American church in the state. The Boston African American National Historic is currently undergoing a phased reopening due to COVID-19 restrictions and many public-facing facilities, including restrooms remain closed.
8. American Beach – Jacksonville, Florida
During the Jim Crow era, beaches in the US were either segregated or whites-only. Jacksonville’s American Beach became the only refuge for Black residents after being purchased by the black-owned, Afro-American Life Insurance Company in the 1930s. From that moment and through the 1950s, American Beach became a popular destination for Black travelers as one of the only beachfront properties where Black visitors could vacation peacefully. In 2001, American Beach was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
9. Daisy Bates House – Little Rock, Arkansas
The Little Rock Nine are forever cemented in American history when they became the first group of students to desegregate a high school in Arkansas. Former state NAACP President and newspaper publisher Daisy Bates allowed her home to become a meeting spot and safe place for the students. Despite the threat of violence, Daisy and her husband, Lucius Christopher Bates, persevered. Today, the house is private property and not open to the public.
10. Mason Temple, Church of God in Christ – Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis’ Mason Temple served as one of the focal meeting grounds for the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s. It is also the place where Martin Luther King Jr. made his famous “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech on the eve of his assassination.
11. Bethel Baptist Church & Parsonage - Birmingham, Alabama
Bethel Baptist Church was one of the epicenters of the Civil Rights Movement in Birmingham, Alabama and the parsonage here was home to the legendary pastor and activist Rev. Fred L. Shuttlesworth. Built in 1926 in the historically black neighborhood of Collegeville, this church was the headquarters for the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights (ACMHR) an organization, an organization focused on desegregation and voting rights, created after the state of Alabama outlawed the NAACP. The church and parsonage were bombed three times and visitors today can still see the cracks in the foundation created by these attacks.
12. National Museum of African American Music - Nashville, Tennessee
Opened in 2021, this museum is the only one in the world expressly celebrating the important role African Americans have had in creating what we know as American music. The exhibitions run the gamut from exploring the importance of religion in African American music to its role in the Civil Rights movement. Naturally musical performances have a major place at the museum, with both in person and virtual concerts happening here throughout the year.
13. DuSable Museum of African American History - Chicago, Illinois
The first independent museum of African American culture in the US, this museum was founded in 1961 by artist and activist Margaret Taylor-Burroughs who originally ran it out of her own home. The exhibitions here speak to the struggles African American have faced historically, as well as those that continue into the modern era. Founded by an artist, this museum also puts on unique events that further its mission, including concerts and even a puppet show.
Read more: Where to explore Gullah culture in the US
14. Penn Center - St. Helena Island, South Carolina
The Penn Center is a collection of historic buildings on the site of the former Penn School. Opened in 1862, three years before emancipation, this was the first school for African Americans in the South. While the school itself is no longer in operation, visitors can still explore the more than 50 historic buildings, as well the on-site museum that tells the story of the Penn School and of the Gullah/Geechee people, a distinct African American community who live in this region. In deference to COVID-19, tours of the museum, as well as individual group tours must be scheduled in advance.
15. Buffalo Soldiers National Museum - Houston, Texas
Though the name of the museum is a nod to the nickname given to Black soldiers who served on the Western frontier, the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum is actually dedicated to all the African Americans who served in the US military both historically and today. The museum has exhibitions on historical uniforms worn by buffalo soldiers, black women who served in the military, early technology used by these soldiers and more. They also produce a variety of educational and artistic programs to teach about the legacy and struggles of Black soldiers.
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