10 places to explore Black history in America

What started as Negro History Week in February, initiated by historian Carter G. Woodson in 1926, later transformed into Black History Month in 1976.

This yearly observance honors the achievements and struggles of Black individuals in the U.S. It serves as a dedicated time to celebrate, respect, and remember those who courageously fought for freedom, equality, inclusion, integration, and civil rights.

However, learning about Black history and culture shouldn’t be confined to just Black History Month. There are various locations throughout the country that provide fantastic opportunities to delve into Black history and the iconic figures who have influenced Black culture, life, and history in the U.S. any time of the year.

Alabama

Often referred to as the birthplace of civil rights, Montgomery was home to numerous activists and movements that drove significant change in this country.

The Rosa Parks Museum at Troy University offers a deeper understanding of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, moving beyond what is found in textbooks. The experience begins with a film featuring voices from various races discussing their experiences protesting segregation and racial injustices in their city. Visitors are then taken to a room for a digital reenactment of the night Rosa Parks was arrested, projected from a replica of the Cleveland Avenue bus.

Just a couple of blocks from the museum stands a statue of Rosa Parks, located at the site where she made her stand on December 1, 1955 — the moment that immortalized her in history.

The museum also highlights the Freedom Riders, a courageous group (including the late Congressman John Lewis) who sought to challenge segregation at bus stations during their journey from Washington, D.C., to New Orleans.

Part of the old Greyhound station in Montgomery, where these riders faced violence from an enraged mob, has been transformed into the Freedom Rides Museum, preserving remnants of the "For Coloreds Only" waiting area and boarding platform.

Another significant location in the city is the Dr. Richard Harris House, which served as a safe haven and a hub for strategic planning for the Freedom Riders and various civil rights movements throughout Montgomery in the Centennial Hill district.

Mobile is another city steeped in Black culture and history.

Just a few miles from downtown lies Africatown, established by 32 West Africans who were part of the last known illegal slave shipment to the U.S. This historic area is featured on Mobile's African American Heritage Trail.

Mobile is also the birthplace of baseball icon Hank Aaron. Visitors can explore his childhood home (now relocated to Hank Aaron Stadium) at no cost. Aaron, who shattered Babe Ruth's home run record, achieved this while facing significant hostility and racism.

Nashville

While Nashville is famous for its country music scene, it also boasts a deep and significant Black history.

On February 13, 1960, 124 students from historically Black colleges and universities in Nashville organized sit-ins at Kress, Woolworth, and McClellan lunch counters across the city, following earlier protests.

The students persisted with their sit-ins and expanded to additional venues, but on February 27, they encountered violence, leading to 81 arrests. After refusing to pay a $50 fine, they spent over 30 days in jail. Woolworth has since been transformed into Woolworth on 5th (a theater), which features a historical marker at its entrance.

Music has long been a fundamental aspect of Black culture, influencing major genres and musical movements. The National Museum of African American Music showcases the journey of music from hymns and Negro spirituals to folk, bluegrass, jazz, and contemporary hip-hop.

Discover the trailblazers of these musical styles while creating your own personalized playlist. You can also enjoy a dance room and a recording studio during your visit.

To explore tours focusing on Black history in Nashville, make reservations through United Street Tours.

Kansas City, Missouri

The heart of Black culture in Kansas City lies in the historic 18th and Vine neighborhood, famously known as the jazz district. During a time when Black residents faced housing discrimination, this area flourished with thriving Black-owned businesses, including medical practices, churches, restaurants, and hotels, creating a vibrant and self-sustaining community. This legacy of resilience and success continues today through various cultural events and entertainment.

The Black Archives of Mid-America showcases the significant contributions of Black individuals in the region through diverse exhibits and artifacts. As part of the Equal Justice Initiative, it features a memorial honoring Black Americans who were lynched in Missouri. The building itself was formerly Firehouse No. 11, the first Black fire station in Kansas City.

The Mutual Musicians Foundation, now recognized on the National Register of Historic Places, was established in 1917 as a sanctuary for Black musicians. It served as a safe haven where they could rehearse and collaborate. Today, musicians still gather here on weekends for late-night jam sessions.

Discover the rich history and impact of jazz in Kansas City at the American Jazz Museum. This interactive experience allows you to explore the legacies of iconic jazz musicians like Charlie Parker, Jay McShann, and Pearl Bailey. You can even experiment with your own jazz creations in the interactive mixing rooms, and enjoy live performances at the Blue Room throughout the week.

Baseball, often hailed as America's favorite pastime, was not always as diverse as it is today. It wasn't until April 1947 that Major League Baseball welcomed its first Black player, Jackie Robinson, who made his debut at first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers.

The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City honors legendary players like Jackie Robinson and Satchel Paige, located just a few blocks from the YMCA, where the Negro League was established in 1920. Experience the tales of baseball's unsung heroes and legends through interactive displays, artifacts, and the Hall of Fame locker room.

New Orleans

From the vibrant rhythms of jazz to the rich flavors of Creole cuisine, Black culture is deeply woven into the fabric of the bayou, with The George & Leah McKenna Museum of African American Art being a perfect starting point. This museum features a private collection of documents, artifacts, and art that highlights Black excellence from the 18th century to today.

Another must-visit is Le Musée de f.p.c., a historic house museum dedicated to preserving the narrative and material culture of free people of color, making it one of the few attractions focused exclusively on this important aspect of history.

Le Musée de f.p.c, also part of the McKenna family’s legacy, showcases a collection of documents, paintings, and decorative arts that both interpret and preserve the rich history and culture of free people of African descent in New Orleans and across the nation.

Don’t miss Congo Square, formerly known as Place de Nègres, a historic site that served as a gathering spot for enslaved individuals who, on their day off Sundays, would sell goods, sing, and play music.

No visit to New Orleans is complete without indulging in its renowned cuisine, which influences recipes worldwide. Dooky Chase's Restaurant, which opened in 1941 as a sandwich shop, quickly became a hub for civil rights, music, entertainment, and culture.

Leah Chase, hailed as the Queen of Creole Cuisine, transformed the eatery into one of the first African American fine dining establishments in the U.S. By showcasing the work of Black artists on its walls, Dooky Chase's also became the first art gallery for Black artists in New Orleans.

Greensboro, North Carolina

Founded in 1891, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University is the leading historically Black college in the U.S., known for its profound legacy and pivotal role in the civil rights movement for African Americans.

On February 1, 1960, Jibreel Khazan (then Ezell Blair Jr.), Franklin McCain, Joseph McNeil, and David Richmond — four freshman students at A&T — sparked a series of sit-in demonstrations. Their protest at Woolworth's, where they occupied a whites-only lunch counter, led to them being recognized as the A&T Four, inspiring a wave of similar actions that were instrumental in ending segregation in North Carolina and beyond, including the notable sit-in in Nashville on February 13.

The location has since become a historic site, now home to the International Civil Rights Center & Museum, which describes itself as "an innovative social justice educational organization committed to enhancing the understanding and promotion of civil and human rights locally and globally."

Within the wooded grounds of Guilford College lies a path known as the Greensboro Underground Railroad, where many sought freedom. Visitors can embark on a self-guided tour to walk the route to the Underground Railroad Tree, simulating the journey of fugitives aided by abolitionists and local African Americans, both free and enslaved.

In 1949, The Historic Magnolia House, previously known as the Daniel D. DeButts House, welcomed Black travelers, believed to be one of the few hotels offering accommodations for African Americans between Richmond, Virginia, and Atlanta during the Jim Crow era. This hotel, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was featured in six editions of Victor Hugo Green's "Green Book" and is thought to be the only surviving Green Book hotel still operating in North Carolina.

Notable figures such as Duke Ellington, James Baldwin, Tina Turner, and Ray Charles all stayed at the hotel during their performances and travels in the region. Today, the hotel offers lodging, brunch, and hosts special events.

Los Angeles

One remarkable figure is Jewel Thais-Williams, a trailblazing nightclub owner who established Jewel's Catch One bar in Los Angeles in 1973. Her venue became a "hub for gay Black life," providing a sanctuary where individuals could express themselves freely during a time when police targeted people for their sexual orientation. Although the establishment has evolved over the years, it remains open today.

In Los Angeles, The African American Firefighter Museum honors Black firefighters, notably Sam Haskins, who made history as the first fireman of African descent hired in Los Angeles in 1892. Featuring a collection of documents, gear, artifacts, photographs, and narratives, the AAFFM stands as the nation’s first and only freestanding museum dedicated to African American firefighters.

No visit to the City of Angels would be complete without a stop at Watts Coffee House, which aims to revive the spirit of the historic Watts Happening Coffee House.

Watts Happening emerged as a cultural hub for artists and activists after the Watts Rebellion in 1965, a response to the arrest of a Black man by white police that led to widespread destruction in the area. The current coffee shop, located just across from the original site, carries forward the legacy of Watts Happening.

New York City

Beginning as a modest luncheonette with just six booths and 15 stools in 1962, the iconic Harlem restaurant Sylvia's is run by its namesake, Sylvia Woods, revered as the Queen of Soul Food. Attracting food enthusiasts, politicians, celebrities, and media attention, this establishment has remained a cornerstone of the Black community.

Renowned African American poet and author Langston Hughes is celebrated as a key figure of the Harlem Renaissance. His residence, where he spent the final two decades crafting many of his beloved literary pieces, is now a registered historic landmark in Harlem.

Open for public tours and viewings, Hughes' former home also hosts the I, Too, Arts Collective, a nonprofit dedicated to fostering creativity within underrepresented communities.

Another must-visit is the legendary Apollo Theater, which welcomed Black audiences starting in 1934. It hosted weekly talent shows and launched the careers of some of the world’s most celebrated entertainers, including Marvin Gaye and James Brown. Guests can still enjoy live performances and events at this iconic venue.

New Jersey

New Jersey's significance in Black history traces back to the 1600s when the first enslaved Africans were brought to the mid-Atlantic region by colonial settlers.

Today, the Black Heritage Trail spans across New Jersey, highlighting historical landmarks and honoring the contributions of both past and present residents.

Key locations along the trail include the Scotch Hills Country Club, now known as Shady Rest, which was the first Black-owned golf and country club in the U.S. In northern New Jersey, you'll find the Bethel Church of Morristown, established in 1843, recognized as the first Black church in the area. The trail also features museums and Black-owned restaurants and businesses throughout the state.

The narrative of abolitionist Harriet Tubman is rich and complex, with Cape May playing a vital role. Known for its beaches, boardwalks, and Victorian architecture, it is here that Tubman lived and worked to aid enslaved individuals on their journey to freedom.

The Harriet Tubman Museum chronicles her life, her contributions in Cape May, and her journeys. You can also embark on an Underground Railroad Trolley Tour around Cape May to delve into the area's history and learn how enslaved individuals navigated treacherous waters using the Cape May lighthouse as a landmark.

Providence

You might not associate Rhode Island with Black history, but the state's capital, Providence, holds many untold stories. The self-guided Providence Walks Early Black History Tour highlights these significant sites.

At the Providence Gazette, you can view historical advertisements that offered enslaved people for sale, alongside those seeking help in capturing runaway slaves. This site effectively underscores Providence's role in perpetuating slavery through the influence of media.

A highlight of the tour is a visit to the Mount Hope Sharing Garden, which honors both enslaved and free Black farmers from Rhode Island. Here, you can discover how their crops contributed to their survival long after emancipation.

Another significant stop on the tour is the Snowtown Riot Plaque, commemorating the five individuals who lost their lives in 1831 when a white mob ravaged Black neighborhoods in Providence for four days.

Seattle

The history of Black Americans in Washington state traces back to around 1845 when George W. Bush from Missouri, along with his wife Isabella and their five children (alongside several other families), settled in what is now known as Bush Prairie in southern Puget Sound. African Americans continued to migrate to the state, many of whom were recruited for jobs in coal mines.

Over the years, the increase of Black residents in the region has also stemmed from immigration from African nations such as Ethiopia, Sudan, and Somalia.

Dedicated to illustrating the "evolution of its Black community" in the Pacific Northwest, the Northwest African American Museum chronicles the area's Black history, present, and future through various art forms, artifacts, and exhibitions.

As the population expanded throughout the centuries, the influence of African Americans on music also flourished.

From the early to mid-1900s, the city boasted a vibrant jazz scene, serving as the launching pad for legends like Ernestine Anderson and Ray Charles. Venues like Dimitriou's Jazz Alley and The Royal Room pay homage to the local artists, capturing the soulful spirit of that era's clubs.

Located in Greenwood Memorial Park cemetery, the Jimi Hendrix Memorial honors the life of the iconic musician and guitarist who called Seattle his home.

Key Takeaway

Understanding American history is incomplete without revealing the complexities and truths of Black history. From the aftermath of enslavement to the establishment of thriving communities in cities nationwide, the rich narratives of struggle and triumph are intricately woven into the fabric of the U.S.

Throughout February and beyond, these stories deserve to be highlighted and celebrated. To explore further, consider visiting a location on the U.S. Civil Rights Trail or checking out The Black Experience website.