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African American History (Teaching with Historic Places)

Teaching with Historic Places (TwHP) uses historic places in National Parks and in the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places to enliven history, social studies, geography, civics, and other subjects. TwHP has created a variety of products and activities that help teachers bring historic places into the classroom.

Here you’ll find place-based educational resources relating to African American history and culture. Discover more resources at the Teaching with Historic Places homepage.

Lesson Plans by Era

Greyscale photo of a two story building

Early American Pre-1860

Lesson plans related to African American history prior to 1860.

Men standing in a field around a cannon in Civil War uniforms

Civil War and Reconstruction 1861-1877

Lessons related to African American history of the Civil War and Reconstruction era, 1861 to 1877.

Several African American children in an old style school room with a wood stove in the middle.

Gilded Age 1878-1900

Lessons related to African American history from 1878 to 1900

Grey scale image of large naval boats in a harbor

Early 20th Century 1901-1940

Lessons related to African American history during the early 20th century 1901 to 1940

Grey Scale photo of men in uniform lined up infront of a wall standing in 4 rows

World War II Era 1941-1960

Lessons relating to African American history from 1941 to 1960

Large group of people marching down a street holding signs

Civil Rights and Black Power 1961-1975

Lesson plans related to African American history from 1961 to 1975

Lesson Series

Black man being attacked in the street while people run to intervene

Claiming Civil Rights

The lesson plans in this series guide students through conversations about how people claimed civil rights for themselves and for others.

Greyscale photo of a farmhouse in front of a large group of trees

Conversations about Legacies of Slavery

The lesson plans in this series guide students through conversations about the history and injustices of slavery in the U.S.

Black and white image of children sitting in a classroom with a stove in the center

Civil Rights and Public Education

The lesson plans in this series guide students through conversations about school segregation and the struggles for desegregation.

Curiosity Kits

Bayard Rustin, a black man in a suit sitting at a desk next to another man

Curiosity Kit: Bayard Rustin

This kit focuses on Bayard Rustin, an important figure of the Civil Rights Movement.

a group of people standing in front of a field

Curiosity Kit: American Aviation History

This kit focuses on the history of American aviation with a focus on the contributions of women and African Americans.

woman in 50s dress in front of an old IBM computer

Curiosity Kit Black Women Mathematicians

This kit focuses on the African American women who played a critical role in the Space Race.

large group of men relaxing at a camp in a wild field

Curiosity Kit: Black Cowpokes

This kit focuses on the history of Black cowboys and cowgirls.

mural of all black baseball team painted on side of a baseball field

Curiosity Kit: Black Baseball Players

This kit focuses on the history of Black baseball. Learn about places associated with famous African American players.

sepia image of a black family in Victorian dress

Curiosity Kit: Ida B Wells

This kit focuses on the life and work of journalist and activist Ida B. Wells.

Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. standing in a crowd

Curiosity Kit: Malcolm X

This kit focuses on the life and work of Malcolm Little, also known as Malcolm X.

black and white portrait of a woman

Curiosity Kit: Mary Ann Shadd Cary

This kit focuses on the life and legacy of journalist, abolitionist, and lawyer Mary Ann Shadd Cary.

sepia toned image of a woman in 1920s dress

Curiosity Kit: Mary Church Terrell

This kit focuses on the life and legacy of Mary Church Terrell, a women’s rights and Black civil rights activist.

A group of women in victorian dress holding a banner

Curiosity Kit: Nannie Helen Burroughs

This kit focuses on the life and work of Nannie Helen Burroughs, a suffragist and early Black civil rights activist.

collage of many different historical portraits connected together on a chain

All Curiosity Kits

All Curiosity Kits, including other topics found here

Tags: african american, african american civil rights, african american history, african american education, educational curriculum, education, education programs, african-american women, african american early 20th century, black history, african american soldiers, african american women, african american sites, national register of historic places, nrhp listing, national historic landmark, teaching with historic places, twhp, civil rights

Last updated: June 13, 2023