National Capital Parks – East is hosting a variety of events for Black History Month. These parks include Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site, and Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site. Take a look at the special events and programs taking place below and consider attending one.
2026 Black History Month Events Schedule
Events take place throughout the month of February. Click on each event below on the event calendar for more details.
Featured Events
Celebrating 100 Years of Black History
When:Saturday, February 7, 2026 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Where: Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library: 901 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20001
Cost: Free
Reservations: None Required. Check in at the National Park Service table in the lobby and rangers will direct you to the program location in the library.
Drop-in youth and family activities exploring Dr. Carter G. Woodson and Negro History Week, featuring an appearance by actor Dexter Hamlet as Dr. Woodson.
Frederick Douglass 208th Birthday Celebration
When: Saturday, February 14, 2026 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Where: Capital Turnaround: 770 M St SE (entrance on 7th St), Washington, DC 20003
Cost: Free
Reservations are not required
A 1.5-hour program featuring music by the Jubilee Voices of the Washington Revels, performances by student winners of the Frederick Douglass Oratorical Contest, keynote remarks by Jeffrey Rosen (author of The Pursuit of Happiness and President & CEO of the Constitution Center), and Black History Month Jeopardy with audience participation.
Walk with Woodson
When: Saturday, February 21, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Where: Mary McLeod Bethune Council House NHS: 1318 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20005
Cost: Free
Reservations: Email us to RSVP
A longstanding DC tradition held only one day during Black History Month, visitors will literally “walk” with “Dr. Woodson,” creator of Black History month, through the same neighborhoods that inspired him 100 years ago. Actor Dexter Hamlett and NPS Rangers will regal visitors with stories and first-person accounts from the nation’s capital that both Dr. Woodson and Mary McLeod Bethune called home.
Fort Washington Park Black History Month Tours
When: Every weekend in February at 2:00 pm
Where: 13551 Fort Washington Road, Fort Washington, MD
Cost: Free
Reservations are not required. Fort Washington has no entrance fee and has free on-site parking.
Special 45-minute, ranger led tours of Fort Washington that highlight the role of African Americans in the fort’s history. Tours examines the use of enslaved labor to build the fort, the importance of freedom seekers during the war of 1812 and the Civil War as well as the rise of African Americans in the US Army during the 19th & 20th centuries.
Social Media
Follow the historic homes in National Capital Parks – East on social media to stay involved and learn more about the legacies of each individual highlighted during the events. Go to park websites to learn more about when and how you can tour National Historic Sites.
Frederick Douglass National Historic Site: Facebook, Website
Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site: Facebook, Website
Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site: Facebook, Website
