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Want to explore this topic in person? The parks below offer a first-hand opportunity to discover more stories, people, and places.

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Park Connections

Biographer for Lincoln
Carl Sandburg Home NHS

Carl Sandburg was a poet, historian, and supporter of the Civil Rights Movement who won three Pulitzer prizes and a Grammy.
The Father of Black History
Carter G. Woodson Home NHS

Called “the father of Black History,” Dr. Woodson used his DC home as the headquarters for what is now known ASALH.
Writing for Rights
Dayton Aviation Heritage NHP

Paul Lawrence and Alice Ruth Moore Dunbar wrote poetry, essays, and newspaper columns advocating for civil rights.
Creator of Detective Literature
Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site

Edgar Allan Poe influenced the genres of dark romanticism, science fiction, and Gothic fiction, as well as future authors.
Land of the Free
Fort McHenry NM and HS

Francis Scott Key was a poet who wrote the “Star Spangled Banner” while being held hostage by the British during the War of 1812.
Fighting for Equality and Justice
Frederick Douglass NHS

Frederick Douglass was one of the nation's most influential abolitionist, orator, and authors advocating for civil rights.
The Father of the National Parks
John Muir National Historic Site

John Muir’s work as a naturalist, author, environmentalist, and botanist greatly influenced the creation of several parks.
America’s Gentle Fellow
Longfellow House-Washington's HQ NHS

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, best known for "Paul Revere's Ride" and "The Song of Hiawatha," was a poet and abolitionist.
REFORMING LABOR
Lowell National Historical Park

Sarah Bagley was the first female telegraph operator and the president of the Lowell Female Labor Reform Association.
Spreading the Word
Klondike Gold Rush NHP

Tappan Adney brought the gold rush home to many people through his first-hand accounts published in Harper’s Weekly articles.
Mary McLeod Bethune Council House NHS

Bethune achieved her greatest recognition at this DC townhouse. It was also the first headquarters of the NCNW.
Father of the American Conservation
Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller NHP

George Perkins Marsh wrote "Man and Nature" to warn against deforestation and the misuse of natural land by humans.
“Enough To Keep You Busy For Life”
Natchez Trace Parkway

Eudora Welty was an author, Mississippi native, and Pulitzer Prize winner who wrote about the Natchez Trace.
A Symbol of Opportunity
Statue of Liberty National Monument

Emma Lazarus worked on Ward Island and wrote “The New Colossus” which is inscribed on the inner wall of the Statue of Liberty.

Homes

“The Poet of the People”
Carl Sandburg Home NHP

Along with writing poetry, being Lincoln’s historian, and performing folk music, Carl Sandburg and his wife operated a goat farm.
Paul Laurence Dunbar House
Dayton Aviation Heritage NHP

A popular African American writer, Paul Laurence Dunbar wrote books of poetry, novels, short stories, and the lyrics to many popular songs.
Rapping at Poe's Chamber Door
Edgar Allen Poe National Historic Site

In this home, creative genius Edgar Allen Poe invented several literary genres and he wrote many of his famous classic short stories.
Activism from Cedar Hill
Frederick Douglass NHS

Abolitionist Frederick Douglass lived at Cedar Hill from 1877 to 1895 and worked to achieve freedom and equality through writing.
“The Father of the NPS"
John Muir National Historic Site

Author, photographer, geologist, botanist, teacher, inventor, and fruit rancher, John Muir is well known for his conservation efforts.
The Perfect Poetic HQ
Longfellow House-Washington’s HQ NHS

Henry W. Longfellow was one of the world’s foremost 19th-century poets and he lived in this house for more than 40 years.