Every February during Black History Month and throughout the year, the National Park Service and our partners share stories, rich culture, and an invitation for all Americans to reflect on Black history in parks and communities across the country. More than 400 years of Black history and heritage—including achievements, contributions, and historical journeys—are remembered and commemorated in places preserved for current and future generations.
Inspired by something you've learned or have a memorable national park experience to share? Join the conversation on social media using #BlackHistoryMonth.
Inspired by something you've learned or have a memorable national park experience to share? Join the conversation on social media using #BlackHistoryMonth.
Black History All Year
When Dr. Carter G. Woodson created what is now Black History Month, he hoped it would encourage the learning and sharing of Black history throughout the year. Find resources to learn, teach, experience, and reflect on Black history and heritage beyond February.
Sharing History & Heritage
Discover Black history and cultural heritage shared in national parks and communities across the country.
Featured Places
The history and heritage of Black Americans are preserved and shared in many parks across the country. Explore some featured places.
Educators Portal
Find distance learning opportunities, lesson plans, and other educational material about history and heritage for all age groups.
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- Duration:
- 4 minutes, 25 seconds
Developed by a group of NPS staff and interns, this film explores the trauma, resilience, and beauty of the African American experience in our country.
Scurlock Studio Records, Archives Center, NMAH, Smithsonian Institution
The Beginnings of Black History Month
Black History Month, or African American History Month, began as a weeklong celebration in 1926. Since the 1890s, Black communities celebrated the birthdays of two people considered to have a big impact on Black history in the US: Abraham Lincoln (February 12) and Frederick Douglass (February 14). In 1915, Dr. Carter G. Woodson was one of many people who traveled to Washington, DC, to participate in a national celebration of the 50th anniversary of nationwide emancipation. He was inspired by experiences from his trip to create an organization to promote the study of Black life and history. Soon after he helped to form what is now known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, the sponsors of Black History Month.
Dr. Woodson dedicated his life to institutionalizing the field of Black history, including by advocating that it be a regular part of formal education. In 1926, he created the celebration of "Negro History Week" during the second week of February timed with the birthdays of Lincoln and Douglass. Dr. Woodson and other advocates provided educational materials each year, such as lesson plans, pictures, scripts for historical performances, and posters. Fifty years later, the weeklong celebration became a month long and has been recognized by presidential proclamation every year since.
Learn more at Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site in Washington, DC.
American Leaders and Innovators
In commemoration of this year’s nationwide Black History Month theme of “African Americans and Labor,” explore a few of the places in the National Park System that share stories of leaders and innovators in their fields. Visit your national parks and discover many more stories that may inspire you.
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Mary McLeod Bethune Council House NHSBethune's impressive decades of civil work that included being a presidential adviser, still impact Americans today.
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Maggie L. Walker NHSAn influential business leader and first African American women to open a bank, Walker found many ways to help her local community rise up.
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Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers NMA West Point graduate, Young became a leading figure in the military and first African American superintendent of a national park.
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George Washington Carver NMBorn into slavery, Carver overcame hardships to become a renowned agricultural innovator and promoted education for African American men.
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Tuskegee InstituteAt a time when higher education options for Black Americans were limited, Booker T. Washington built a school to provide opportunities.
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Dayton Aviation Heritage NHPPaul Lawrence Dunbar was a was a celebrated and prolific American poet and author influential in changing early 20th-century arts.
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Tuskegee Airmen NHSThe first African American military pilots trained in Tuskegee, Alabama, before earning their revered nickname the "Red Tails."
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New Orleans Jazz NHPNew Orleans musicians were in innovating and popularizing jazz music, a creative sound that continues to resonate around the world today.
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Pullman NHPThroughout decades of the country's railroad era, Pullman porters were famous for their trade and for improving conditions of laborers.
What's "Your Park Story"?
Solace, reflection, inspiration, accomplishment, enjoyment, belonging, purpose...What powerful personal connection do you have with a place? Why is it so meaningful to you? Special places of history, nature, and enjoyment are preserved in national parks and communities across the country through our programs and partners. Discover "park" stories from National Park Service staff and partners. Share your park story about a place connected to Black history and heritage on social media using #MyParkStory.
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- Duration:
- 2 minutes, 3 seconds
The promise of freedom sustained those who came to Nicodemus, Kansas. “Building life out of rock-solid faith,” the “Black gem of the frontier” would offer the formerly enslaved a chance to build a home of their own in the United States. Check out this behind the scenes look at poet Sunni Patterson’s spoken word performance of “O Nicodemus.”
"Keeping the Dream Alive"
Listen to readings and reflections at dedication of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial.
"Ranger Reflections: Civil Rights"
Ranger Gill Lyons shares his experience of civil rights in the US through memories of his life and moments at the Lincoln Memorial.
"Scrapbook of River Life"
Mr. Joney Kearse describes his family traditions of Gullah-Geechee fishing using a family scrapbook.
Conservation Diaries: Olf Mouyaka
In this episode of the podcast, Ranger Olf talks about connecting with the community of Lowell, Massachusetts and the impact it had on him.
Making "Twenty & Odd"
A group of National Park Service filmmakers shows what happens when stories are told by the people closest to them.
Capturing Oral History
Valerie Craigwell White shares her perspective on why oral history is important, especially within the African American community.
Calendar of Events
Set the calendar to February to find in-person and virtual events, tours, festivities, and other programs hosted by national parks for Black History Month. Use this calendar to also look ahead to find more Black history and heritage programs throughout the year.
Last updated: February 1, 2025