Celebrate Black History Month at Nine Exciting Historic Events And Destinations
(Washington, D.C.) – Throughout February, Americans will commemorate Black History Month by highlighting the accomplishments of African-Americans throughout history. In celebration, the Civil War Trust – a national battlefield preservation organization – recommends nine activities at historic attractions nationwide.
February 1-28: Audacious Freedom at the African American Museum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Visit the African American Museum for their permanent exhibit entitled “Audacious Freedom: African Americans in Philadelphia 1776-1876”. The exhibit recounts the stories of people of African descent in Philadelphia during the tumultuous years following the foundation of our nation. More information: aampmuseum.org
February 1-28: Slavery and Freedom Exhibit at NMAAHC, Washington, D.C.
Celebrate Black History Month by visiting the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, the only national museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, history, and culture. The museum currently houses an exhibition exploring the complex story of slavery and freedom in the United States, ending with the Civil War and Reconstruction. More information: nmaahc.si.edu
February 4: Black History Month Celebration at Belle Grove, Middletown, Virginia
Join Belle Grove Plantation and the Warren-Page Branch of the NAACP for celebratory music and a 30-minute program by a Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park ranger. The park grounds include Cedar Creek Battlefield, the site of the 1864 Civil War Battle. More information: bellegrove.org
February 4-26: Black History Month Programs at Stones River, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Though the Battle of Stones River lasted only a few days, African Americans were critical in shaping the landscape before, during, and after the Civil War. On selected days in February, rangers will share these stories in a series of 30-minute talks. More information: nps.gov/stri
February 11: Native Guards Battlefield Tour at Port Hudson, Jackson, Louisiana
The Siege of Port Hudson, Louisiana was the final engagement in the Union campaign to recapture the Mississippi during the Civil War. In honor of Black History Month, the site will offer a guided tour to the Louisiana Native Guard battlefield, where the First and Third Louisiana Native Guard regiments fought a historic battle on May 27, 1863. More information: crt.state.la.us/louisiana-state-parks
February 11: Dr. W.E.B. Du Bois Discussion at St. Paul’s Church, Mount Vernon, New York
Prof. Mark Christian will explore the life, writings, and work of Dr. Du Bois, the first black scholar to achieve a Ph.D. from Harvard University. Du Bois devoted 70 years to advancing the rights and representation of African Americans. The discussion will take place at Saint Paul’s Church National Historic Site, a church used as a hospital following the Revolutionary War Battle at Pell's Point in 1776. More information: nps.gov/sapa
February 12: Black History Month Ranger Program at Shiloh, Corinth, Mississippi
Shiloh National Military Park will offer a special ranger program entitled “Ahead of Their Time – The Integration of U.S. Military in Corinth”. The program will explore the 1st Alabama Heavy Artillery who served extended details with two white artillery units in Corinth during the Civil War. More information: nps.gov/shil
February 18: Lift Every Voice at the National Civil War Naval Museum, Columbus, Georgia
The National Civil War Naval Museum will commemorate Black History Month with a unique guided tour and program. This program offers patrons a variety of stories that highlight the Navy experience through the eyes of African American nurses, pilots, sailors, and engineers. More information: portcolumbus.org
February 19: Colonel Washington and Me at Morristown, Morristown, New Jersey
In honor of Black History Month, Washington’s Headquarters Museum at Morristown National Historic Park will host author Jeff Finegan for a discussion of George Washington’s bond with William Lee, the servant he ultimately freed. Morristown was the site of the 1779-80 winter encampment of the Continental Army under Washington. More information: nps.gov/morr
For more events, check the National Park Service events calendar at findyourpark.com, visit your state park website or search for museums and historic sites near you.
The Civil War Trust is the largest and most effective nonprofit organization devoted to the preservation of America’s hallowed battlegrounds. Although primarily focused on the protection of Civil War battlefields, through its Campaign 1776 initiative the Trust also seeks to save the battlefields connected to the Revolutionary War and War of 1812. To date, the Trust has preserved close to 45,000 acres of battlefield land in 23 states.
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The Civil War Preservation Trust became the Civil War Trust in January 2011; the Civil War Trust became a division of the American Battlefield Trust in May 2018. Campaign 1776 was created in 2014 as an initiative of the Civil War Trust; in May 2018 it became the Revolutionary War Trust, a division of the American Battlefield Trust.
