Washington, D.C. African American Heritage Trail
Learn about the people and places that shaped our city as you explore the African American Heritage Trail, Washington, DC. From Benjamin Banneker's essential role in the survey of the District, to the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech at the Lincoln Memorial, you'll find the latest historical research and intriguing information.
The African American Heritage Trail, Washington DC identifies more than 200 sites that are important in local and national history and culture.
To nominate a site for inclusion, access our criteria and application form here.
The entire trail consists of over 200 sites. Of those sites, 100 are marked with plaques. Our free trail booklet, available in print and in PDF form below, explores 98 of these sites in detail.
Plaques added recently mark:
• Engine Company No. 4, DC's first all-black fire company
• Vermont Avenue Baptist Church, founded in 1866 by former slaves
• the home of Howard D. Woodson, one of DC's influential architects and community leaders
• Washington Conservatory of Music, one of DC's earliest arts institutions
The free booklet, illustrated with maps and photos, and organized into 15 neighborhood walking tours, covers 98 sites. The FIFTH PRINTING is now available at select locations, listed below. Stay tuned for our press release and additional distribution locations.
African American Civil War Museum, 1925 Vermont Avenue, NW
Charles Sumner School, 1201 Seventh Street, NW
DC Archives, 1300 Naylor Court, NW
DC Historical Society at Carnegie Library, 801 K Street, NW
Events DC, at Washington Convention Center, 801 Mt. Vernon Place, NW
Founders Library and Moorland-Spingarn Research Center, Howard University
Frederick Douglass Historic Site, 2427 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, SE
Georgetown Library, Peabody Room, 3260 R Street, NW
Howard University Gallery of Art
Martin Luther King Jr. Public Library, 901 G Street, NW, Washingtoniana Division
Mary McLeod Bethune Council House, 1318 Vermont Ave, NW
National Council of Negro Women Headquarters, 633 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Thurgood Marshall Center for Service and Heritage, 1816 12th Street, NW
U Street Visitors Center, 1211 U Street, NW, second floor
Download the PDF here.
THE AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE TRAILS BY NEIGHBORHOOD:
Brightwood, African American Heritage Trail
Brookland, African American Heritage Trail
Capitol Hill, African American Heritage Trail
Deanwood & Mayfair, African American Heritage Trail
Downtown, African American Heritage Trail
Dupont Circle & Strivers' Section, African American Heritage Trail
Georgetown, African American Heritage Trail
Greater U Street, African American Heritage Trail
Howard University, African American Heritage Trail
LeDroit Park, African American Heritage Trail
Logan Circle, African American Heritage Trail
Mount Vernon Square & Shaw, African American Heritage Trail
National Mall, African American Heritage Trail
Northeast, African American Heritage Trail
Northwest, African American Heritage Trail
Old Anacostia & Hillsdale, African American Heritage Trail
Southeast, African American Heritage Trail
Southwest, African American Heritage Trail
Waterfront/Southwest DC, African American Heritage Trail
The African American Heritage Trail, Washington DC identifies more than 200 sites that are important in local and national history and culture.
To nominate a site for inclusion, access our criteria and application form here.
The entire trail consists of over 200 sites. Of those sites, 100 are marked with plaques. Our free trail booklet, available in print and in PDF form below, explores 98 of these sites in detail.
Plaques added recently mark:
• Engine Company No. 4, DC's first all-black fire company
• Vermont Avenue Baptist Church, founded in 1866 by former slaves
• the home of Howard D. Woodson, one of DC's influential architects and community leaders
• Washington Conservatory of Music, one of DC's earliest arts institutions
The free booklet, illustrated with maps and photos, and organized into 15 neighborhood walking tours, covers 98 sites. The FIFTH PRINTING is now available at select locations, listed below. Stay tuned for our press release and additional distribution locations.
African American Civil War Museum, 1925 Vermont Avenue, NW
Charles Sumner School, 1201 Seventh Street, NW
DC Archives, 1300 Naylor Court, NW
DC Historical Society at Carnegie Library, 801 K Street, NW
Events DC, at Washington Convention Center, 801 Mt. Vernon Place, NW
Founders Library and Moorland-Spingarn Research Center, Howard University
Frederick Douglass Historic Site, 2427 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, SE
Georgetown Library, Peabody Room, 3260 R Street, NW
Howard University Gallery of Art
Martin Luther King Jr. Public Library, 901 G Street, NW, Washingtoniana Division
Mary McLeod Bethune Council House, 1318 Vermont Ave, NW
National Council of Negro Women Headquarters, 633 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Thurgood Marshall Center for Service and Heritage, 1816 12th Street, NW
U Street Visitors Center, 1211 U Street, NW, second floor
Download the PDF here.
THE AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE TRAILS BY NEIGHBORHOOD:
Brightwood, African American Heritage Trail
Brookland, African American Heritage Trail
Capitol Hill, African American Heritage Trail
Deanwood & Mayfair, African American Heritage Trail
Downtown, African American Heritage Trail
Dupont Circle & Strivers' Section, African American Heritage Trail
Georgetown, African American Heritage Trail
Greater U Street, African American Heritage Trail
Howard University, African American Heritage Trail
LeDroit Park, African American Heritage Trail
Logan Circle, African American Heritage Trail
Mount Vernon Square & Shaw, African American Heritage Trail
National Mall, African American Heritage Trail
Northeast, African American Heritage Trail
Northwest, African American Heritage Trail
Old Anacostia & Hillsdale, African American Heritage Trail
Southeast, African American Heritage Trail
Southwest, African American Heritage Trail
Waterfront/Southwest DC, African American Heritage Trail