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Historic Places to Visit in D.C. During Black History Month

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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Howard chapter.

There’s a lot to see in the capital with history on almost every corner, here are some must-see historical places during Black History Month: 

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Established in 2003, the National Museum of African American History and Culture opened in 2016 with a ceremony led by President Barack Obama. With so many exhibitions and collections to explore, you are bound to learn so much from this experience. They also have events going on all month like Meditation Mondays, and Explore More! In STEM, and Virtual Art Shop. 

Location: 1400 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20560

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial

Located in West Potomac Park, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial is a four-acre site carved by Lei Yixin, a Chinese sculptor. The address of the memorial was modeled after the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and celebrates King’s legacy and the fight for freedom, equality, and justice. 

Location: 1964 Independence Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

Frederick Douglass National Historic Site

The Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, located on Cedar Hill, is one of the most popular history tourist locations. The site has guided tours, one of their more popular offering, and encourages visitors to make reservations ahead of time. Frederick Douglass lived his last 17 years on this site and a tour great way to learn more about him is to visit the place where his legacy is preserved. 

Location: 1411 W St. SE, Washington, D.C. 20020

Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site

This National Historic Site was the first headquarters for the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW). It was also home to Mary McLeod Bethune, an African American educator and philanthropist. As part of the Logan Circle Historic District, the National Park Service rangers offer tours, a great way to learn more about Mary McLeod Bethune and the NCNW.  

Location: 1318 Vermont Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20005

Smithsonian National Museum of African Art

Located on the National Mall, the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art has the most beautiful traditional and contemporary art from Africa. These exhibitions dive deep into the history of Black culture. There are special events throughout the year and tickets are not required. 

Location: 950 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, D.C. 20560

All these locations are easily accessible through public transportation and admission is free. During this Black History Month, make an adventure out of learning more about African American culture and visit some of these amazing places. 

My name is Darby Mutagoma, and I am a topic editor and a part of the content team, writing for the Howard chapter of Her Campus. My article topics are usually in the culture, entertainment, life, and style categories. I am a sophomore at THE Howard University and an honors psychology major and sociology minor from Freeport, Maine, by way of Kigali, Rwanda. Beyond Her Campus, I am the secretary for the Sigma Tau Delta International English Honor Society, Theta Theta Chapter, where we promote the beauty of English and writing on local campuses and surrounding communities. I am also in the Cultural Socialization Lab, focusing on the socialization of children and their development, and I am a part of the College of Arts and Sciences Honors Program. You can also find me at the Howard Psychology Club and the Howard African Student Association meetings. My hobbies include singing, reading, and my favorite, writing. Being able to express my ideas and thoughts through Her Campus is so special to me. I hope you enjoy my stories and articles and thank you so much for reading!! 💗