Trail Review: African American History Trail – Washington, DC
In honor of February being Black History Month, we're highlighting a historical trail that honors Black excellence: the American Heritage Trail in D.C. According to Cultural Tourism DC, the 7.5 miles long trail that winds from the southwest to northeast ends of the city is home to 200 sites significant to local and national history and culture.
Along the trail, one can explore the home of Howard D. Woodson, a civil engineer and civic leader who led successful campaigns for better services in neglected African American neighborhoods. The trail also extends to the iconic Lincoln Memorial, where Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. gave his motivational "I Have A Dream" speech and the first all-black firefighting company formed in 1919.
Organizing the trail into 15 distinct neighborhoods and a plethora of information on 98 of the included sites, download the African American History Trail booklet here to learn and explore virtually.
For those in or visiting the D.C.-area, in-person guided tours can be purchased here. As a bonus, at the end of the tour, participants receive a free ticket to explore the Smithsonian's Museum of African American History and Culture.
