There is no one best place to visit for Black History Month, but several choices often sit near the top of any list. Typically, the National Museum of African American History & Culture in Washington D.C., the Sweet Auburn Historic District in Atlanta and a collection of locations in Memphis, Tennessee, are strong choices to explore history and learn about the Black experience in America.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
National Museum of African American History & Culture
Washington D.C.
Sitting just northeast of the Washington Monument on the National Mall, this museum has been tasked with sharing the unvarnished truth of African American history and culture throughout American history. Founders compiled some 40,000 artifacts here, all in the name of showcasing the stories that shaped America as we know it today — helping us see how the American values of resiliency, optimism and spirituality are steeped in African American history and culture. From the oppressive chapters of slavery and segregation to the historic Civil Rights movement to the uplifting examples of activism today to every facet of culture in between, trace how the Black experience and the American experience are deeply rooted in one another.
History runs deep in Atlanta, and perhaps nowhere is it richer than the Sweet Auburn Historic District.
Sweet Auburn Historic District
Atlanta, Georgia
This historic district in Atlanta bore witness to its fair share of the Civil Rights movement’s moments; at the time, it was a cultural hub for the African American community at large. Today it’s a park, encompassing plenty of must-see sites.
- The Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park is located within the district. This 35-acre park comprises the birthplace & boyhood home of King, Ebenezer Baptist Church, Freedom Hall, the King Center and a visitor center.
- While Freedom Hall and the King Center are within the park, they are not run by the National Park Service. The King Center was established by King’s widow, Coretta Scott King, and serves to further champion the cause of nonviolent social change. Freedom Hall has an exhibition space honoring the works of King, his wife, Mahatma Gandhi and Rosa Parks.
- Also in the district is the APEX Museum, the oldest Black history museum in Atlanta. The African American Panoramic Experience has been showcasing all things Black history — from the untold story of Africa to the shining examples of African American women in STEM — since 1978.
Memphis has shaped and been shaped by Black culture for decades; retracing history here is incredibly rewarding
Memphis, Tennessee
Multiple Locations
Yet another city shaped by its Black history, Memphis is steeped in a legendary past.
- The neighborhood of Orange Mound was designated as a Preserve America Community by former first lady Michelle Obama. Founded in 1890 at the site of a former plantation, it was one of the city’s first communities built by African Americans. A self-guided tour of the historic district is a satisfying adventure.
- The Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum showcases Memphis’ critical role in music history. Learn about the music and artists of the Mississippi Delta, as well as the area’s two most renowned music labels: Stax and Sun Records.
- Memphis is also home to a tragic chapter of the Civil Rights movement: The Lorraine Hotel was the site of Dr. King’s assassination. Today, the former hotel houses the National Civil Rights Museum. This institution is committed to sharing the stories that changed our nation for the better (and might just inspire you to be a changemaker too).
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