10 Sites to Visit to Learn More About Black History and Culture
In February (and beyond!), tour these museums, parks and learning centers for an enlightening journey to the past.
Black history is American history. In fact, the Black experience is central to the foundation of this country. Since the first ships carrying enslaved Africans came to the shores of Virginia in 1619, Black history has been woven into the fabric of American life.
That’s why people looking to learn about Black history can find places with significance and relevance in just about any state across America. If you're looking for a place to travel this February, we suggest some of these best places throughout the United States that will help you learn more about Black history — perfect for Black History Month (and beyond!). After all, seeking enlightenment is always a good excuse to take a trip. You can pack up the family or take a solo adventure on your quest for knowledge and reflection.
From state-of-the-art museums to historic sites, this roundup of recommendations will educate, inspire and in some cases, provide a sense of connection and deep reverence.
While it’s no secret that America’s past has dark roots, Black history isn’t just about oppression. It’s multifaceted, which means there are unpleasant aspects, but joyous and monumental ones as well. This list includes a variety of places where people can celebrate and honor Black history across the board.
Can’t make it to any of these places? Don’t worry. You can read these books by Black authors or watch one of the best Black TV shows to celebrate and gain insight into Black history and culture all month long without leaving your house.
National Museum of African American History and Culture, Washington, D.C.
The doors to this long-awaited Smithsonian museum opened in the fall of 2016. Located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., this sprawling 105,000-square-ft exhibit space is “the only national museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, history and culture,” according to its website.
Through interactive exhibitions, guests are invited to explore and revel in the history. To date, it has collected more than 40,000 artifacts, including a weatherboard-clad cabin used during slavery at Point of Pines Plantation in South Carolina, a 44-seat segregated passenger railway car and a Neon sign used on the popular Soul Train TV show, to name a few.
After taking in all the rich culture and history, be sure to leave space for a delightful meal. The museum also boasts a noteworthy restaurant called Sweet Home Café, which serves soul food and southern comfort classics like mac-and-cheese, potato salad and collard greens.
Civil Rights Trail, Various U.S. States
Want to see some of the most significant places integral to the Civil Rights Movement? This unique experience allows interested visitors to literally walk in the footsteps of social justice activists and pioneers. This national trail spans 15 states and includes more than 100 sites.
From parks and plazas to churches and birthplaces of beloved changemakers, this multi-state trail makes it easy to track prominent landmarks and locations that were pivotal to advancing social justice in the 1950s and 1960s. Some of the most popular sites include the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, The Brown Vs Board of Education Historic Park and the Ebenezer Baptist Church.
Underground Railroad Heritage Center, Niagara Falls, NY
There’s more than awe-inspiring waterfalls and vibrant rainbows in Niagara Falls. It’s also home to many important sites and locations that played a part in the freedom of many enslaved African Americans. The Heritage Center helps tell the untold stories of those freedom seekers and the brave abolitionists who helped in their emancipation.
The permanent exhibition, “One More River to Cross,” highlights modern connections to this history and invites visitors to consider their own choices when faced with limited freedoms.
National Museum of African American Music, Nashville, TN
Visiting this museum will be music to the ears of those who are eager to learn about the innumerable contributions Black people have made in music and their undeniable influence on American music.
With six curated galleries featuring artifacts, memorabilia, photographs, and other rare objects associated with the genres Black people helped create (blues, jazz, gospel, R&B and hip hop), this 56,000-square-foot institution takes visitors on an unforgettable historical tour.
By integrating history and technology, the museum creates an interactive experience that connects the past to the present one beat at time.
California African American Museum, Los Angeles, CA
This free-to-enter museum is a must for those seeking mixed-media reflections, past and present. Located in the Exposition Park, the museum’s permanent collection boasts more than 5,000 objects ranging from the 1800s to today.
The museum’s upcoming exhibit, “World Without End: The George Washington Carver Project,” will feature the pioneering plant-based engineer’s laboratory equipment, paint samples, giving visitors great insights into his legacy and groundbreaking accomplishments.
International African American Museum, Charleston, SC
This newly opened museum sits on hallowed ground, as it is built at the site of disembarkation for more than half of all enslaved Africans upon their forced entry into North America. Its goal is to illuminate the African American experience across generations through the lens of transforming trauma into triumph.
The crown jewel of this institution is the African Ancestors Memorial Garden, which expands beneath the entire site of the museum. Free and open to the public, it’s a community space where visitors can rest, reflect and gather.
The grounds are sacred, and the landscape and design reflect that sanctity and tells a story of its own. For example, one of the garden’s most defining elements includes its Tide Tribute. According to its website, the exhibit “is grounded in relief figures, each representative of a man, woman or child who laid shackled in the bellies of ships that were once anchored steps away in Charleston Harbor. As the tide changes, the shallow pool of water fills and empties, covering and revealing the shapes of those it honors.”
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, New York, NY
One of New York Public Library’s notable research libraries, the Schomburg Center is a repository for elusive archives and resources. Located in Harlem, it is “a world-leading cultural institution devoted to the research, preservation and exhibition of materials focused on African American, African Diaspora, and African experiences,” according to its website.
Past exhibits include “Beloved: African American Portraits from the Dawn of Photography,” a showcase of images of the oldest photographs in their collection, created between 1840 and 1870 and “Been Seen,” which highlighted the work of Harlem-based photographer Austin Hansen.
DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center, Chicago, IL
Founded more than 60 years ago, this center is the nation’s first independent museum dedicated to preserving Black history. Named after Jean Baptiste Point DuSable, who is regarded as the first non-Native person to settle in what would become Chicago — the Smithsonian affiliate is a trusted destination for exploration of Black history, culture and experiences across the Diaspora.
Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, Kansas City, MO
Since Black people were not afforded most basic rights during the Jim Crow era, playing professional sports was no exception. The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum highlights the groundbreaking strides and contributions African Americans like Jackie Robinson and Buck O’Neil made to the sport.
According to its website, it’s the “world’s only museum dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich history of African American baseball and its impact on the social advancements of America.” For baseball enthusiasts, checking out this Missouri-based museum is a must.
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, Detroit, MI
Detroit is a good destination to get a good dose of Black history. From Motown to the final resting place of Civil Rights pioneer Rosa Parks, the Motor City is teeming with sites and institutions where African American heritage abounds.
The museum boasts more than 35,000 artifacts, including exhibits that showcase the Black experience — past and present. For example, one of its permanent exhibits, "And Still We Rise," gives visitors a comprehensive look at their resilience from the Middle Passage and beyond. In addition, now through March 31, 2024, visitors can see two-time Academy Award winner Ruth E. Carter's "Afrofuturism in Costume Design," an installation where her iconic costumes from Black Panther and Do the Right Thing are on display.
Karla Pope is a longtime writer, editor and blogger with more than two decades of editorial experience. She’s written for a variety of outlets including Good Housekeeping, Woman’s Day, Travel + Leisure, Tripadvisor, People, Parade and more. Her coverage includes travel, lifestyle, entertainment and wellness content. When she's not exploring the world with her family, you can find her curled up on the couch watching a documentary and eating gummy bears.
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