Black History Month: Field Trips

Feb 02, 2012

February is Black History Month. One really cool thing your school or family can do is go on a field trip to commemorate the contributions made by African Americans to the United States. You’ll also be honoring the struggles experienced by many African Americans in a really unique and inspiring way!

Crenshaw Wall (Los Angeles, California)

This colorful mural takes up a whole city block. The artwork was started more than 30 years ago by Tony Riddle, who started by scribbling poetry on the side of the wall. His work inspired other artists to express their African pride by painting and writing all along the wall. Check out the colors and the stories, which each reveal a portion of African Americans history.

Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site (Atlanta, Georgia)

Learn about the life and achievements of Martin Luther King Jr. by taking a tour of his birthplace, Sweet Auburn. In case you don’t know, King was a civil rights leader who spread a message of peaceful disobedience. When you tour his home, you’ll get to see a puppet show about the contributions of African Americans leaders to the U.S.

Congo Square (New Orleans, Louisiana

This is the spot where slaves were once bought and sold. Now it’s a symbol of hope and unity, since slaves used the square as a place to gather, dance and sing. Congo Square is still home to theater and dance productions that support African Americans life and achievements.

National Museum Of The Tuskegee Airmen (Detroit, Michigan)

This museum is in Fort Wayne and it honors the African Americans Air Force troops that served in World War Two. Retired Tuskegee Airmen are often there to tell you about their experiences during battle. Plus, you can look at photographs and old uniforms that will help you understand the major contributions of these brave men.

Apollo Theatre (New York, New York)

This theatre has long been a beacon of African Americans talent. Many important African Americans performers graced this stage and made history. When Amateur Night was started at the theatre in the 1930s, aspiring musicians, comedians and actors were able to gain recognition in the big city. Take a tour of the theater and enjoy a show with your family this Black History Month.

Pride And Passion: The African American Baseball Experience (Cooperstown, New York)

If you’re a sports fan, this one will be right up your alley! Take a trip to the Baseball Hall Of Fame - an interactive exhibit that will teach you all about African Americans baseball history. Explore the Negro League section – it explains that sports used to be segregated in the U.S. and black athletes had to struggle to be noticed.

Josh Gibson Marker (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)

Get to know the baseball player who paved the way for Jackie Robinson and racial equality in American sports. Known as the Black Babe Ruth, Josh Gibson played on two Negro teams in Pittsburgh and hit 800 home runs over the course of his 17-year career. This incredible athlete died only months before Robinson joined the Brooklyn Dodgers, so he never saw the color barrier broken in American baseball.

Emancipation Park (Houston, Texas)

Juneteenth is a nationally celebrated day commemorating the freedom and achievement of African Americans in the United States. Emancipation Park was bought over 100 years ago in honor of this celebration; it is one of the first plots purchased by a black American. Reverend Jack Yates bought this 10-acre site in the 19th century, in the name of Juneteenth.

Carter’s Grove Plantation (Williamsburg, Virgina)

As home to some of the very first American settlers, you'll see life that way it was in the 1700s recreated, complete with costumes and interpreters who give a tour of the mansion and grounds and explain the role of black slaves on the premises. Even though we’ve still got a long way to go, you’ll see how much things have changed since then.

Underground Railway Homes (Kenosha, Wisconsin)

Uncover the true history of this dangerous but important network that brought slaves to freedom. Before the Civil War, four homes in Kenosha served as stops in the Underground Railroad. They were operated by brave people who helped smuggle slaves into Canada. Tour these homes and imagine what it was like for the black slaves to flee in search of freedom.

Have Your Say

Do you have other locations to add to the list? Leave a comment and let us know!