Article

African American History (Teaching with Historic Places)

Teaching with Historic Places (TwHP) uses historic places in National Parks and in the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places to enliven history, social studies, geography, civics, and other subjects. TwHP has created a variety of products and activities that help teachers bring historic places into the classroom.

Here you’ll find place-based educational resources relating to African American history and culture. Discover more resources at the Teaching with Historic Places homepage.

Lesson Plans by Era

Early American Pre-1860

Lesson plans related to African American history prior to 1860.
Civil War and Reconstruction 1861-1877

Lessons related to African American history of the Civil War and Reconstruction era, 1861 to 1877.
Gilded Age 1878-1900

Lessons related to African American history from 1878 to 1900
Early 20th Century 1901-1940

Lessons related to African American history during the early 20th century 1901 to 1940
World War II Era 1941-1960

Lessons relating to African American history from 1941 to 1960
Civil Rights and Black Power 1961-1975

Lesson plans related to African American history from 1961 to 1975

Lesson Series

Claiming Civil Rights

The lesson plans in this series guide students through conversations about how people claimed civil rights for themselves and for others.
Conversations about Legacies of Slavery

The lesson plans in this series guide students through conversations about the history and injustices of slavery in the U.S.
Civil Rights and Public Education

The lesson plans in this series guide students through conversations about school segregation and the struggles for desegregation.

Curiosity Kits

Curiosity Kit: Bayard Rustin

This kit focuses on Bayard Rustin, an important figure of the Civil Rights Movement.
Curiosity Kit: American Aviation History

This kit focuses on the history of American aviation with a focus on the contributions of women and African Americans.
Curiosity Kit Black Women Mathematicians

This kit focuses on the African American women who played a critical role in the Space Race.
Curiosity Kit: Black Cowpokes

This kit focuses on the history of Black cowboys and cowgirls.
Curiosity Kit: Black Baseball Players

This kit focuses on the history of Black baseball. Learn about places associated with famous African American players.
Curiosity Kit: Ida B Wells

This kit focuses on the life and work of journalist and activist Ida B. Wells.
Curiosity Kit: Malcolm X

This kit focuses on the life and work of Malcolm Little, also known as Malcolm X.
Curiosity Kit: Mary Ann Shadd Cary

This kit focuses on the life and legacy of journalist, abolitionist, and lawyer Mary Ann Shadd Cary.
Curiosity Kit: Mary Church Terrell

This kit focuses on the life and legacy of Mary Church Terrell, a women’s rights and Black civil rights activist.
Curiosity Kit: Nannie Helen Burroughs

This kit focuses on the life and work of Nannie Helen Burroughs, a suffragist and early Black civil rights activist.
All Curiosity Kits

All Curiosity Kits, including other topics found here