Peer Into the Past at the Carter G. Woodson Home

The Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site

NPS

Visitors can take a ranger-led tour of the Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site, which was Dr. Carter G. Woodson's office-home from 1922 until his death in 1950. Known as the "Birthplace of Black History Month", this home is where Woodson also inaugurated Negro History Week in 1926 (celebrated today as Black History Month), established a headquarters for both the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, Inc. and his publishing company the Associated Publishers, Inc. from 1922 to 1971. Tours are only offered when the site is open to the public on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Details

Duration

30-90 Minutes

Activity

Guided Tours

Ranger-led tours of the home are only offered on the days the site is open to the public on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Tours are given every hour with the exception of 12 noon. Drop-ins are welcome. Groups of more than 10 people are strongly encouraged to make a reservation before-hand. Reservations can be made online through recreation.gov, or by calling [phone], or emailing [e-mail].

The National Park Service also offers walking tours of Dr. Woodson's neighborhood within the historic Shaw community. 

Age(s)

5-99

Pets Allowed

No

Service animals are allowed in national parks. For a definition of a service animal, please see the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) definition.

Activity Fee

No

No fee required.

Location

Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site

1538 Ninth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20001 

Reservations

Yes

Ranger-led tours of the home are only offered on the days the site is open to the public on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Tours are given every hour with the exception of 12 noon. Drop-ins are welcome. Groups of more than 10 people are strongly encouraged to make a reservation before-hand. Reservations can be made online through recreation.gov, or by calling [phone], or emailing [e-mail].

Season

Year Round

Time of Day

Day

The home is only open on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Accessibility Information

The Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site is now open to the public. There is an accessible ramp and accessible parking spot behind the home. The second and third floors of the home can only be reached by climbing the stairs.

The facade of Dr. Carter G. Woodson's office-home during his residency

ASALH

The Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site, located in Washington, D.C., served as the home of the “Father of Black History,” Dr. Carter G. Woodson from 1922 until his death in 1950.

Carter Godwin Woodson was born on December 19, 1875 in New Canton, Virginia to parents that had been enslaved. As an African American boy growing up in central Virginia during the late 19th century, he had few educational or employment opportunities. In pursuit of a new life, he and his family moved to Huntington, West Virginia, where he worked in the New River Gorge coalfields to help supplement the family’s income. Finally, by the time he was 20, Woodson saved enough money from his days as a coal miner to begin his formal education. In 1912, Woodson became the second African American (and the only person of enslaved parentage) to earn a PhD from Harvard University.

As the nation’s first professionally trained historian of African descent, Woodson institutionalized the study of African American history, and from his home located at 1538 Ninth Street, N.W. in the heart of the city’s Shaw Neighborhood, he directed the operations of his organization, the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, Inc., ran a publishing company, the Associated Publishers, Inc. and in 1926, started Negro History Week, which is now observed as Black History Month. The home is open to the public for tours on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays and offers interpretive and educational programs throughout the year.