Frederick Douglass

Black History Month Programs

Collage of images featuring A. Phillip Randolph and Fannie Lou Hamer
A collage of images featuring labor leaders A. Phillip Randolph and Fannie Lou Hamer.

ASALH

In celebration of Black History Month 2025, the sites of National Capital Parks-East: Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site, Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site, and Fort Washington Park are offering programming related to this year's National Theme of "African Americans and Labor".



 
Images of Frederick Douglass, Mary McLeod Bethune, and Dr. Carter G. Woodson
Portraits of Frederick Douglass, Mary McLeod Bethune, and Dr. Carter G. Woodson

Public domain/Library of Congress

SPECIAL EVENTS

Saturday, February 1, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm “Walk with Dr. Woodson: An Annual D.C. Tradition!" at Mary McLeod Bethune Council House NHS (1318 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005).

Walk literally in the footsteps of the creator of Black History Month, Dr. Carter G. Woodson from the Mary McLeod Bethune Council House NHS through the Logan Circle and Shaw neighborhoods.  Noted actor, Darius Wallace will portray Dr. Woodson and highlight noted landmarks relating to Black History on this neighborhood tour. The program concludes with a short performance at Shiloh Baptist Church accompanied with hot chocolate (outdoor walk about 30 min). Distance is approximately ½ mile.

The walk will start at the Mary McLeod Bethune Council House NHS.

This event is free however, reservations required and may be made by emailing WoodsonNHS@nps.gov.


Saturday, February 8, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm "Frederick Douglass Birthday & Black History Month Celebration" at Martha's Table (2375 Elvans Road, S.E., Washington, D.C. 20020)

Celebrate Frederick Douglass’s 207th birthday and Black History Month at this event hosted at Martha’s Table!

Celebration includes, a puppet show by Ebony Sonshine, a Jazz performance by the Finn Murphy Quartet, and music by the Jubilee Voices of the Washington Revels. The event will feature hands on activities and stories such as “Meet Mary McLeod Bethune,” and explore the “Great Person Spaces", that examine the lives of Frederick Douglass, Mary McLeod Bethune, and Dr. Carter G. Woodson, “the Father of Black History”. The winners of the annual Frederick Douglass Oratorical Contest will be present to perform their award-winning Frederick Douglass speeches. A free shuttle will be provided between the Anacostia Metro Station, Martha’s Table, and the Frederick Douglass NHS so visitors can also take tours of Frederick Douglass’s Anacostia home, Cedar Hill.

This event is free and open to the public!

 
Participants in the "Walk with Dr. Woodson" Walking Tour
Participants in the "Walk with Dr. Woodson" Walking Tour

NPS

WEEKLY PROGRAMS


Every Friday in February, 1:00 pm, Mary McLeod Bethune Council House NHS (1318 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005)

“Walking in the Steps of the Bookman” A free walking tour from the Mary McLeod Bethune Council House NHS to the Carter G. Woodson Home NHS will be offered every Friday in February at 1:00 pm. 

Dr. Carter G. Woodson was affectionately known as “The Bookman” by residents in the Shaw neighborhood, and this walking tour (approx. 45 minutes) retraces routes and places frequented by Dr. Woodson and represents landmarks in Black History.

Participants should meet at the Mary McLeod Bethune Council House NHS (located at 1318 Vermont Avenue, N.W.) In the event of inclement weather such as a thunderstorm, snow, or extreme cold, the tour will not be given.


Every Saturday and Sunday in February, 2:00 - 2:45 pm, Fort Washington Park (13551 Fort Washington Road, Fort Washington, MD 20744)

Commemorate Black History Month with a special Ranger-guided tour of Fort Washington that focuses on the role of African Americans in the fort’s history. Examine the enslavement of people on the Digges’ plantation and the use of their labor in the construction of the fort, consider the importance of freedom seekers during the War of 1812 and the American Civil War, and appreciate the rise of African Americans in the US Army during the 19th and 20th centuries.

 
ASALH Logo
Logo for the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, Inc. (ASALH)

ASALH

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Each year, a national Black History Theme is selected by the organization that Dr. Carter G. Woodson established in 1915, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, Inc. (ASALH). The 2025 National Theme is: "African Americans and Labor". For more information on the theme and ASALH's annual Black History Month Festival, visit here.

Every February during Black History Month and throughout the year, the National Park Service and our partners share stories, rich culture, and an invitation for all Americans to reflect on Black history in parks and communities across the country. Learn more here.

Click here to view the the White House's Presidential Proclamation on National Black History Month 2024.
 
Image featuring the logos for Facebook, Instagram, and X.
Image featuring the logos for Facebook, Instagram, and X.

Public domain

Be sure to follow the Historic Homes of National Capital Parks-East on Social Media throughout Black History Month for interesting content! #FindYourPark #BlackHistoryMonth #NACEHistoricHomes #BlackHistory #FrederickDouglass #MaryMcLeodBethune #CarterGWoodson


Frederick Douglass NHS
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Mary McLeod Bethune Council House NHS
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Last updated: January 17, 2025

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

1411 W Street SE
Washington, DC 20020

Phone:

771-208-1499
This phone number is to the ranger offices at the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site.

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