Black History Month Programs

A collage of African American people performing various artistic endeavors.

ASALH

In celebration of Black History Month 2024, 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, Fort Washington Park, and Oxon Hill Farm are offering programming related to this year's National Theme of "African Americans and the Arts".

 

Winners of the 2022 Frederick Douglass Oratorical Contest holding their plaques alongside NACE Superintendent Tara Morrison, FDMHA President Sylvia Quinton, and Former NPS Director Robert G. Stanton.

NPS Photo

SPECIAL EVENTS

Saturday, February 10, 2:00 pm Frederick Douglass Birthday Commemoration, at THEARC in Anacostia (1801 Mississippi Avenue, S.E., Washington, D.C. 20020)

2024 marks the 206^th anniversary of Frederick Douglass’s birth. Join the Ranger staff at THEARC at 12:30 pm for Pre-program activities in the lobby and at 2:00 pm for the main program.

The program, highlighting African Americans in the Arts includes:

• Special panel presentation about the upcoming Broadway musical about Frederick Douglass titled: “American Prophet”. The panel will include, Playwright/Director Charles Randolph-Wright, Dr. Celeste-Marie Bernier, and Douglass Descendent, Kenneth B. Morris, who were historical consultants during the play’s development.
• Frederick Douglass Oratorical Contest winners giving their recitation of Douglass’s most famous speeches!
• Learn about the many facets of Frederick Douglass through a lively, interactive Jeopardy-style game about Douglass’s life,
• Music by the Jubliee Voices of the Washington Revels
• Performance by students from the Washington Ballet School from THEARC.

Saturday, February 17, 11:00 am “Walk with Dr. Woodson, An Annual DC 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 figures and landmarks relating to Black History on this neighborhood tour. Also in attendance will be local historian and ANC Commissioner Alexander Padro. The program concludes with a short performance at Shiloh Baptist Church, accompanied with hot chocolate and coffee. (90 min, outdoor portion: 30 min). Distance is approximately ½ mile.

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

Reservations required and may be made by emailing [e-mail].

Friday, February 23, 6:30 pm "An Evening with Mary McLeod Bethune" at Mary McLeod Bethune Council House NHS (1318 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005)

This program will feature music, a performance by Mary McLeod Bethune actor, Leslie Jones, and there will be special house tours following the program. Mary McLeod Bethune founded the National Council of Negro Women, a powerful Civil Rights organization, and this event takes place in their historic first national headquarters at 1318 Vermont Avenue, N.W. Reservations are required and the program will be shown live via Microsoft Teams for those who cannot be there in person.

Email [e-mail] to reserve your seat or to view the program online.

 

Dr. Carter G. Woodson's "African Myths and Folk Tales", first published in 1928.

NPS Photo

SPECIAL WEEKLY PROGRAMS

Every Thursday in February, 10:00 am, Mary McLeod Bethune Council House NHS (1318 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005)

“Reading Ranger, historic African Myths and Folk Tales by Dr. Carter G. Woodson” Join the Ranger team as they read selected stories from Dr. Carter G. Woodson’s book African Myths and Folk Tales. Published in 1928, the book showcases engaging and historic folk tales from Africa. What better way for young people to get into the spirit of Black History Month!

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 and back will be offered every Friday in February at 1:00 pm. The walking tour lasts approximately 45 minutes and takes visitors around noted landmarks of the Logan Circle and Shaw Neighborhoods. Dr. Carter G. Woodson was affectionately known as “The Bookman” by local residents in the Shaw Neighborhood. This walking tour retraces routes and places frequented by Dr. Woodson and represent 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 February, 9:30 am, Frederick Douglass NHS (1411 W Street, S.E., Washington, D.C. 20020)
"Frederick Douglass and the Arts Tour" In celebration of the National Black History Theme for 2024: "African Americans and the Arts", join rangers for a special tour of Frederick Douglass's home, Cedar Hill, wherein visitors can explore the artwork located on the first floor of the home, as well as learn about Douglass's love for human creative skill and imagination. This tour will be offered every Saturday during the month of Febraury at 9:30 a.m. and reservations are required. Each tour will be limited to 30 people.

Email [e-mail] to reserve your spot on the tour.


Every Saturday and Sunday in February, 2:00 - 2:45 pm, Fort Washington Park (13551 Fort Washington Road, Fort Washington, MD 20744)
"Black History at Fort Washington" Commemorate Black History Month with a special ranger-guided tour of Fort Washington that specifically examines 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.

Every Saturday in February, 12 noon, Oxon Hill Farm (6411 Oxon Hill Road, Oxon Hill, MD 20745)
"Mount Welby Open House" Have you ever wanted to see inside Oxon Hill Farm’s historic farmhouse, Mount Welby? Now is your chance! For the duration of February, Mount Welby will be open every Saturday from 12:00 to 3:00. Inside, explore museum exhibits about the farm’s 19th century inhabitants, chat with a Ranger, and ponder the role of slavery in Maryland agriculture.

Every Saturday in February, 3:00 pm Oxon Hill Farm, (6411 Oxon Hill Road, Oxon Hill, MD 20745)
"African Myths and Folktales" Join us to commemorate Black History Month with a story time fit for all ages. A Park Ranger will read to children from Dr. Carter G. Woodson’s book, African Myths and Folktales. Africans were some of the first people to domesticate livestock centuries ago. Some of these animals appear in fables and stories. Hear these historic stories and then see the descendants of these domesticated animals at Oxon Hill Farm!

 

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 2024 National Theme is: "African Americans and the Arts". 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.

 

Three cell phones with social media logos (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) on their screens.

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

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