One of the many focuses of the National Park Service (NPS) is research and documentation. The skilled historians and staff of the NPS study the people, places, and stories of civil rights across the country. Their research helps to preserve important places and to educate people about the diverse history of the United States.
Collections and Archives
The National Park Service Cultural Resource researches and documents maintains some of the the nation's largest historical archives and collections. Among the most comprehensive of these are the collections of the Heritage Documentation Program and the National Register of Historic Places. These collections contain a wealth of information about places associated with civil rghts history.
The NPS Multimedia Collection is a large collection of NPS audio, videos, podcasts, and photographs, many of which focus on civil rights.
Programs
Heritage Travel Itineraries, Teaching with Historic Places, Telling All Americans' Stories, and the Cultural Landscape Program's Landscapes by Theme all focus on the places where history happened, the stories of diverse peoples, and various topics in civil rights history.
Studies
National Historic Landmarks (NHL) theme studies provide a comparative analysis of properties associated with specific areas of American history. The in-depth historical analysis and historic contexts found in the theme studies contain a wealth of information about their topics. Multiple NHL theme studies focus specifically on the civil rights history of various groups and on multiple aspects of civil rights..
National Parks
Many of our national parks were created in whole or in part around the themes of civil rights history. They strive to educate the public about civil rights through interpretative programs, placed-based learning, and on-line articles and stories. All of these parks have a History & Culture section on their websites with people, places, and stories sections that focus on history in the individual park units.
A Selection of NPS Civil Rights Research & Documentation
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- Locations: Boston National Historical Park, Boston African American National Historic Site
The humanitarian efforts of the Women’s Service Club have uplifted Boston for over a century. Piloted by generations of Black women, the Club’s activism paralleled broader efforts to eliminate second-class citizenship in American society.
- Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site
"Let Us Have Peace": Ulysses S. Grant and the Election of 1868
- Locations: Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site
The presidential election of 1868 was the first one to be held after the Civil War. It pitted General Ulysses S. Grant versus former New York Governor Horatio Seymour. Grant campaigned on the slogan, "Let Us Have Peace."
- Locations: Boston National Historical Park, Boston African American National Historic Site
Members of the Woman's Era Club, a Boston-based African American women's club, lived the club's motto to "make the world better" by devoting their lives to numerous causes. Members advocated for women's suffrage and education for African American women, aided the less fortunate and oppressed, and fought racism and discrimination against African Americans.
- Locations: Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial, Eisenhower National Historic Site
Dwight Eisenhower received many letters from citizens on important issues. In 1957 and 1958, baseball star and Civil Rights activist Jackie Robinson wrote to President Eisenhower about his stance on Civil Rights, voicing his desires for stronger Federal action to protect the rights of African Americans in the United States. His letter of May 1958 expresses the frustration Robinson felt at what he considered to be Eisenhower's slow pace on issues pertaining to Civil Rights.
- Locations: Boston National Historical Park, Boston African American National Historic Site
On July 29, 1895, the First National Conference for Colored Women of America drew delegates from African American women’s clubs across the country to Boston. Presided over by Josephine St. Pierre Ruffin, the conference provided Black clubwomen the opportunity to discuss issues relating to race and gender, resulting in the creation of a new national organization.
- Locations: Belmont-Paul Women's Equality National Monument, Women's Rights National Historical Park
When Carrie Lane Chapman Catt was 13-years-old and living in rural Charles City, Iowa, she witnessed something that would help to decide the course of her life. Her family was politically active and on Election Day in 1872, Carrie’s father and some of the male hired help were getting ready to head into town to vote. She asked her mother why she wasn’t getting dressed to go too. Her parents laughingly explained to their daughter that women couldn’t vote.
This lesson is part of a series teaching about the World War II home front, with Paterson, New Jersey, an American World War II Heritage City. The lesson includes readings helping students understand the challenges African Americans in Paterson encountered on the home front, as well as some of their contributions. The lesson examines challenges at the vocational school, acknowledgement of local African American service members, and tolerance talks among faith leaders.
(H)our History Lesson: Capturing the Nation’s Attention, the Selma to Montgomery Voting Rights March
This article explores the history of the Selma to Montgomery March. You'll find a reading and related activities for learners of all ages.
This article explores Colonel Young's freedom ride from Ohio to Washington, DC. It include a reading and activities intended for middle school learners, but can easily be adapted for use by learners of all ages.
This article explores the life and legacy of Frederick Douglass. You'll find a reading and related activities about Douglass and his home in Washington. DC. These resources are intended for middle school learners but can easily be adapted for use by learners of all ages.
Tags:
civil rights
Last updated: December 21, 2022