African American Heritage: Theme Studies
The studies on this page examine sites of African American history in the United States, placing them in national contexts.
National Historic Landmarks are often identified through theme studies. Theme studies are an effective way of identifying and nominating properties because they provide a comparative analysis of properties associated with a specific area of American history. In order to make the case for national significance, a theme study must provide that necessary national historic context so that national significance may be judged for a number of related properties.
Civil Rights in America
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Civil Rights in AmericaCivil Rights in America Framework
This Framework was written to guide the NPS in identifying significant civil rights history sites for designation as NHLs.
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Civil Rights in AmericaDesegregation of Public Accommodations
This NPS theme study highlights sites connected to the desegregation of public accommodations.
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Civil Rights in AmericaDesegregation in Public Education
This theme study identifies places that tell the history of school segregation and desegregation during the Civil Rights Movement.
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Civil Rights in AmericaRacial Voting Rights
This report collects places that communicate the history of the Civil Rights Movement's struggle for voting rights.
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Civil Rights in AmericaRacial Discrimination in Housing
This theme study identifies historic properties that tell the story of housing discrimination in American history.
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Civil Rights in AmericaRead More
Watch this space for the next installment in the Civil Rights in America theme study series, on employment discrimination.
Other Black History Studies
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Theme StudyThe Era of Reconstruction
This theme study identifies sites related to the dramatic history of Reconstruction, 1861-1900.
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Theme StudyUnderground Railroad Resources in the US
This study locates places that may have a nationally significant connection to the Underground Railroad.
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Special StudyAfrican Reflections on US Landscapes
This special study highlights West and Central African cultural contributions to the nation's built environment.
Last updated: March 17, 2022