African American Heritage Trail

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Learn about the people and places that shaped our city as you explore the African American Heritage Trail, Washington, DC. From Benjamin Banneker's essential role in the survey of the District, to the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech at the Lincoln Memorial, you'll find compelling historical research and intriguing information.

The African American Heritage Trail, Washington DC identifies more than 200 sites that are important in local and national history and culture.

To nominate a site for inclusion, access our criteria and application form here.

The entire trail consists of over 200 sites. Of those sites, 100 are marked with plaques. Our trail booklet, available in print and in PDF form below, explores 98 of these sites in detail.

Plaques are located at such sites as:
• Engine Company No. 4, DC's first all-black fire company
• Vermont Avenue Baptist Church, founded in 1866 by enslaved people
• Home of Howard D. Woodson, an influential DC architect and community leader
• Washington Conservatory of Music, one of DC's earliest arts institutions

The booklet, illustrated with maps and photos, and organized into 15 neighborhood walking tours, covers 98 sites. The fifth printing is available at the Union Station Information Hub (on the bus deck) and the office of Cultural Tourism DC, located at 700 12th Street NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC  20005. 

You also may download the PDF here.

The African American Heritage Trails, by NEIGHBORHOOD

Brightwood, African American Heritage Trail
Brookland, African American Heritage Trail
Capitol Hill, African American Heritage Trail
Deanwood & Mayfair, African American Heritage Trail
Downtown, African American Heritage Trail
Dupont Circle & Strivers' Section, African American Heritage Trail
Georgetown, African American Heritage Trail
Greater U Street, African American Heritage Trail
Howard University, African American Heritage Trail
LeDroit Park, African American Heritage Trail
Logan Circle, African American Heritage Trail
Mount Vernon Square & Shaw, African American Heritage Trail
National Mall, African American Heritage Trail
Northeast, African American Heritage Trail
Northwest, African American Heritage Trail
Old Anacostia & Hillsdale, African American Heritage Trail
Southeast, African American Heritage Trail
Southwest, African American Heritage Trail
Waterfront/Southwest DC, African American Heritage Trail