15 Places to Visit in Honor of Black History Month
Learn and Celebrate Black History with these Travel Destinations
As we celebrate love in the month of February it is a time to celebrate the achievements and contributions of black people throughout history. Black History month invites us to reflect on and honor the resilience and strength of black communities around the world.
A great way to celebrate Black History Month is to plan a trip to one of the many destinations around the world that are significant to black history. Here are a few ideas to honor Black History Month with travel. From Senegal to Memphis, discover museums, cultural centers, sites of civil rights protests, monuments, and historical landmarks that bear witness to the history, culture, triumph, and struggles of African-American communities for centuries.
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Alabama:
Selma is a city in Alabama that played a significant role in the civil rights movement. It was the starting point for three marches in support of African-Americans' right to vote. You can visit the Edmund Pettus Bridge, where civil rights marchers were attacked by state troopers in 1965, or the National Voting Rights Museum, which tells the story of the struggle for voting rights in the United States.
The Rosa Parks Museum (Montgomery, Alabama): This museum is dedicated to the life and legacy of civil rights activist Rosa Parks. It features exhibits on the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the Civil Rights Movement.
The National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington D.C.
This Smithsonian museum is dedicated to the documentation of African American life, history, and culture. It features exhibits on topics such as slavery, civil rights, and the Harlem Renaissance. Here is a tour you can book.
The Maison Des Esclaves (Slave House) on Gorée Island, Senegal
This museum is dedicated to the history of the slave trade in West Africa. It offers a poignant and educational look at this dark period in history. Gorée Island (Senegal): This small island off the coast of Senegal was once a major hub of the transatlantic slave trade. It was here that many enslaved Africans were held in brutal conditions before being shipped to the Americas. If you want to see Goree Island firsthand, book here
The National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee:
This museum is located at the site of the Lorraine Motel, where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. It tells the story of the civil rights movement and the struggle for racial equality in the United States. It features exhibits on the history of the civil rights movement, as well as educational programs and events.
The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture (New York City)
This research library, part of the New York Public Library system, is a leading resource for the study of the global African diaspora. It has a large collection of books, manuscripts, and other materials related to Black history and culture.
Ghana
Elmina Castle: This castle, located on the coast of Ghana, was built by the Portuguese in the 15th century and later used as a major slave trading fort. It is now a museum dedicated to the history of the slave trade and its impact on Africa.
The Cape Coast Castle: This castle, located on the coast of Ghana, was once a major hub of the transatlantic slave trade. It is now a museum dedicated to the history of the trade and its impact on Africa.
The National Museum of Ghana: This museum is dedicated to preserving and interpreting the history and culture of Ghana. It has exhibits on topics such as the transatlantic slave trade and the independence movement, and hosts a variety of events and programs to celebrate Black History Month.
Zanzibar (Tanzania):
The island of Zanzibar, located off the coast of Tanzania, was a major center of the East African slave trade. Today, visitors can tour the historic Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and visit the Zanzibar Slave Market Museum, which tells the story of the island's role in the slave trade.
The International Museum of the Slave Trade (Ouidah, Benin):
Located in the West African country of Benin, this museum is dedicated to the history of the transatlantic slave trade and its impact on the region. It includes exhibits on topics such as the role of European powers in the trade and the resistance of enslaved Africans.
The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center (Cincinnati, Ohio):
This museum is dedicated to the history of the Underground Railroad, a network of routes and safe houses used by enslaved African Americans to escape to freedom. It also has exhibits on the transatlantic slave trade and its impact on the United States.
The Black Heritage Trail (Boston, Massachusetts):
This self-guided tour takes visitors through important sites in Boston's Black history, including the African Meeting House, the oldest standing Black church in the United States. It also includes sites related to the abolitionist movement and the fight against slavery. You can book it here
African American Museum in Philadelphia
It is the first institution built by a major U.S. city to house and interpret the life and work and celebrate the contributions of African Americans. It features exhibits on topics such as slavery, segregation, civil rights, and African American art and culture.
The Slavery Museum (Liverpool, England):
Located in the port city of Liverpool, which was once a major hub of the transatlantic slave trade, this museum tells the story of the city's involvement in the trade and its lasting impact on the world. It hosts a variety of events and programs to celebrate Black History Month.
The Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture (Baltimore, Maryland):
This museum is dedicated to the history and culture of African Americans in Maryland. It has exhibits on topics such as slavery, segregation, and the civil rights movement.
The Black Heritage Festival (Charleston, South Carolina):
This annual festival takes place in February and celebrates the contributions of Black people in South Carolina. It features music, dance, and other cultural performances, as well as exhibits and lectures.
The African American Museum (Dallas, Texas):
This museum is dedicated to preserving and interpreting the history and culture of African Americans in Dallas and the surrounding region. It has exhibits on topics such as slavery, segregation, and the civil rights movement, and hosts a variety of events and programs to celebrate Black History Month.
No matter how you choose to celebrate Black History Month, travel can be a great way to learn about and appreciate the rich history and culture shaped by African Americans and the African diaspora worldwide.