African-American heritage across the US
A growing awareness of the contributions of African-Americans to US heritage has had a big impact on travel. Suddenly, practically every city and town is telling the world - through brochures, booklets, maps, and websites - about its special African-American attractions. These range from places that played a key role in the days of slavery to sites connected to civil rights movement activities.
Here's a tiny sampling of what's available. Contact state visitors' bureaus for a fuller list.
Statewide
"Alabama's Black Heritage" booklet lists hundreds of sites across the state, by county.
1-800-Alabama www.touralabama.org
Florence
Birthplace of music legend W.C. Handy; week-long jazz and blues festival celebrates his legacy.
1-888-FLOTOUR; www.flo-tour.org; www.wchandymusicfestival.org
Montgomery
Many places connected with the civil rights movement, including the Rosa Parks Museum. Also, the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site.
1-800-261-1100
Macon
Tubman African-American Museum
(478) 743-8544
Junction City, Leavenworth
Buffalo Soldier exhibits and monuments. The famed all-black cavalry unit fought in the Civil War.
Nicodemus
The only remaining all-black town west of the Mississippi is a National Historic Site. The Nicodemus Emancipation Celebration each July includes Buffalo Soldier reenactors.
Wichita
Kansas African-American Museum,
(316) 262-7651
Lafayette and Lake Charles
A brochure, "The Soul of Southwest Louisiana," guides visitors to African-American sites.
1-800-456-SWLA
Statewide
A brochure, "Explore New York State's Diversity," includes a list of African-American events.
1-800-225-5697; www.iloveny.com
New York City
Harlem spiritual gospel and jazz tours
(212) 391-0900
Westchester County
African-American Heritage Trail
1-800-833-9282
Statewide
"The Rich Black Heritage of African-Americans in North Carolina," a booklet, details activities, events, and celebrations commemorating the accomplishments of black citizens.
1-800-VISITNC
Durham
28 sites (including "black Wall Street") and five music and arts festivals.
1-800-446-8604 www.durham-nc.com
New Bern
32 sites offer insight into blacks' long history in the city.
1-800-437-5767
Wilmington
African-American Heritage Festival, African-American heritage trail, and Upperman African-American Cultural Center.
1-800-222-4757 www.cape-fear.nc.us
Statewide
The Ohio Historical Society's website points visitors to many locations of the Underground Railroad.
www.ohiohistory.org/undergroundrr
Cincinnati
The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, a 158,000-square-foot museum and learning center, opened last August .
(513) 333-7500
Clermont County
Freedom Trail and sites connected to abolitionist movement.
1-800-796-4282; www.visit clermontohio.com/ugrrmain.htm
Wilberforce
The National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center focuses on many aspects of the black experience but one in particular is life in the 1950s.
1-800-752-2603 www.ohiohistory.org /places/afroam
Sugar Grove
Underground Railroad Convention, June 18 and 19, with historians re-creating the roles of Frederick Douglass and others.
1-800- 624-7802
Charleston
"Charleston Black Heritage" visitor's guide presents articles of interest from the College of Charleston, as well as information about events and activities.
1-800-774-0006
www.charlestonblackheritage.com; www.charlestoncvb.com
Alexandria
The city's African-American history stretches from the 18th through the 20th centuries.
1-800-338-9119 www.FunSide.com
Hardy
Booker T. Washington national monument and heritage trail.
(540) 721-2094
Hampton
Numerous attractions in a city where American slavery had its roots and runaway slaves were later sheltered. Home to the oldest African-American museum in the US.
1-800-487-8778 www.hamptoncvb.com
Norfolk
African-American heritage celebrations include festivals and even a soul-food cruise.
1-800-368-3097
Richmond
Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia and other African-American museums.
1-800-370-9004
Statewide
Celebrations from John Henry Days in Talcott to Black Sacred Music Festival in Institute.
1-800-CALLWVA
