Carter G. Woodson Home

Carter G. Woodson Home Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site Washington, DC National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Visionary Carter G. Woodson • • • • • • • • • • • • LEFT TO RIGHT Dr. Woodson (center) with Morgan College students, 1931; Woodson office-home; Thaddeus School students Publisher AFRO AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS ARCHIVES; NPS / ASALH; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS; BOOK—IAN BRABNER, RARE AMERICANA; WOODSON—WEST VIRGINIA ARCHIVES & HISTORY, ANCELLA BICKLEY COLLECTION Historian Educator Birthplace of Black History Month Founder Welcome to the office-home of Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson (left), “the Father of Black History” and founder of Black History Month. Advisor Dr. Woodson institutionalized the study of Black history by founding the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH), today the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). Its office operated from the first floor. From the second-floor office and library Dr. Woodson wrote 20 books and countless articles and trained the next generation of Black historians. He lived on the third floor. Activist Curator Scholar Mentor Dr. Woodson devoted his life to Black history. He saw the creation of Negro History Week, now Black History Month, as a catalyst to inspire people to learn about and appreciate Black historical achievements all year. Leader Writer This place was—and is—an active center for Black history, heritage, and progress. With the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site invites all to explore Dr. Woodson’s home, work, and legacy. We should emphasize not Negro* History, but the Negro in history. What we need is not a history of selected races or nations, but the history of the world, void of national bias, race, hate, and religious prejudice. … The case of the Negro is well taken care of when it is shown how he has far influenced the development of civilization. Dr. Carter G. Woodson, Journal of Negro History, 1927 *Today, Negro is an outdated term for a person of African descent. In Dr. Woodson’s day it was commonly used in a less offensive way. A N U N A P O L O G E T I C The following events are related to Dr. Woodson’s life and home. The * symbol indicates books he wrote. December 19, 1875 Born to formerly enslaved parents in Virginia 1903 Earns first bachelor’s degree at Berea College in Kentucky 1921 The History of the Negro Church*; launches Associated Publishers, Inc. 1908 Earns second bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree at University of Chicago 1922 The Negro in Our History*; buys DC home on July 18 1948 Introduces Negro History Week kits 1912 Earns history PhD at Harvard 1926 Creates Negro History Week April 3, 1950 Dies in his bedroom 1915 The Education of the Negro Prior to 1861*; cofounds ASNLH on September 9 1928 African Myths and Folk Tales* 1971 Associated Publishers dissolves; ASNLH relocates (renamed ASALH, 1973) TYPEWRITER— © JETT MORTON 1937 Launches Negro History Bulletin 2003 Congress names Woodson home a national historic site 1939 African Heroes and Heroines* 1892–95 West Virginia coal miner 1895 Enters Frederick Douglass High School in Huntington, West Virginia R A D I C A L 1930 The Rural Negro* 1916 Starts Journal of Negro History 1918 A Century of Negro Migration* 1933 The Mis-Education of the Negro*, his preeminent work 1976 ASALH redesignates Negro History Week as Black History Month; home designated a national historic landmark 2006 Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site becomes 389th unit of National Park System WHO WAS CARTER G. WOODSON? Born in 1875 to formerly enslaved parents who were poor landowners, young Carter Godwin Woodson (left in 1915) worked as a sharecropper, manual laborer, and garbage truck driver. Facts set properly He became the second African American to earn a PhD from Harvard University. forth, will tell their His education began in earnest at age 18. As a West Virginia coal miner, he discovered books about African Americans written by self-trained Black historians. This ignited his passion for Black history. own story. Dr. Woodson became a respected, skillful, and inspiring leader. For a few years he held various positions, including principal at the Armstrong Manual Training School in Washington, DC, and dean at Howard University. His steadfast dedication to his cause sparked volumes of work to flourish here at his home— and beyond. Among his many accomplishments, he founded ASNLH (now ASALH), Negro History Week, and Associated Publishers, Inc. Negro History Week is now Black History Month, a worldwide celebration that encourages us to learn, reflect, and feel inspired. Later he realized he needed to devote his life to forming his own organization to popularize and institutionalize Black history. Dr. Woodson is now part of history himself, yet his work lives on through these efforts. What legacy will you leave? Carter G. Woodson Negro History Bulletin 1938 GETTY IMAGES / HULTON ARCHIVE Higher Strivings in the Service of the Cause How can we achieve a better future together? Dr. Woodson lived during Jim Crow and “separate but equal” laws. US educators and publishers marginalized and mischaracterized Black Americans as inferior, uneducated, and poor. He warned that this “mis-education” led Blacks to despise their own race and to be dependent on Whites. He believed this hurt all races. He saw history as a way to racial harmony and Black empowerment. Educating people about Black experiences could bring all Americans together. Training historians could shed light on African American contributions to the nation despite the abuses of racism. For African Americans learning about Black history could build pride in one’s heritage. It could inspire action for equality, civil rights, prosperity, and more. For nearly 30 years inside these walls Dr. Woodson and his associates worked day and night to make this broad vision a reality. They expanded and promoted Black history, documented African journeys, preserved Black culture, published Black authors and subjects, and supported Black organizations. HISTORY BY DESIGN Teachers got lesson ideas from Dr. Woodson’s monthly bulletin. NPS Willing to Sacrifice What does sacrifice mean to you? The United States was racially segregated in the early 1900s. Laws disempowered Blacks. Racism and discrimination ran rampant. Three years before Dr. Woodson bought this home he was nearly killed in a Washington, DC, race riot. In spite of this he was determined to locate his organization in the Nation’s Capital. Their work tiled a mosaic of Black history for all the world to see. What paths would you forge to benefit everyone? HOME BASE Dr. Woodson’s homeoffice was a nerve center during the early Black history movement (1915–50). NPS / ASALH ended slavery in all states). At the event Dr. Woodson presented Black history as integral to the history of all Americans. Encouraged by the response, he founded ASNLH (1915), Negro History and Literature Week (1924), and Negro History Week (1926). Achieving his vision meant long days and intense dedication for Dr. Woodson and his mentees. They spent countless hours researching, writing, and fundraising. Dr. Woodson remained single and selflessly devoted his income to ASNLH. What are you willing to sacrifice for your beliefs? Threats like these did not stop Blacks from organizing their own marches and movements. In 1915 thousands went to Chicago to celebrate African American progress in the 50 years since emancipation (when the Thirteenth Amendment Mentorships and Alliances SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTE / SCURLOCK STUDIO COLLECTION How has someone inspired you? Rayford Logan WILLIAMS COLLEGE ARCHIVES The Woodson home was a hub for Black leaders and scholars. School and government officials, writers and activists, church and community leaders: All visited the home seeking Dr. Woodson’s advice. Charles H. Wesley Lorenzo Greene LIBRARY OF CONGRESS LIBRARY OF CONGRESS Dr. Woodson skillfully communicated across race, sex, and age. He welcomed Black women as equals at a time when many did not. His friend and neighbor Mary McLeod Bethune was the first woman and longest-serving president of ASNLH (1936–52). Many in the early Black history movement worked or visited the home, including Nannie Helen Burroughs, Langston Hughes, George Cleveland Hall, and Charles Wesley. Lois Mailou Jones provided artwork for some of Woodson’s publications. These leaders, often allies, aimed to ensure civil rights, share and preserve African American experiences, nurture pride in Black heritage, and make a better future for all. Dr. Woodson mainly trained Black scholars here, including Lorenzo Greene, Rayford Logan, and John Hope Franklin. Their work went far to institutionalize Black history in America. They prepared paths for future historians, authors, intellectuals, and activists. Take some time to learn more about these people. How do they inspire you? “I, TOO, AM AMERICA” wrote Langston Hughes, one of many African Americans with whom Dr. Woodson worked in his DC office-home (more at right). 16th Street LIBRARY OF CONGRESS COURTESY OF BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY EXPLORE MORE Use the official NPS App to guide your visit. od e Ha K St Isla n ve d A LOGAN CIRCLE 12th St Av e re hi ps m Rh 14th St eh M St DUPONT CIRCLE Ne w Carter G. Woodson Homeurst ve Pen k A n. Yor National Historic Site is one Ave ew The White N of over 400 parks in the The White House, Lincoln METRO House Memorial, Washington National Park System. Learn CENTER Monument, and National ¦¨•|‘¤~’£K¨“•===N===ULOSLOO===NOWPP=mj Vi Museum of African American rg more about national parks History are located southwest in P e nns of the Woodson Home on the ia ylva Av at www.nps.gov. National Mall and accessible THE ni St To learn more, please visit www.asalh.org. Whit Mary McLeod BethuneBethune Council Mary McLeod House National Historic Site is located nearCouncil Logan Circle,House southwest of the Woodson Home. National Historic Site African American Civil War Museum The African American Civil War Museum is located north of the Woodson Home, on Vermont Avenue. SHAW-HOWARD UNIVERSITY Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site is located approximately 3.5 blocks from Logan Circle Carter G. Woodson Home near Rhode Island Avenue near Shaw-Howard National Historic Site University. MT VERNON SQ-7TH STCONVENTION CENTER 23rd The visitor center has an elevator to all floors. Braille and audio-described materials are available. Service animals are allowed. 0.5 Kilometer Ave EMERGENCIES CALL 911 North n. Please be mindful of your surroundings in this busy, urban area. Be careful on sidewalks, streets, steps, and uneven or slippery surfaces. 0 Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site 1538 9th St. NW Washington, DC 20001 202-426-5961 Street www.nps.gov/cawo M Con Explore the home only by ranger-led tour. Please visit the park website for tour information and reservations (first-come, first-served; fee). SAFETY MORE INFORMATION The Association for the Study of African American Life and History continues Dr. Woodson’s legacy to promote, research, preserve, interpret, and disseminate information about African American life, history, and culture to the world. ue TOUR THE HOME Large bags, eating, drinking, gum, pets, and smoking. PARK PARTNER We strive to make facilities, programs, and services accessible to all. Ask a ranger, call, or check the park website. ven nA The visitor center has a water fountain, restrooms, exhibits, and NPS Junior Ranger booklets. PROHIBITED INSIDE ACCESSIBILITY nsi By metro: The park is a three-minute walk from the Shaw-Howard University stop (Green Line). From the 8th and R streets exit, take R St. one block west to 9th St. Turn left onto 9th St. After crossing Rhode Island Ave., the park is the third house on the right. VISITOR CENTER School groups: Please contact the park to arrange your tour. sco GETTING HERE By vehicle: Limited parking. From Rhode Island Ave., turn onto 9th St. The park is the third house on the right. Wi Check the park website for information on hours, closures, ranger-led tours, programs, and events. RD JONIS 0.5 Mile 0 PLAN YOUR VISIT NATIONAL ARCHIVES Join the park community. www.nationalparks.org IGPO:2022—419-059/82927 New in 2022 Lincoln Memorial e via Metro Center. ELLIPSE Constitution Ave Washington Monument Ma a Ave National Museum of African American History THE NATIONAL MALL ss. Ave N Capitol St JOHN HOPE FRANKLIN PAPERS, DUKE UNIVERSITY George Cleveland Hall 3rd St SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTE / SCURLOCK STUDIO COLLECTION Lois Mailou Jones 7th St Langston Hughes 6th St Nannie Helen Burroughs on John Hope Franklin Ver m Mary McLeod Bethune tA ve © ASALH 9th St Left: Lois Mailou Jones artwork for ASNLH poster, 1936 UNION STATION Constitution Ave The U.S. Capitol is located southeast of the Woodson Home and accessible via Union Station. U.S. Capitol Flo rid