Washington DC African-American Culture and History Tour

From
USD9000

Free cancellation

A full refund will apply if you cancel more than a day before the activity start time.

Duration4 hours
Guide LanguageEnglish
Good To KnowE-voucher
272 reviews

About

Discover many of Washington DC’s most significant African-American historical and cultural landmarks on this small-group, half-day driving tour. Meet your guide in the morning at the US Navy Memorial Plaza, hop aboard your vehicle, and set off: you’ll pass highlights ranging from the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial to the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site. At tour’s end, head to the National Museum of African American History and Culture to explore independently.

Highlights

Learn all about DC’s African-American history and culture from your guide
This small-group tour offers a personalized way to explore the sights
Discover many top DC landmarks and memorials, all in half a day
Trip to the National Museum of African American History and Culture included

Itinerary

The Headquarters of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) is a historic building located in Washington D.C., United States. The NCNW was founded in 1935 by Mary McLeod Bethune, an educator and civil rights leader, to promote the rights and welfare of African American women and their families. The organization has been headquartered in the same building since 1953 and it has been designated as a National Historic Landmark.
The building is located at 633 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, in the heart of the nation’s capital, just a few blocks from the White House. The building was originally constructed in the late 19th century as a commercial office building. In 1942, the building was purchased by the National Council of Negro Women with the help of a loan from the Federal Housing Administration.
You will be able to stand where the inauguration of President Obama took place. You will hear stories of how slaves help build the Capitol and the White House. You will hear how the Supreme Court which was in the Capitol made several decisions that affected people of color for decades .
This iconic building is the official residence and workplace of the President of the United States. African Americans have also played an important role in the White House, from the enslaved workers who built the house to the first African American President of the United States, Barack Obama.
One of the most significant events to take place at Constitution Hall was a concert by the renowned African-American contralto, Marian Anderson, on April 9, 1939. Anderson had been scheduled to perform at Constitution Hall, but the DAR, which owned the hall at the time, refused to allow her to perform there because of her race.
The incident sparked a national controversy, and eventually, with the help of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, Anderson was able to perform on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on Easter Sunday, April 9, 1939, in front of a crowd of 75,000 people. The concert was a landmark event in the struggle for civil rights and helped to bring attention to the issue of racial discrimination in the United States.
The tour guide will give information about the Lincoln Memorial as well as information about the historic African American events that have taken place at the Memorial. You will hear stories about the March on Washington, Marion Anderson Concert and Robert Moten giving the dedication speech for the opening of the Lincoln Memorial
Tour guide will show and explain the Inscription wall with 14 quotes and statements, the Mountain of Despair and the Stone of Hope. You will be told interesting and facts about the making of the King Memorial .
Our tour will include a walking tour of inside the Frederick Douglass house (Tuesday, Wednesday , Saturday.) The other days we will drive past the Douglass home and tell the history of the home.
LeDroit Park is known for its rich cultural history. The neighborhood originally was built for the white professors of Howard University. LeDroit Park to homes were sold to both black and white buyers, making it one of the first integrated neighborhoods in the city.
LeDroit Park also has a rich history of cultural and intellectual activity. The neighborhood was home to many prominent African American leaders, including Mary Church Terrell, the first president of the National Association of Colored Women, and Duke Ellington, the legendary jazz musician. In the early 20th century, the area was known as "Black Broadway" for its thriving entertainment scene, which included nightclubs, theaters, and music venue
You will learn about the 209, 000 African American troops and sailors that fought during the Civil War. The memorial was dedicated in 1998 . You will be able to read the plaques that have the names of all the USCT that were in the 166 regiments . You will able to see the statue call Sprit of Freedom which was done by Ed Hamilton.
Dunbar High School is a historic public high school located in Washington D.C. The school was founded in 1870 as the first public high school for African Americans in the United States. Dunbar High School has a long and proud history of academic excellence and has been instrumental in the education and success of many notable figures, including civil rights leader and educator Mary McLeod Bethune and poet Paul Laurence Dunbar.
he Howard Theatre is a historic theater located in Washington D.C. The theater was originally opened in 1910 and was one of the first theaters in the country to be designed and operated by African Americans. The theater quickly became a popular destination for African American performers and audiences during the segregation era and played a pivotal role in the development of African American music and culture.
Over the years, the Howard Theatre hosted many of the most famous African American performers of the time, including Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and Marvin Gaye. The theater was also an important venue for comedians and was known for its "Chitlin' Circuit" shows, which featured African American comedians and performers.
We will drive past one of the great universities in the United States. Howard University was established in 1867. The University has 13 schools . Some of the graduates of Howard are Thurgood Marshall, Elijah Cummings,, Taraji Henson and Toni Morrison .
we will drive past the Carter G. Woodson House, the home of the “Father of Black History.” Woodson was a prominent African American historian and scholar who is credited with creating Black History Month.
We will drive past the Bethune Council house. Mrs Bethune bought the house in the 1943. The design of the house second French Empire . We will stop and tour the house Thursday-Saturday time permitting
At the end of the 3 hour 30 minute tour you will be given tickets to the Museum of African American History and Culture. The tickets will be same day tickets. Once inside the museum you will be able to stay up until 5:30 when the museum closes. Once you arrive at the museum the tour is over. You must take the tour to get the ticket to the museum

Inclusions

Bottled water
In-vehicle air conditioning
Tickets to Museum of African American History and Culture

Exclusions

Gratuities

Additional Information

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Guide Languages

  • English

Cancellation Policy

  • A full refund will apply if you cancel more than a day before the activity start time.

  • No refund is possible if you cancel less than a day before the activity start time.