Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site
Encyclopedia
Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site at 1538 9th Street, NW in the Shaw
neighborhood of Washington, D.C.
, preserves the home of Carter G. Woodson
(1875–1950). Woodson, the founder of Black History Month
, was an African American
historian, author, and journalist.
, published the Negro History Bulletin and the Journal of Negro History, operated Associated Publishers, and pursued his own own research
and writing about African American history. The home continued to serve as the national headquarters of the Association until the early 1970s.
The house was designated a National Historic Landmark
in 1976 but became vacant in the 1990s. In 2001, the National Trust for Historic Preservation placed the site on a list of "11 Most Endangered" historic properties. With advocacy by the NTHP, local preservationists, and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton
, the National Historic Site
was authorized by Public Law 108-192 on December 19, 2003, and established by Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton
on February 27, 2006. The property was acquired by the National Park Service
in 2005. The home is still vacant and closed to the public but the rehabilitation of the home is currently being planned by the National Park Service in partnership with local architecture firm Beyer Blinder Belle
.
Shaw, Washington, D.C.
Shaw is a neighborhood located in the Northwest quadrant of Washington, D.C. It is roughly bounded by M Street, NW or Massachusetts Avenue NW to the south; New Jersey Avenue, NW to the east; Florida Avenue, NW to the north; and 11th Street, NW to the west...
neighborhood of Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, preserves the home of Carter G. Woodson
Carter G. Woodson
Carter Godwin Woodson was an African-American historian, author, journalist and the founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. Woodson was one of the first scholars to study African American history. A founder of Journal of Negro History , Dr...
(1875–1950). Woodson, the founder of Black History Month
Black History Month
Black History Month is an observance of the history of the African diaspora in a number of countries outside of Africa. Since 1976, it is observed annually in the United States and Canada in February, while in the United Kingdom it is observed in October...
, was an African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
historian, author, and journalist.
History
The property served as Dr. Woodson's home from 1915 until his death in 1950. From this three-story Victorian rowhouse, Woodson managed the operations of the Association for the Study of African American Life and HistoryAssociation for the Study of African American Life and History
The Association for the Study of African American Life and History is an organization dedicated to the study and appreciation of African-American History. It is a non-profit organization founded in Chicago, Illinois, on September 9, 1915 and incorporated in Washington, D.C. on October 2, 1915 as...
, published the Negro History Bulletin and the Journal of Negro History, operated Associated Publishers, and pursued his own own research
and writing about African American history. The home continued to serve as the national headquarters of the Association until the early 1970s.
The house was designated a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
in 1976 but became vacant in the 1990s. In 2001, the National Trust for Historic Preservation placed the site on a list of "11 Most Endangered" historic properties. With advocacy by the NTHP, local preservationists, and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton
Eleanor Holmes Norton
Eleanor Holmes Norton is a Delegate to Congress representing the District of Columbia. In her position she is able to serve on and vote with committees, as well as speak from the House floor...
, the National Historic Site
National Historical Park
National Historic Sites are protected areas of national historic significance in the United States. A National Historic Site usually contains a single historical feature directly associated with its subject...
was authorized by Public Law 108-192 on December 19, 2003, and established by Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton
Gale Norton
Gale Ann Norton served as the 48th United States Secretary of the Interior from 2001 to 2006 under President George W. Bush...
on February 27, 2006. The property was acquired by the National Park Service
National Park Service
The National Park Service is the U.S. federal agency that manages all national parks, many national monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations...
in 2005. The home is still vacant and closed to the public but the rehabilitation of the home is currently being planned by the National Park Service in partnership with local architecture firm Beyer Blinder Belle
Beyer Blinder Belle
Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners LLP is an international architecture firm. It is based in New York City and has an additional office in Washington, DC. The firm's name is derived from the three founding partners: John H. Beyer, Richard Blinder, and John Belle. The three architects met...
.
External links
- Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site
- Public Law 108-192 authorizing Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site
- Federal Register: February 27, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 38), p. 9834 establishing National Historic Site
- Announcement of site establishment
- National Historic Landmark information