1 Day "African American Heritage Trail" Tour Summary
Fairfax County and the Capital region are rich with African American history. With one day in Fairfax County, you’ll take a look at both aspects of this legacy. Start your day at George Mason’s Gunston Hall, and gain insight into 18th century slave life. Next, travel to George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens. Washington was a critic of slavery but, nonetheless, like most 18th century plantation owners he owned many slaves. See how Washington dealt with this contradiction, visit the Slave Memorial at the estate, and find out how he ultimately freed his slaves. Finally, travel to the Gum Springs Historical Society and Museum, and learn about the thriving African American community created by freed Washington slave West Ford.
2 Day "African American Heritage Trail" Tour Summary
With two days to explore the area’s legacy of African American heritage, you’ll gain insight into George Washington’s struggle with the institution of slavery, and his response, at Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens. At the Gum Springs Historical Society and Museum, you’ll discover the thriving African American community created by freed Washington slave West Ford. Later in the day, travel to the Alexandria Black History Museum, where the local and regional cultural traditions of African Americans are explored, and Arlington National Cemetery, once the site of a Freedman’s Village established by the government to house and educate emancipated slaves.
On day two, learn about the life of a slave in 18th century Northern Virginia at George Mason’s Gunston Hall. Mason, like his compatriot Washington, spoke out against slavery, but owned nearly 100 slaves himself. Later travel to Alexandria, an area where African American history abounds. You’ll visit the Alexandria Archaeology Museum and learn about the amazing finds uncovered through the museum staff’s work, and stop by The Lyceum, Alexandria’s History Museum, to discover the contributions of African Americans in the city’s evolution.
5 Day "African American Heritage Trail" Tour Summary
On a five day tour of African American heritage sites in the Capital Region, we recommend spending your first day in the southern Fairfax County area. Here you’ll visit George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens, and learn about Washington’s struggle with the institution of slavery. You’ll also see Gum Springs, the historic African American community founded by freed slave West Ford, and swing into the Alexandria Black History Museum, before finishing your day with a visit to Arlington National Cemetery.
On day two, drop by the Sully Historic Site, to take a glimpse at slave life on a small plantation, and then head into Washington D.C. where such great sites as Cedar Hill, the home of abolitionist leader, publisher, and Underground Railroad stationmaster Frederick Douglass. Also in store is a trip to the African American Civil War Memorial and Museum, the iconic Founders Library at Howard University and a swing over to the U Street area, the city’s heart of African American culture, including Bohemian Caverns and the Lincoln Theatre.
We recommend making your way to the Lincoln Memorial, on the National Mall, to begin day three, where you can read the Gettysburg address, and stand at the very spot from which Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech. Next it’s time to hit the museums! You’ll be wowed by the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art, and fascinated by the “African Voices” exhibit at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Take a break at the Freedmen’s Memorial, which depicts Lincoln emancipating the slaves, and finish day three with a stroll through the Smithsonian Anacostia Museum and Center for African American History and Culture.
The eastern edge of the county beckons to begin the fourth day of your tour, with a stop at George Mason’s Gunston Hall. Mason, like his compatriot Washington, also spoke out against slavery. You’ll visit the Alexandria Archaeology Museum and learn about the incredible finds uncovered through the museum staff’s work. Some of the sites investigated include The Bottoms Neighborhood, Wilkes Street Pottery, the Alfred Street Baptist Church, and the Alexandria Slave Pen. End your day with a visit to Arlington National Cemetery, once the site of a Freedman’s Village established by the government to house and educate emancipated slaves.
On the last day of your visit, you’ll want to make time for a trip to Baltimore, where the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of African American Culture is located. This museum strives to create a climate for the appreciation of the rich contributions in history, art, culture and spiritual expressions of African American Marylanders. Later, spend some time at the amazing National Great Blacks in Wax Museum. Founded by Drs. Elmer and Joanne Martin, the museum features over 100 wax figures and scenes, a full model slave ship exhibit which portrays the 400-year history of the Atlantic Slave Trade, and much more.
