Black History & Heritage Sites

The African American experience is intricately entwined in the rich tapestry of Fairfax County’s history and in America’s story. With a wealth of African American historical sites throughout the Washington, DC and Northern Virginia region, take a journey to reflect on the sacrifices and vital contributions that African Americans have made throughout our history.

Art shown in header image created by artist Marly McFly - on permanent display at the Workhouse Arts Center

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Image courtesy National Museum of African American History and Culture

The only national museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, history, and culture, this national treasure explores the topics of history, culture, race, and social justice through thought-provoking collections, stunning exhibits, and interactive multimedia.
Where: National Mall, Washington, DC
Hot tip: Due to demand, timed-entry passes may be needed for this free museum during certain peak times and seasons. Be sure to check on passes in advance.

George Washington’s Mount Vernon

Slave Cabin at George Washington's Mount Vernon
Image courtesy Mount Vernon

The historic home of George Washington includes 25 interactive galleries and theaters featuring guided tours telling the stories of the enslaved people of Mount Vernon, slave quarters, and memorials dedicated to the memory of the enslaved and free Black people buried on site.
Where: Mount Vernon, Fairfax County, Virginia
Hot tip: Commemorate the enslaved community at Mount Vernon during their special wreathlaying presentations, offered daily, February - October.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial

When we aren't celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we can honor King’s life and legacy all year long at the first memorial on the National Mall devoted to a citizen activist for civil rights and peace. The MLK, Jr. Memorial is a tribute to a man of conscience, the freedom movement, and his message of equality, justice, and love.
Where: Tidal Basin, Washington, DC
Hot tip: Combine this stop with a visit to the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, where Dr. King gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech.

Gum Springs

Gum Springs Museum
Image courtesy Gum Springs

Gum Springs is a town of 2,500 residents that was established in 1833 by West Ford, a freed slave. It became a haven for former slaves, both freedmen and runaways, creating a self-sufficient community that thrived into one of the oldest African American communities in the United States.
Where: near Mount Vernon, Fairfax County, Virginia
Hot tip: Visit the Gum Springs Historical Society’s Museum & Cultural Center, open Monday-Friday from 6-8pm and Tuesdays/Saturdays from 1-3pm. It’s advisable to call to confirm hours before visiting.

George Mason’s Gunston Hall

Image courtesy Gunston Hall

Located not far from Mount Vernon, Gunston Hall is the historic home of George Mason, the outspoken proponent of civil liberties and author of Virginia’s Declaration of Rights, yet also a former slave owner. This sprawling plantation includes restored structures and interpretative actors throughout the grounds that depict the varying contributors, including slaves, that made the 18th-century household work.
Where: Mason Neck, Fairfax County, Virginia
Hot tip: Read more about this Founding Father’s complicated relationship with slavery before you visit, to get a better understanding of his viewpoints.

Laurel Grove School Museum

Laurel Grove School

Laurel Grove, a former African American schoolhouse, tells the unique story of a community’s refusal to narrow its ambitions. This site, now the last remaining African American school in the region, serves as a "living museum" and is typically open by appointment only.
Where: Alexandria, Fairfax County, Virginia
Hot tip: You can learn more about the Laurel Grove School here.

Sully Historic Site

Sully Historic Site Slave Quarters
Image courtesy Don Sweeney/Fairfax County Park Authority

On the National Register of Historic Places, Sully includes original outbuildings, representative slave quarters, and gardens in addition to the main house. Guided tours highlight early 19th century life of the family, their tenant farmers, and enslaved African Americans.
Where: Chantilly, Fairfax County, Virginia
Hot tip: Access to the park is free, but there is a small fee for guided tours of the main house. Be sure to check the event schedule for the day, as there are many programs and activities throughout the year.

Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

The world’s largest collection of aviation artifacts includes tributes to the Tuskegee Airmen, the heroic African American pilots of World War II. From the Space Shuttle Discovery to the world’s fastest jet, come see the world’s most famous aircraft and spacecraft.
Where: Chantilly, Fairfax County, Virginia
Hot tip: Check the museum’s website for special content relating to African American history such as African American Pioneers in Aviation and Space: The Struggle for Equal Access to the Skies

Historic Pleasant Grove Church

Historic Pleasant Grove Church
Image courtesy Friends of Pleasant Grove

This community landmark and historic church was built in 1895 by and for African and Native Americans. On-site, you can also visit the Frances K. Moore Memorial Museum, named for a descendant of the church founders. It features a unique collection of late 19th and 20th-century household furnishings, tools, photographs, and memorabilia.
Where: McLean, Fairfax County, Virginia
Hot tip: Keep an eye out for the many cultural and community-wide programs and events held by the Friends of Pleasant Grove throughout the year, including the annual Black History Celebration which features the Washington Revels Jubilee Voices Ensemble.

Tinner Hill Historic Park & Monument

Tinner Hill Historic Site
Image courtesy NOVA Parks

Tinner Hill is recognized as the location where the first rural branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was initiated in the United States. Today, a 15-foot monument constructed of pink granite honors the men and women of Tinner Hill who made this happen and nearby, visit the historic site and Zig Zag Monument, a sculpture that follows the original location of the segregation line.
Where: City of Falls Church, Virginia
Hot tip: Every June, the annual Tinner Hill Blues Festival descends on Falls Church – the only three-day music festival in Northern Virginia.

African American Civil War Memorial & Museum

African American Civil War Memorial

As the nation’s only memorial to African American Civil War soldiers, this site is inscribed with the names of more than 200,000 members of the United States Colored Troops who fought in the Union Army. Nearby, the museum tells the stories and preserves the roles these brave soldiers played in ending slavery and keeping America united under one flag.
Where: U Street Corridor, Washington, DC
Hot tip: Keep an eye out for this museum to relocate to the historic Grimke School in the fall of 2020.

Frederick Douglass Historical Site

Frederick Douglass House - Cedar Hill

At Cedar Hill, the former home of Frederick Douglass, visitors gain insight into the man who was a leading voice in the abolitionist movement. Restored to its 1895 appearance, the house is furnished with original objects and guided tours are available daily (the only way to access the house interior).
Where: Anacostia, Washington, DC
Hot tip: Photographers, take note: the grounds of Cedar Hill provide a spectacular view of the Washington, DC skyline.

Smithsonian National Museum of African Art

National Museum of African Art

America’s only museum dedicated to the collection, research, conservation, and exhibition of traditional and contemporary African art. Docent-led tours are available throughout the week and special events occur throughout the year. Admission is free.
Where: National Mall, Washington, DC
Hot tip: Exhibits are always changing, so visit more than once!