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African American History in Washington DC: Tour of the Shaw and LeDroit Park Neighborhoods
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Dr. Carter G. Woodson is often called the Father of Black History. He is best known for being the founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. At the start of the ASALH, he led meetings and gatherings for the organization at his home at 1538 9th Street NW in Washington DC. In 1970, the ASALH moved from Woodson's house to its headquarters on 525 Bryant Street. The Carter G. Woodson Home is now a National Historical Landmark (The Carter G. Woodson Home).


The outside of the Carter G. Woodson Home.

The outside of the Carter G. Woodson Home.

Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the Father of Black History (The Carter G. Woodson Home).

Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the Father of Black History (The Carter G. Woodson Home).

The Carter G. Woodson Home was the site of some of the most productivity ever seen for the spread of African American History. Woodson’s home provided education, held meetings, and was even used to publish his own historical works. The Woodson Home was even home to Woodson’s own company for publishing books, entitled Associated Publishers. From its founding up until Woodson’s death in 1950, and for some years afterward, this building spread information on African American History to the world (The Carter G. Woodson Home).

Today, the Carter G. Woodson home is a National Historical Landmark and is still used to hold events. Ever year, the ASALH celebrates Woodson’s birthday with an event at the Woodson Home. It became a landmark in 1976, and is part of the National Park System. With the help of the upkeep and importance of his home, Dr. Woodson will be remembered for years to come (The Carter G. Woodson Home).

The Woodson home is in the Shaw neighborhood of DC, which is often called the “Heart of the African American Community in Washington” (The Carter G. Woodson Home). The Shaw neighborhood is also home to places such as the Shiloh Baptist Church, the African American Civil War Memorial, and more. It is also known as being the home of Howard University. The ASALH still considers Woodson to be a very important figure, and has continued to celebrate him by having his home made a National Historical Landmark (The Carter G. Woodson Home).

"The Carter G. Woodson Home," Association for the Study of African American Life and History, accessed October 1, 2014, http://asalh.org/WoodsonHome.html. Romero, Patricia Watkins, Carter G. Woodson: A Biography. Ann Arbor, University Microfilms International 1986. 1971 Doctoral Dissertation (copy can be found at Marshall University in West Virginia: http://www.marshall.edu/special-collections/#gsc.tab=0) Goggin, Jacqueline, Carter G. Woodson: A Life in Black History. Baton Rouge Louisiana State University Press 1993