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Peer Into the Past at the Carter G. Woodson Home
Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site, National Capital Parks-East Woodson Home NHSThe Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site
NPS Activity
Guided Tours Ranger-led tours of the home are only offered on the days the site is open to the public on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Tours are given every hour with the exception of 12 noon. Drop-ins are welcome. Groups of more than 10 people are strongly encouraged to make a reservation before-hand. Reservations can be made online through recreation.gov, or by calling (202) 426-5961, or emailing woodsonnhs@nps.gov.
The National Park Service also offers walking tours of Dr. Woodson's neighborhood within the historic Shaw community.
 
 Pets Allowed
No Service animals areallowed in national parks. For a definition of a service animal, please see theAmericans with Disability Act (ADA) definition.
 Activity Fee
No No fee required.
 Location
Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site 1538 Ninth Street, N.W.
Washington,D.C.20001
 Reservations
Yes
 
 Time of Day
Day The home is only open on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
 accessible ramp and accessible parking spot
 Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site, National Capital Parks-East Tags carter g. woodson home national historic site
national capital parks-east
cawo
carter g. woodson
civil rights
history
dc
civil rights history
african american
historic homes
carter g woodson
carter g woodson home national historic site
african american history
black history month
 The façade of Dr. Carter G. Woodson's office-home as it appeared when he was aliveThe facade of Dr. Carter G. Woodson's office-home during his residency ASALH The Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site, located in Washington, D.C., served as the home of the “Father of Black History,” Dr. Carter G. Woodson from 1922 until his death in 1950. Carter Godwin Woodson was born on December 19, 1875 in New Canton, Virginia to parents that had been enslaved. As an African American boy growing up in central Virginia during the late 19th century, he had few educational or employment opportunities. In pursuit of a new life, he and his family moved to Huntington, West Virginia, where he worked in the New River Gorge coalfields to help supplement the family’s income. Finally, by the time he was 20, Woodson saved enough money from his days as a coal miner to begin his formal education. In 1912, Woodson became the second African American (and the only person of enslaved parentage) to earn a PhD from Harvard University. As the nation’s first professionally trained historian of African descent, Woodson institutionalized the study of African American history, and from his home located at 1538 Ninth Street, N.W. in the heart of the city’s Shaw Neighborhood, he directed the operations of his organization, the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, Inc., ran a publishing company, the Associated Publishers, Inc. and in 1926, started Negro History Week, which is now observed as Black History Month.  The home is open to the public for tours on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays and offers interpretive and educational programs throughout the year.
 Tags carter g. woodson home national historic site
national capital parks-east
cawo
carter g. woodson
civil rights
history
dc
civil rights history
african american
historic homes
carter g woodson
carter g woodson home national historic site
african american history
black history month
 Last updated: April 10, 2021


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