A bill to provide for the establishment of the Boston African American National Historic Site in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and for other purposes.
PL 96-430 (H.R.7434), enacted 10/10/1980

PUBLIC LAW 96-430—OCT. 10, 1980 
94 STAT. 1845 
Public Law 96-430 
96th Congress 
An Act 
To provide for the establishment of the Boston African American National Historic 
Site in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, 
TITLE I—BOSTON AFRICAN AMERICAN NATIONAL HISTORIC 
SITE 
Oct. 10, 1980 
[H.R. 7434] 
Boston African 
American 
National 
Historic Site, 
establishment. 
16 u s e 461 note. 
Map, public 
availability. 
SEC. 101. In order to preserve for the benefit and inspiration of the 
people of the United States as a national historic site certain historic 
structures and properties of outstanding national significance located 
in Boston, Massachusetts, and £issociated with the creation and 
development of a free African American community within Beacon 
Hill prior to the Civil War, the Secretary of the Interior (hereinafter 
in this Act referred to as the "Secretary") is authorized to establish 
the Boston African American National Historic Site, including the 
African American Meeting House, within the area generally depicted 
on the map entitled "Boundary Map, Boston African American 
National Historic Site", numbered BOAF-80,000 and dated March 
1980. The map shall be on file and available for public inspection in 
the offices of the National Park Service, Department of the Interior. 
SEC. 102. At such time as the Secretary determines that sufficient 
properties within the boundary of the site are the subject of coopera-
tive agreements pursuant to section 103, he may establish the area as 
the Boston African American National Historic Site. Pending such Administration 
establishment and thereafter, the site shall be administered by the 
Secretary in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the 
provisions of law generally applicable to the administration of 
national historic sites, including the Act of August 25,1916 (39 Stat. 
535; 16 U.S.C. 1, 2-4) and the Act of August 21,1935 (49 Stat. 666; 16 
U.S.C. 461-467). 
SEC. 103. The Secretary may accept any gift or bequest of any 
property depicted on the map referred to in the first section of this 
Act, and he is authorized to enter into cooperative agreements with 
the city of Boston, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, or any of 
their political subdivisions, or any private person or organization, 
including the Beacon Hill Architectural Commission, to mark, inter-
pret, restore, provide technical assistance, or any combination 
thereof, and for such other activities as may be necessary for the 
preservation of any properties depicted on such map. Cooperative 
agreements shall contain, but need not be limited to, provisions that 
(1) the Secretary, through the National Park Service, or some 
appropriate private group contracted to the National Park Service 
for this purpose, shall have the right at all reasonable times to 
interpret the exterior of the properties, and such portions of the 
interior as have been mutually agreed upon, and (2) no changes or 
alterations shall be made in such properties except by mutual 
Gifts or bequests, 
cooperative 
agreements. 
94 STAT. 1846 
PUBLIC LAW 96-430—OCT. 10, 1980 
Fees. 
Site 
identification. 
Management 
plan, submittal 
to congressional 
committees. 
Appropriation 
authorization. 
National Center 
for the Study of 
Afro-American 
History and 
Culture Act. 
20 u s e 3701 
note. 
Commission. 
20 u s e 3701. 
Duties. 
Plan, submittal 
to President and 
Congress. 
agreement between the Secretary and the other parties to such 
agreements. The agreements may contain specific provisions which 
outUne in detail the extent of the participation by the Secretary in 
the restoration, preservation, or maintenance of such historic proper-
ties. The Secretary is authorized in his discretion to assist with 
maintenance directly related to public visitation of those properties 
covered by cooperative agreements consummated pursuant to this 
Act. No funds may be expended on a property until after the 
Secretary determines that there is applicable to that property a 
binding written cooperative agreement which remains in force and 
effect assuring the preservation and historical integrity of such 
property. If any fees are charged for the use of a property covered by a 
cooperative agreement, and Federal funds are committed in the 
cooperative agreements, the income from such fees shall be applied to 
the costs of maintenance and renovation of that property. Notwith-
standing any other provision of law, no Federal fees shall be charged 
for entrance or admission to the historic site. 
SEC. 104. The Secretary, in cooperation with other interested 
groups, may identify other significant sites relating to the nineteenth 
century free African American community on Beacon Hill, Boston, 
which are related to the historic site authorized by this Act, and, with 
the consent of the owners thereof, may mark them appropriately and 
make reference to them in any interpretive literature. 
SEC. 105. Within three complete fiscal years from the effective date 
of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Interior 
and Insular Affairs of the United States House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the United 
States Senate, a comprehensive general management plan for the 
historic site, pursuant to the provisions of section 12(b) of the Act of 
August 18,1970 (84 Stat. 825; 16 U.S.C. la-1 et seq.). 
SEC. 106. Effective on October 1, 1981, there are authorized to be 
appropriated such sums EIS may be necessary to carry out the 
provisions of this Act. Notwithstanding any other provision of this 
Act, authority to enter into contracts, to incur obligations, or to make 
payments under this Act shall be effective only to the extent, and in 
such amounts, as are provided in advance in appropriation Acts. 
TITLE II—NATIONAL CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF AFRO-
AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE 
SEC. 201. This title may be cited as the "National Center for the 
Study of Afro-American History and Culture Act". 
SEC. 202. (a) There is established a commission to be known as the 
National Afro-American History and Culture Commission (herein-
after in this title referred to as the "Commission") which shall be 
composed of fifteen members, as specified in section 203 of this title, 
(b) The Commission shall have the following duties: 
(1) The Commission shall be responsible for the development of 
a definitive plan for the construction and operation of the 
National Center for the Study of Afro-American History and 
Culture and shall submit the plan, together with any recommen-
dations for additional legislation, to the President of the United 
States and the Congress not later than twenty-four months after 
the date of the enactment of this title. The plan shall include, but 
not be limited to, identification of— 
(A) the main objectives to be achieved by the establish-
ment, development, and operation of the National Center for 
the Study of Afro-American History and Culture; 
PUBLIC LAW 96-430—OCT. 10, 1980 
94 STAT. 1847 
(B) the types of uses, both public and private, to be 
accommodated by such a center; 
(C) the criteria and recommendations for the design and 
appearance of such a center; 
(D) the proposed ownership and operation of the center; 
(E) the criteria and recommendations for interpretive, 
cultural, and educational programs and uses of the center; 
(F) the areas where cooperative agreements might be 
developed between the center and Afro-American institu-
tions, organizations, and universities to enhance their pro-
grams and projects relating to the knowledge, preservation, 
and presentation of the history and culture of Afro-
Americans; 
(G) the estimates of costs, both public and private, for 
implementing the plan; and 
(H) the procedures to be used in implementing the plan. 
(2)(A) The Commission shall solicit subscriptions of funds from 
private and public sources to help meet the costs of carrying out 
its duties under this section; the costs of the construction, 
furnishing, and operation of the center; the costs of research 
programs and research staff positions, and reasonable adminis-
trative costs which may include, subject to the availability of 
funds, payment to members of the Commission of travel 
expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in the same 
manner as persons employed intermittently in the Government 
service are allowed expenses under section 5703 of title 5, United 
States Code. Any funds so received by the Commission shall be 
placed in a special deposit account with the Treasurer of the 
United States, and may be expended by the Commission only to 
meet the costs specified in this subparagraph. 
(B) The General Services Administration, the Smithsonian 
Institution, and other agencies of the Government may donate or 
loan to the Commission for the purposes of the center any works 
of art, artifacts, or other materials under their control. 
(c) For the purpose of carrying out this title, the Commission 
m a y -
C
D acquire by gift, purchase with appropriated or donated funds 
(including funds from State or local sources), transfer from any 
Federal or State agency, exchange, or otherwise, suitable land 
(together with any buildings or other improvements thereon) and 
interest in land in the vicinity of Wilberforce, Ohio, for the 
location of the headquarters of the center; 
(2) borrow or acquire by gift, purchase with appropriated or 
donated funds (including funds from State or local sources), or 
otherwise, any other real or personal property necessary for the 
establishment and operation of the center; and 
(3) sell, exchange, or otherwise dispose of any property 
acquired under this subsection and designate any proceeds from 
such disposal for the benefit of the center. 
SEC. 203. (a) The Commission shall be composed of fifteen members 
as follows: 
(1) The Secretary of the Interior (or his designee). 
(2) The Secretary of Education (or his designee). 
(3) The Librarian of Congress (or his designee). 
(4) The President of the Association for the Study of Afro-
American Life and History. 
Funds, 
solicitation. 
Special deposit 
account. 
Art and artifacts, 
donation or loan. 
Property, 
acquisition and 
disposal. 
Membership. 
20 u s e 3702. 
94 STAT. 1848 
PUBLIC LAW 96-430—OCT. 10, 1980 
Terms of office. 
Membership 
continuation. 
Vacancies. 
Quorum. 
Voting. 
Officers. 
Meetings. 
Seal; bylaws, 
rules. 
Compensation. 
Services, 
procurement. 
Personnel 
details. 
GSA 
administrative 
support services. 
Report to 
congressional 
committees. 
20 u s e 3703. 
(5) The presidents of Wilberforce University and Central State 
University in Ohio. 
(6) Nine members appointed by the President, who are espe-
cially qualified to serve on the Commission by reason of their 
background and experience. No more than two members 
appointed under this paragraph shall be from any one State. 
(b) Subject to subsection (c), the members of the Commission 
specified in paragraphs (1) through (5) of subsection (a) shall serve for 
the life of the Commission. The members of the Commission 
appointed under paragraph (6) of such subsection shall serve for 
terms of four years, except that of the members first appointed— 
(1) three shall be appointed for terms of one year; 
(2) three shall be appointed for terms of two years; and 
(3) three shall be appointed for terms of four years; 
as designated by the President at the time of appointment. 
(c) If any member of the Commission who was appointed to the 
Commission under paragraphs (1) through (5) as an officer designated 
under such paragraphs leaves such office, such member may 
continue as a member of the Commission for not longer than the 
thirty-day period beginning on the date he leaves that office. 
(d)(1) Any vacancy in the Commission shall be filled in the same 
manner in which the original appointment was made. 
(2) Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the 
expiration of the term for which his predecessor was appointed shall 
be appointed for the remainder of such term. Members may be 
reappointed. 
(e) Six members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum. 
(f) The Commission shall act by affirmative majority vote. 
(g) The Commission shall elect a chairman and other officers from 
among its members to serve for terms established by the Commission. 
(h) The Commission shall meet at the call of the chairman or a 
majority of its members, but not less than two times each year. The 
headquarters of the Commission shall be at Wilberforce, Ohio, and 
the Commission shall conduct its meetings in such city unless 
circumstances otherwise require. 
(i) The Commission may adopt an official seal which shall be 
judicially noticed and may make such bylaws, rules, and regulations 
as it considers necessary to carry out its functions under this title. 
(j) Members of the Commission shall serve without pay. 
(k) The Commission may procure, subject to the availability of 
funds, temporary and intermittent services to the same extent as is 
authorized by section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code. 
(1) Upon request of the Commission, and subject to the availability 
of funds, the head of any Federal agency may detail to the Commis-
sion on a reimbursable basis any of the personnel of such agency to 
assist the Commission in carrying out its duties under this title. 
(m) The Administrator of the General Services Administration 
shall provide to the Commission on a reimbursable basis such 
administrative support services as the Commission may request to 
carry out its duties under this title. 
SEC. 204. On the first January 1 occurring after the date of the 
enactment of this title, and on each subsequent January 1, the 
Commission shall submit to appropriate committees of the Congress a 
PUBLIC LAW 96-430—OCT. 10, 1980 
94 STAT. 1849 
report which contains a detailed statement of the financial transac-
tions of the Commission and the activities undertaken by the Com-
mission during the previous year. The report shall contain such other 
appropriate information as the committees to whom the report is 
submitted may from time to time request. 
Approved October 10, 1980. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: 
HOUSE REPORT No. 96-1239 (Comm. on Interior and Insular Affairs). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 126 (1980): 
Aug. 25, considered and passed House. 
Sept. 30, considered and passed Senate, amended. 
Oct. 1, House concurred in Senate amendments. 
WEEKLY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS, Vol. 16, No. 42: 
Oct. 10, Presidential statement.