Rebuilding Place in the Urban Space

"A community’s physical form, rather than its land uses, is its most intrinsic and enduring characteristic." [Katz, EPA] This blog focuses on place and placemaking and all that makes it work--historic preservation, urban design, transportation, asset-based community development, arts & cultural development, commercial district revitalization, tourism & destination development, and quality of life advocacy--along with doses of civic engagement and good governance watchdogging.

Friday, February 28, 2020

Two ideas about presentation of African American History in the context of Black History Month

1.  Creating state-wide and regional history networks for African-American cultural interpretation.  One of the problems with creating African-American history museums is that while it is supported politically, once a museum is created they tend to not be well patronized.  Many have had serious budget problems.

Virginia Civil War Trails directional markerWhen I was doing work with some people in Cambridge, Maryland--where Harriet Tubman lived, and there is a small museum in Cambridge and more recently, the National Park Service created the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park--I came to the conclusion that rather being satisfied with creating one off museums; local history trails; and the like, why not, using the example of the multi-state Civil War history trail, create regional and multi-state African-American history trails, incorporating existing assets.

The Civil War multi-state trail program includes more than 1000 sites in Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia--six states.  (In fact, DC should participate too.)

But states could create statewide African-American trails of sites, museums, places, etc. too.

South Side Station historic marker, Petersburg, VA:  Lee's Retreat, Virginia Civil War Trails

I wrote about this in more depth in "6Ps and cultural planning and the failure to create a network of African American historic sites across the DMV" (2016) in response to articles spurred by the opening of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Many local culture professionals argued it would be a boon to other African American history sites and facilities in the area, whereas I thought that it wouldn't happen on a trickle down basis, that an overt network of such assets, facilities, and sites needed to be created.

Local DC does have a history trail, Baltimore has a variety of relevant sites, Richmond has a Slave Trail, there is the Alexandria Black History Museum, among many such resources across the region.  Just think how much stronger and more powerful these trails could be linked up as part of a broader system.
DC African-American Heritage Trail sign, Georgia Douglas Johnson Residence

2.  How about a month long "Doors Open" event during Black History Month"Doors Open" events were pioneered in Europe, and are when a community's culture organizations band together to provide a coordinated schedule of events, usually over a weekend, where people get free access to various cultural sites and events, many of which are not normally open to the public.

In North America, Doors Open Toronto is probably the biggest.  The Toronto Star even publishes an event guide. (2011 Doors Open Toronto Guide)

But Open House New York Weekend  is increasingly a big deal.  Pittsburgh created Doors Open Pittsburgh.

In DC the Dupont-Kalorama Museums Consortium has had a district-specific Doors Open event for many years, as do the art galleries on Upper Wisconsin Avenue in Georgetown, but including the participation of AU's Katzen Center for the Arts and the Kreeger Museum.  It's not exactly the same, but Georgetown Glow, an outdoor sculpture walk in December and January is growing into a great event.

My latest idea is that during February, Black History Month, community cultural organizations should organize a common calendar of events, along the lines of "Doors Open" events, where a community's cultural organization organize a weekend, week, or month of related activities.

In the DC context, ideally federal assets like the NMAAHC, the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, and the Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site would also participate as well as the area PBS stations, etc.

A regional example from Southern California, Pacific Standard Time, a cross-museum program promoting California arts, spearheaded by the Getty Museum, shows how this can be done across jurisdictions.

Labels: , , ,

26 Comments:

At 6:33 PM, Blogger Richard Layman said...

https://www.austinchronicle.com/events/community/events/community-bus-tour-and-shoebox-picnic-2692627

https://www.nchmuseum.org/

 
At 1:10 PM, Blogger Richard Layman said...

This has potential too.

https://www.sltrib.com/news/2020/03/01/black-history-museum/

 
At 7:34 AM, Blogger Southwest Airlines Reservations said...

klm reservations
Copa Airlines Reservations
Hawaiian Airlines Reservations
Spirit Airlines Reservations

 
At 5:49 AM, Blogger Southwest Airlines Reservations said...

Air Choice One Reservations
Mesa Airlines Reservations
Air Sunshine Reservations
PenAir Reservations
Bering Air Reservations
Piedmont Airlines Reservations
Boutique Airlines Reservations
PSA Airlines Reservations
Frontier Flying Airlines Reservations
Grand Canyon Airlines Reservations

 
At 9:20 AM, Blogger Southwest Airlines Reservations said...

Superior Aviation Airlines Reservations
Alaska Central Express Reservations
Garuda Indonesia Reservations
Georgian Airways Reservations
Ameriflight Reservations
Asia Pacific Airlines Reservations
Bemidji Airlines Reservations
Hong Kong Airlines Reservations
Iceland Air Reservations
Interjet Reservations

 
At 1:48 AM, Blogger Southwest Airlines Reservations said...

Japan Transocean Air Reservations
Japan Airlines Reservations
Jubba Airways Reservations
Jet2 Airlines Reservations
KLM Reservations
Korean Air Reservations
Aegean Airlines Reservations
Aerogal Airlines Reservations
Aeromexico Reservations
Afriqiyah Airways Reservations

 
At 8:05 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

British Airways Reservations A good Blog gives a lot more knowledge about this. I will continue to support your work Thank you.

 
At 3:57 AM, Blogger Olivia Sophie said...

Write For Us - Travel

 
At 2:18 AM, Blogger AirLines247 said...


Frontier Airlines Cancellation Policy It's an extraordinary delight perusing your post. It truly causes me to feel Happy and Thanku Sharing Your Post.

 
At 6:32 AM, Anonymous Spirit Airlines Customer Service said...

For more information on travel details and book a great flight at Spirit Airlines Customer Service.

 
At 8:34 AM, Blogger jacksonparkar said...

Make Allegiant Airlines flights reservations via Allegiant Airlines' & find the best deals and offers of the day. Save more on your travels visit now Allegiant Airlines Fare Calendar.

 
At 5:09 AM, Blogger jacksonparkar said...

Sun Country Phone Number - Now to Book Sun Country Airlines flights Sun Country phone number at lowest airfare. Get the best flights deals and offers so visit now Sun Country Phone Number.

 
At 5:13 AM, Blogger jacksonparkar said...

Flight deals and discounts through Allegiant make it easy to see the world and enjoy world-class service - even on a budget. Booking and save your money so more information visit now Allegiant Airlines Customer Care.

 
At 6:54 AM, Anonymous Swiss Airlines Manage Booking said...

Canceling your Swiss Airlines ticket is one of the other great qualifications that can be availed with Swiss Airlines Manage Booking.

 
At 7:57 AM, Blogger Unknown said...

To be honest I found very helpful information your blog thanks for providing us such blog AUS vs IND Dream11 Team Prediction

 
At 8:12 AM, Blogger Unknown said...


To be honest I found very helpful information your blog thanks for providing us such blog Jadeja Heroics Against Australia In 3rd ODI

 
At 5:13 AM, Blogger Nick Smith said...


Southwest Airlines support Number
Southwest Airlines Booking Number
Southwest Airlines Reservation Number
Southwest Airlines Cancellation Number
Southwest Airlines Manage Booking




Spirit Airlines Support Number
Spirit Airlines Booking Number
Spirit Airlines Reservation Number
Spirit Airlines Manage Booking Number


Thanks for your article. It was interesting and informative.Here I also want to suggest your reader who usually travels one place to another they mustvisit spirit Airlines that offer best deals to book your seat on Alaska Airlines Reservation Number .So do hurry and avail the best deals and get rid of to check different websites for offers.Delta Airlines Cancellation Number


Spirit Airlines Booking Number
Spirit Airlines Morning Flights
Spirit Airlines Reservation Number
Spirit Airlines Reservations
Spirit Airlines Support Number


Frontier Airlines Booking number
Cheap Flights
how to find cheap flights
how to get cheap flights
where to find cheap flights
Frontier Airlines Reservation Number
Frontier Airlines Reservations


Etihad Airways, Etihad Airways Cancellation Number, Etihad Airways Cancellation Policy, Etihad Airways Manage Booking, Etihad Airways Refund Policy

Delta Airlines Cancellation Number


Alaska Airlines manage booking
Alaska Airlines Reservation Number



jetblue airways manage booking number

 
At 8:31 AM, Blogger devinthapa said...

Thai Airways Booking

Easyjet Booking

Kuwait Airways Booking

Virgin Blue Reservations

porter airlines customer service

Ryanair Reservations

Finnair Reservations

 
At 6:40 AM, Blogger Southwest Airlines Reservations said...

I am thankful to you because your article is very helpful for me to carry on with my research in the same area Caribbean Airlines Reservations

 
At 2:23 AM, Blogger Nick Smith said...

Are you stuck in a place that you will not be able to leave the flight you booked? If yes, then you do not have to panic as there is a possibility to edit or manage your travel. And, this is very well known and introduced by Allegiant Air. Allegiant Air
Allegiant Air Booking Number

 
At 1:51 AM, Blogger JetBlue Book A Flight said...

Great Job, your blog is very valuable for us. I totally agree with what you are saying and hope to see more of your posts in the near future.
American airlines tickets
Jetblue Flight Tickets
Southwest Airlines Tickets
Spirit Airlines Tickets
Aeromexico tickets
Frontier airlines tickets
Qatar airways flight booking
Delta airlines tickets
Turkish airlines tickets
Southwest Airlines Low Fare Calendar

 
At 7:27 AM, Blogger bellacallen said...

What an Information? Such great Information. Thanks for sharing with us.
If you don't know how to set up your Earthlink Email Settings Android, you are in the right place. Our Earthlink team of experts is here to guide you regarding Earthlink issues. Just dial our Earthlink toll-free number and they will provide you with step-by-step solutions to your problems.

 
At 1:16 PM, Blogger Ragani Tiwari said...

I read your post. Such wonderful information. Thanks for sharing with us.
Akshi has the most trusted firm for Steel Rolling Mill Plant. Least of the people know how to get the best products through Akshi Engineers. Our ready-to-serve team is available at Akshi Customer Service. Reach us for the best quality products for Turnkey Project Solutions.

 
At 8:04 AM, Blogger Best Flights Booking For USA said...

Find the cheapest flights with Faresmatch. We find and price compare from more than 1200 airlines and travel sites, giving you the best rates. Cheap air tickets are always available on Faresmatch - Find the best Low cost airline tickets and flight discount around the world.
Fare Compare
Southwest Airlines Sale 69$
Alaska Airlines Booking
Delta Airlines Booking
Allegiant Airlines Booking
Southwest Airlines Flights
Spirit Airlines Booking

 
At 6:32 AM, Blogger Best Flights Booking For USA said...

You may think of many ways to save money on your travel bookings. If you're looking for Fares Match Flights deals, you can select the essential and vital stuff to ensure that your holiday booking is at a low cost. You can make sure that your journey is affordable by doing this.
Travel Destinations:
Best Travel Plan
Cheap Flights To Denver
Cheap Flights To Dallas
Cheap Flights To New York
Cheap Flights To San Antonio
Cheap Flights To San Jose
Cheap Flights To Las Vegas
Cheap Flights To Honolulu

 
At 9:44 AM, Anonymous Book Flight Ticket said...

https://theodysseynews.com/cheap-domestic-flight/
https://ubiz.chat/read-blog/46486

 

Post a Comment

<< Home