This February, Explore Our Nation's History and Public Lands

There are numerous opportunities to celebrate, and reflect on, America's history during the month of February. In addition to the entire month being recognized as Black History Month, President's Day also falls on Monday, February 20th.

If you are interested in learning more about African American contributions to our nation's heritage or inspiring a young person to become a future President of the United States, consider visiting a federal, state or local historical site.

Black History Month Opportunities:

• At George Washington Carver National Monument in Diamond Grove, Missouri, you can visit the birthplace of one of America's most noted and influential scientists and educators.
• Visit Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park to view the historic structures from Allensworth, California. Allensworth was the first town managed solely by African Americans
• Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site in Alabama is where the first African American military pilots were trained during World War II.
• African Burial Ground National Monument was discovered during a 1991 excavation in lower Manhattan, N.Y. The National Monument is the location of cemetary used by both free and enslaved Africans between 1690 and 1794.
• One of the latest additions to the National Park System is the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. Located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the memorial honors the work and legacy of Dr. King.
• The National Park Service has a webpage focused on African American heritage at National Parks. See the full list of sites to visit.

President's Day Opportunities:

• On an island in the Potomac River between Washington, D.C. and Virginia, lies the Theodore Roosevelt Island National Memorial. The memorial celebrates our 26th President's dedication to public lands and conservation. 
• A visit to Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial in Lincoln City, Indiana will introduce families to the early life of our 16th President. This year also marks the 50th annyversary of the memorial.
• Roosevelt's Little White House State Historic Site was built by Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1932 before he became our 32nd President. He initially came to Warm Spring, Georgia in search of a cure for polio, which he had been suffering from since 1921.
• A trip to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is a history lesson in itself. Visit Independence National Historical Park to view the President's House and the Declaration House where Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence.
• The National Park Service has a webpage focused on Presidential National Parks. See the full list of sites to visit.