Taking the Kids Logo
January 23, 2015
Teaching history at the national monuments

 

 

 

Dear Family Travelers:

 

Don't you love teachable moments?

 

At schools all across the country, kids will be learning about the Civil Rights Movement as during Black History Month in February, as well as in theaters showing the much-heralded new film Selma.

 

Expand what the kids are learning in the classroom with a visit to a museum or a national monument in Washington, DC, where the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture is scheduled to open next year and where now you'll find an entire Civil War to Civil Rights itinerary that includes:

  • The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial features a statue of the Civil Rights Leader looking out over the Tidal basin and is engraved with quotes from many of his most famous speeches.
  • The Lincoln Memorial where Dr. King delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech and where African American Marion Anderson performed her famous 1939 concert after being denied the opportunity to perform at Constitution Hall.
  • Ford's Theater Center for Education and Leadership about Lincoln's life, death and legacy.
  • Madame Tussauds Washington DC where you can pose for selfies with King's statue as well as with Abraham Lincoln and Barack Obama.

There are plenty of opportunities around the country where you will find historic sites and special programs for kids and families. Here is just a sample:  

  • In Atlanta:The King Center for Non Violent Change and the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site where you can learn more about Dr. King, visit his Birth Home,  the  graves of Dr. and Mrs. Coretta Scott King and the Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church where he was a pastor, as were his father and grandfather.
  • In Boston: Follow  the Black Heritage Trails    in what once was the heart of Boston's 19th century African-American community, including the nation's first public building for educating African  American Children and the oldest standing black church building in the United States.
  • In Chicago: The DuSable  Museum of African American History, the first and oldest museum dedicated to African American history, culture and art.   
  • In Cincinnati, the National Underground Railroad  Freedom Center  that tells the story of the Underground Railroad and all those who helped escaped slaves find their way to freedom.
  • In  Memphis, the National Civil Rights Museum which traces the Civil Rights Movement in the United States from the 17th century.  It is built around the former Lorraine Motel where Dr. King was assassinated on April 4, 1968. 

Most important, let the kids lead the way! 

 

 

And from our partners at Family Travel Forum


   

 Find out what local and visiting kids have to say about nine great American travel destinations through our Kids' Guides Series from Globe Pequot Press. San Francisco and Denver just joined New York, Orlando, Washington DC, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston and San Diego.

   

Like us on FacebookFollow us on TwitterView our videos on YouTubeVisit our blog
        

 

 

Join Our Mailing List