Carter G Woodson Home National Historic Site

"If I teach the negro that he has accomplished as much good as any other race he will aspire to equality and justice without regard to race." Excerpt from The Mis-Education of the Negro written by Carter G. Woodson in 1933.

Educating Blacks

The Carter G. Woodson home, built in the 1890s provides an authentic example of a popular architectural style: the "Victorian Row House" characteristic of Washington, DC’s Shaw community. Located on 1538 9th Street, NW, this red bricked 3,380 square foot structure became Woodson’s primary residence in Washington, DC in 1915 until his death in 1950.

This structure served as Woodson’s home where this great scholar researched, preserved rare collections of African American and African Diaspora History, and founded The Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, since renamed The Association for the Study of African-American Life and History (ASALH).

African American History

During much of Dr. Woodson’s life, there was both very little information and a lack of knowledge concerning African American life and history. Through his extensive studies, Woodson almost single-handedly established African American history.

Dr. Woodson’s research continues to educate and inspire the American public about the contributions of African Americans to this great nation which in turn has impacted the world.

Today, ASALH continues Woodson’s tradition of disseminating information about black life, history, and culture to the global community.

Woodson’s legacy is perpetuated in the partnership between the National Park Service and ASALH for this and future generations.

Woodson Time Line and Founding of Black History Month

1875 – Carter Goodwin Woodson is born in New Canton, Virginia on December 19, 1875

1897 – Woodson receives his Bachelor’s degree from Berea College in Kentucky

1912 – Woodson earns his Ph.D. from Harvard University in Cambridge, MA

1915 – Dr. Woodson, known as "The Father of Black History," founds the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (changed in 1972 to the Association for the Study of African American Life and History or ASALH).

1918 – Dr. Woodson writes A Century of Negro Migration

1918-1919 – Dr. Woodson is Principal of Armstrong Manual Training School, Washington, DC

1919-1920 – Dr. Woodson is a Professor of History at Howard University

1922 – Dr. Woodson retires from teaching to give all of his attention to ASALH

1926 – Dr. Woodson and ASALH establish Negro History Week – celebrated in February between the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and President Lincoln. It is now celebrated as Black History Month.

1926 – Dr. Woodson receives the Springarn Medal

1933 – Dr. Woodson completes and publishes The Mid-Education of the Negro

1937 – The Negro History Bulletin begins publication

1941 – West Virginia State College awards Dr. Woodson an honorary Doctor of Laws

1050 – Dr. Woodson dies and is buries in Lincoln Memorial Cemetery in Suitland, MD

1976 – The Woodson Home is designated a National Historic Landmark

2003 – Public Law 108-192 establishes Carter G. Woodson’s Home as a National Historic Site and authorizes the National Park Service to acquire it. The legislation is introduced by Congresswoman Eleanor Homes Norton

2005 – The National Park Service acquires the home from the Association for the Study of African American Life and History

2006 – The Carter G. Woodson Home NHS becomes the 389th unit of the National Park Service system