The red brick row house at 1538 9th Street NW served as both Dr. Carter G. Woodson's residence and the headquarters for the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, where he established Negro History Week in 1926 — what we now celebrate as Black History Month. Families explore the meticulously restored three-story home where Dr. Woodson lived from 1915 until his death in 1950, seeing his personal study, library, and the rooms where he wrote groundbreaking books that challenged prevailing narratives about African American history. Unlike larger monuments, this intimate setting allows kids to walk through actual living spaces where one man's dedication to preserving Black history changed American education forever. The site represents one of the newest additions to the National Park Service, acquired in 2005 and opened to the public in 2017 after careful restoration.
Junior Ranger Program at Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site
The Junior Ranger program at Carter G. Woodson Home engages young historians through interactive activities that explore Dr. Woodson's life and contributions to education and historical preservation. Kids complete age-appropriate booklets featuring puzzles, drawing activities, and questions about African American history while touring the historic home where Dr. Woodson lived and worked.
- Explore the actual home where Dr. Woodson lived and wrote many of his influential works
- Learn about Black History Month and why Dr. Woodson created this important celebration
- Complete hands-on activities about being a historian and preserving family stories
Program Details
Best Ages for Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site
Ages 4–8
Young kids connect with the story of Dr. Woodson through simple activities about his childhood and the importance of learning about history. The intimate size of the home keeps little ones engaged, and the colorful exhibits help explain why learning about all people's stories matters.
Ages 9–12
This age group truly grasps the significance of Dr. Woodson's work and can understand how one person's dedication changed how we learn about history. They enjoy exploring the study where he wrote his books and learning about the challenges he faced in getting African American history included in schools.
Ages 13+
Teens and adults appreciate the deeper connections between Dr. Woodson's work and contemporary discussions about representation in education and media. The program challenges older participants to think critically about whose stories get told and why Dr. Woodson's contributions remain relevant today.
Planning Your Visit
Getting There
Located on 9th Street NW near the Shaw-Howard University Metro station, street parking can be extremely challenging in this dense urban neighborhood. We recommend arriving early in the morning or using Metro public transportation, as the area has strict parking restrictions and limited spaces.
Van & RV Notes
Large RVs and vans absolutely cannot navigate or park in this dense DC neighborhood — street parking is limited to standard car-sized spaces with many restrictions. Families with larger rigs should plan to park outside the city and use public transportation or stay at campgrounds in surrounding Virginia or Maryland.
Best Time to Visit
Spring through fall offers the most comfortable weather for this urban visit, though the indoor focus makes it suitable year-round once reopened. Weekday mornings typically see fewer crowds, and the neighborhood is most vibrant during pleasant weather when you can easily explore nearby Shaw and U Street areas.
How Long to Spend
Plan 1-2 hours for the complete experience, including the guided tour and Junior Ranger activities — this intimate site works well as part of a longer DC historic sites tour rather than a full day destination.
Don't Miss
The restored study where Dr. Woodson wrote his groundbreaking books provides an incredibly personal connection to his work that kids find more meaningful than typical museum exhibits. The neighborhood itself tells an important story about African American life in Washington DC, making a walk around the Shaw area truly valuable for understanding the broader context.
Fun Facts for Kids
Dr. Carter G. Woodson was the second African American to earn a PhD from Harvard University and the first to focus his doctoral research on African American history
Negro History Week was originally scheduled for the second week of February to honor the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass
Dr. Woodson never married and dedicated his entire adult life to researching and preserving African American history, often funding his work from his own pocket
The Association for the Study of African American Life and History, founded in Dr. Woodson's home, still operates today and continues to promote the study of Black history
Plan Your Stay
Save on park entry with the America the Beautiful Pass — $80 for unlimited access to all 400+ National Park sites for a full year.
Where to Stay
Some of the links above are affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
See all Junior Ranger badges
Track your family's progress across every National Park Service site
View Badge Tracker