Special history- national context for african americans and the national park service, 1872-1965: the project, national in scope, is a three phased project requiring extensive research, analysis,…

The National Park Service (NPS) awarded a $175,000 Cooperative Agreement to the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) under the Cooperative Research and Training Programs - Resources of the National Park System (CFDA 15.945) program. The purpose of this 3-year project is to produce a comprehensive special history study documenting the African American experience and relationship to the National Park Service from 1872 to 1965. The study will aid the NPS in developing interpretive and educational programs to connect visitors with African American history and culture, and identify potential sites for nomination to the African American Civil Rights Network. The project's research, analysis, and writing will result in a multi-chapter report to support the NPS's efforts to promote understanding of the complex and diverse history of the agency and provide opportunities for diverse audiences to see themselves reflected in the National Park System.

Special history- national context for african americans and the national park service, 1872-1965: the project, national in scope, is a three phased project requiring extensive research, analysis, and writing to produce a multi-chaptered special history study that will document the experience of people of african descent as IT relates to the national park service from 1872 when the first national park unit was established until 1965 when landmark civil rights legislation was passed. The project will aid the NPS in developing interpretive and educational programs that connect visitors with the african american history and culture. IT is also anticipated that the study will identify sites for potential nomination to the african american civil rights network. The outcome will result in the larger public learning about african americans long history and engagement with national, providing them with important opportunities to better understand the complex and diverse history of the agency. IT will also allow diverse audiences to see themselves in the history of the agency not just as visitors or patrons of americas great idea but as being instrumental and important to its development.