African American history sites are plentiful in the Washington area

The Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial is attracting all the fanfare this week. But just outside the spotlight, in Washington and its surroundings, there are dozens of houses, museums and other sites that reflect the history of African Americans in this capital city and the country.

Some places boast a large historical footprint, such as the U.S. Supreme Court on Capitol Hill, where Thurgood Marshall argued 1954’s Brown v. Board of Education . The case ended in the landmark decision that declared segregated schools unconstitutional. Others offer more backstory to the story of race in America, such as the home of Carter G. Woodson, known as the “father of African American history.” Located at 1538 Ninth St. NW and recently acquired by the National Park Service, the house will eventually be restored and opened to the public.)

Gallery

The Man and the Movement: A photographic look at the life and work of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and others in the civil rights movement.

Graphic

Multimedia: Civil rights leaders, including John Lewis, Juanita Abernathy and Jesse Jackson, remember Martin Luther King Jr. and the March on Washington.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial

Full Coverage

Back when downtown Washington was for white people, entire black business areas thrived. The most famous was the U Street entertainment district in Northwest. Known as the Black Broadway, Cab Calloway, Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald performed there even after they had attracted nationwide attention. Today, U Street, site of the historic Lincoln Theatre and Bohemian Caverns jazz club, is at the heart of the city’s liveliest nightlife scene — and now open to all.

Listed below is a sampling of African American Washington. Admission is free unless noted. But there’s much more: In 2000, Cultural Tourism DC surveyed the city to create an inventory of more than 200 sites. CTDC’s constantly updated Web site offers detailed and an often surprising list of suggestions; visit www.culturaltourismdc.org.

African American Civil War

Memorial and Museum

Famous for: Challenging America’s traditional memory of African Americans during the Civil War as slaves awaiting rescue, the museum uses documents and photographs to tell the story of how African Americans fought to maintain the Union.

And there’s more: From 2- 4 p.m. on Sundays this summer, the museum hosts the Duke Ellington Sunday Jazz Series, featuring the HR-57 All Stars. In September, when the jazz series is over, a 10-week gospel series will begin.

Getting there: 1925 Vermont Ave. NW; 202-667-2667; afroamcivilwar.org. Open 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays, until 4 p.m. Saturdays, noon-4 p.m. Sundays.

Alain Locke Residence

Famous for: Locke was the first black Rhodes Scholar from the United States. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Harvard University and taught at Howard University for more than 40 years.

And there’s more: In 1925, Locke was the editor of “The New Negro,” an anthology of art, prose and poetry.

Getting there: The site, at 1326 R St. NW, is marked with a plaque; the home is privately owned and not open to the public.

Alexandria Black History Museum

Famous for: The museum is focused on preserving and celebrating local and regional African American history. There is also a reading room and nine-acre heritage park.

And there’s more: Through Dec. 31, you can see the exhibit “In Black and White: Photography by Nina Tisara and Peggy Fleming,” an exploration of the culture, worship and social lives of African Americans in Alexandria.