Black History Trail, Washington D.C.

The Washington D.C. Black History NRT was originally created as an Eagle Scout project.

photo credit: Farragutful

Emory United Methodist Church; Brightwood neighborhood of Washington, D.C.

(photo credit: Farragutful)

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National Recreation Trail

Designated in 1987

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in the NRT Database

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The Washington, D.C. Black History NRT was originally created as an Eagle Scout project.

Back in 1978, Willard Andre Hutt proposed building a hiking trail - one that would function as an educational and recreational tool for all U.S. citizens - as an Eagle Scout project to honor black history.

On February 13, 1987, Secretary of the Interior Donald P. Hodel signed the Washington, D.C. Black History NRT into existence. Shortly thereafter, the National Park Service dedicated the Trail as part of the National Trails System.

The trail uses city streets and is maintained by the District of Columbia City Government and the National Park Service. The trail stretches from Southeast to Northwest going through every major neighborhood in the city. The trail is used as a tourist vehicle to get tourists of the Mall and in to the District of Columbia. It is the first trail to highlight the achievements of African-Americans to American history and is the only African-American theme trail recognized by the federal government.