The Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site is temporarily closed due to a full renovation project. We hope to reopen to the public in 2026. Please continue to visit the website for future updates.

Carter G. Woodson Home NHS temporarily closed.

Before Dr. Carter G. Woodson, there was very little accurate written history about the lives and experiences of Americans of African descent. Today a National Historic Site, Dr. Woodson’s home served as the headquarters for the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. Dr. Woodson established Negro History Week here in 1926, which we celebrate today as Black History Month.

The restored facades of three historic Victorian row-homes on an urban street in Washington, DC

Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site

The backs of the three restored homes that make up the Woodson Home NHS with accessibility

Handicapped Accessibility at the back of the Carter G. Woodson Home NHS

The second level in a historic home with wooden floorboards, steps, railings, light fixtures, window

Hallway and staircases on second level

Old-fashioned type writers sits on top of a desk with other office supplies

Typewriter

Carter G. Woodson Home exterior

Carter G. Woodson Home

Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site is temporarily closed for construction.

Hands-On

Participants complete a series of activities during a park visit, share their answers with a park ranger, and receive an official Junior Ranger patch and Junior Ranger certificate. 

This program is especially great for kids ages 7 to 13, but younger and older explorers are welcome too!

Two Junior Rangers display their Junior Ranger badge collections at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens

Junior Rangers at Kenilworth

<p>The Junior Ranger program is a great way for kids (and kids at heart!) to learn more about our parks while exploring and having fun.</p> <p>Once a child has completed a certain number of activities through our Junior Ranger book, they are awarded with an official Junior Ranger badge and certificate.</p> <p><a href="https://www.nps.gov/nace/index.htm">National Capital Parks - East</a> does not currently offer a unified Junior Ranger Program. However, many individual parks and sites within NACE do offer their own Junior Ranger programs. Visit each site's website to learn more and start your Junior Ranger journey!</p> <h4>Anacostia Park</h4> <p>Anacostia Park does not currently offer a Junior Ranger Program.</p> <h4>Baltimore-Washington Parkway</h4> <p>Baltimore–Washington Parkway does not currently offer a Junior Ranger Program.</p> <h4>Capitol Hill Parks</h4> <p>Capitol Hill Parks does not currently offer a Junior Ranger Program.</p> <h4>Carter G. Woodson Home NHS</h4> <p>Carter G. Woodson Home NHS is temporarily closed for renovations, but you can still become a Junior Ranger! To become a Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site Junior Ranger, <a href="https://cms.nps.gov/cawo/learn/kidsyouth/upload/CAWO-Jr-Ranger-Book_508.pdf">download the Junior Ranger booklet</a>. Once completed, <a href="https://cms.nps.gov/cawo/contacts.htm">mail in or email your booklet</a>. We will sign and send your official Junior Ranger Certificate and Junior Ranger badge.</p> <h4>Civil War Defenses of Washington</h4> <p>The Civil War Defenses of Washington (CWDW) sites are managed by three different national parks. Sites overseen by National Capital Parks – East do not offer Junior Ranger programs. For information on Junior Ranger opportunities at other CWDW sites <a href="https://www.nps.gov/cwdw/contacts.htm">contact us.</a></p> <h4>Fort Dupont Park</h4> <p>Fort Dupont Park does not currently offer a Junior Ranger Program.</p> <h4>Fort Foote Park</h4> <p>Fort Foote Park does not currently offer a Junior Ranger Program.</p> <h4>Fort Washington Park</h4> <p>Become a <a href="https://www.nps.gov/fowa/learn/kidsyouth/index.htm">Fort Washington Park Junior Ranger</a> by completing a booklet, available at The Visitor Center at Fort Washington Park. Can’t make it in person or want to start your booklet before your visit? <a href="https://www.nps.gov/fowa/contacts.htm">Contact us</a> to request a copy by mail.</p> <h4>Frederick Douglass NHS</h4> <p>Become a <a href="https://www.nps.gov/frdo/learn/kidsyouth/index.htm">Frederick Douglass National Historic Site Junior Ranger</a> at The Visitor Center at Frederick Douglass NHS. Can’t make it in person or want to start your booklet before your visit? <a href="https://www.nps.gov/frdo/contacts.htm">Contact us</a> to request a copy by mail.</p> <h4>Greenbelt Park</h4> Become a <a href="https://www.nps.gov/gree/planyourvisit/justforkids.htm">Greenbelt Park Junior Ranger</a> at The Ranger Station at Greenbelt Park. Can’t make it in person or want to start your booklet before your visit? <a href="https://www.nps.gov/gree/contacts.htm">Contact us</a> to request a copy by mail. <h4>Harmony Hall</h4> <p>Harmony Hall does not currently offer a Junior Ranger Program.</p> <h4>Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens</h4> <p>Become a <a href="https://www.nps.gov/keaq/learn/kidsyouth/index.htm">Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens Junior Ranger</a> at The Visitor Center at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. Can’t make it in person or want to start your booklet before your visit? <a href="https://www.nps.gov/keaq/contacts.htm">Contact us</a> to request a copy by mail.</p> <h4>Mary McLeod Bethune Council House NHS</h4> <p>Become a <a href="https://www.nps.gov/mamc/learn/kidsyouth/beajuniorranger.htm">Mary McLeod Bethune Council House NHS Junior Ranger</a> at the Mary McLeod Bethune Council House NHS. Can’t make it in person or want to start your booklet before your visit? <a href="https://www.nps.gov/mamc/contacts.htm">Contact us</a> to request a copy by mail.</p> <h4>National Capital Parks - East</h4> <p>National Capital Parks - East does not currently offer a Junior Ranger Program.</p> <h4>Oxon Cove Park & Oxon Hill Farm</h4> <p>Become an <a href="https://www.nps.gov/oxhi/learn/kidsyouth/beajuniorranger.htm">Oxon Cove Park & Oxon Hill Farm Junior Ranger</a> at The Visitor Center at Oxon Hill Farm. Can’t make it in person or want to start your booklet before your visit? <a href="https://www.nps.gov/oxhi/contacts.htm">Contact us</a> to request a copy by mail.</p> <h4>Piscataway Park</h4> <p>Piscataway Park does not currently offer a Junior Ranger Program.</p>

Before your trip, check what each site says about pets.

Become a Junior Ranger at parks across National Capital Parks – East! Explore, complete a booklet, and earn badges and certificates along the way!

Junior Ranger Programs at National Capital Parks - East

Monuments and Memorials

Two National Park Service interns show their passport stamp collection at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens

Interns show their stamp collections

<a href="https://www.nps.gov/nace/planyourvisit/maps.htm">Learn more</a> about where to get your passport stamped around National Capital Parks — East!

<p>Cancellation stamps for the <a href="https://americasnationalparks.org/passport-to-your-national-parks">Passport to Your National Parks®</a> program are available at various sites throughout <a href="https://www.nps.gov/nace/index.htm">National Capital Parks - East</a> (NACE). National Capital Parks - East does not have a visitor center, but you can collect Passport stamps for its parks and partner sites at the locations listed below.</p> <h4>Anacostia Park Stamp</h4> <p>Anacostia Park does not have a visitor center. The Anacostia Park stamp is only available at:<br /> <a href="https://www.nps.gov/keaq/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm">The Visitor Center at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens</a></p> <h4>Baltimore-Washington Parkway Stamp</h4> <p>Baltimore-Washington Parkway does not have a visitor center. The Baltimore-Washington Parkway stamp is only available at:<br /> <a href="https://www.nps.gov/gree/planyourvisit/ranger-station.htm">The Ranger Station at Greenbelt Park</a><br /> <a href="https://www.nps.gov/keaq/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm">The Visitor Center at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens</a></p> <h4>Capitol Hill Parks Stamp</h4> <p>Capitol Hill Parks does not have a visitor center. The Capitol Hill Parks stamp is only available at:<br /> <a href="https://www.nps.gov/mamc/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm">Mary McLeod Bethune Council House NHS</a><br /> <a href="https://www.nps.gov/frdo/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm">The Visitor Center at Frederick Douglass NHS</a> <br /> <a href="https://www.nps.gov/keaq/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm">The Visitor Center at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens</a></p> <h4>Carter G. Woodson Home NHS Stamp</h4> <p>Carter G. Woodson Home NHS is currently closed for renovations. The Carter G. Woodson Home NHS stamp is only available at:<br /> <a href="https://www.nps.gov/mamc/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm">Mary McLeod Bethune Council House NHS</a><br /> <a href="https://www.nps.gov/frdo/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm">The Visitor Center at Frederick Douglass NHS</a> </p> <h4>Civil War Defenses of Washington Stamp</h4> <p>The Civil War Defenses of Washington sites are managed by three different national parks. The sites managed by National Capital Parks - East do not have visitor centers, but the stamp is available at:<br /> <a href="https://www.nps.gov/keaq/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm">The Visitor Center at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens</a></p> <h4>Fort Dupont Park Stamp</h4> <p>Fort Dupont Park does not have a visitor center. The Fort Dupont Park stamp is only available at:<br /> <a href="https://www.nps.gov/keaq/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm">The Visitor Center at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens</a></p> <h4>Fort Foote Park Stamp</h4> <p>Fort Foote Park does not have a visitor center. The Fort Foote Park stamp is only available at:<br /> <a href="https://www.nps.gov/fowa/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm">The Visitor Center at Fort Washington Park</a></p> <h4>Fort Washington Park Stamp</h4> <p>You can collect the Fort Washington Park stamp at <a href="https://www.nps.gov/fowa/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm">The Visitor Center at Fort Washington Park</a>. This location also offers the following stamps from some of our partner sites:</p> <ul> <li>Fort Foote Park Stamp</li> <li>Harmony Hall Stamp</li> <li>Piscataway Park Stamp</li> <li>Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail – Fort Washington Stamp</li> <li>Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail – Piscataway Park Stamp</li> <li>Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail Stamp</li> </ul> <h4>Frederick Douglass NHS Stamp</h4> <p>You can collect the Frederick Douglass NHS stamp at <a href="https://www.nps.gov/frdo/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm">The Visitor Center at Frederick Douglass NHS</a>, as well as the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/mamc/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm">Mary McLeod Bethune Council House NHS</a>.<br /> <br /> At the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/frdo/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm">The Visitor Center at Frederick Douglass NHS</a>, this location also offers the following stamps. Some are special edition stamps from this site, and others are from our partner sites:</p> <ul> <li>Capitol Hill Parks Stamp</li> <li>Carter G. Woodson Home NHS Stamp</li> <li>Carter G. Woodson Home NHS 60th Anniversary 1964 Civil Rights Act Stamp</li> <li>Carter G. Woodson Home NHS National Park Traveler's Club 2021 Convention Stamp</li> <li>Frederick Douglass NHS Bicentennial (1818–2018) Stamp</li> <li>Frederick Douglass NHS Junior Ranger Stamp </li> <li>Mary McLeod Bethune Council House NHS Stamp</li> <li>National Capital Parks - East Stamp</li> <li>Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Stamp</li> </ul> <h4>Greenbelt Park Stamp</h4> <p>You can collect the Greenbelt Park stamp at <a href="https://www.nps.gov/gree/planyourvisit/ranger-station.htm">The Ranger Station at Greenbelt Park</a>. This location also offers the following stamps from some of our partner sites:</p> <ul> <li>Baltimore-Washington Parkway Stamp</li> </ul> <h4>Harmony Hall Stamp</h4> <p>Harmony Hall does not have a visitor center. The Harmony Hall stamp is only available at:<br /> <a href="https://www.nps.gov/fowa/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm">The Visitor Center at Fort Washington Park</a></p> <h4>Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens Stamp</h4> <p>You can collect the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens stamp at <a href="https://www.nps.gov/keaq/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm">The Visitor Center at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens</a>. This location also offers the following stamps; some are special edition stamps from this site, and others are from our partner sites:</p> <ul> <li>Anacostia Park Stamp</li> <li>Anacostia Park Centennial (1918–2018) Stamp</li> <li>Baltimore-Washington Parkway Stamp</li> <li>Capitol Hill Parks Stamp</li> <li>Civil War Defenses of Washington Stamp</li> <li>Fort Dupont Park Stamp</li> <li>Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens Stamp</li> <li>Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens Lotus & Lily Festival Stamp</li> <li>National Capital Parks - East Stamp</li> <li>Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail Stamp</li> </ul> <h4>Mary McLeod Bethune Council House NHS Stamp</h4> <p>You can collect the Mary McLeod Bethune Council House NHS stamp at the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/mamc/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm">Mary McLeod Bethune Council House NHS</a>, as well as <a href="https://www.nps.gov/frdo/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm">The Visitor Center at Frederick Douglass NHS</a>.<br /> <br /> At the Mary McLeod Bethune Council House NHS, this location also offers the following stamps. Some are special edition stamps from this site, and others are from our partner sites:</p> <ul> <li>Capitol Hill Parks Stamp</li> <li>Carter G. Woodson Home NHS Stamp</li> <li>Carter G. Woodson Home NHS Junior Ranger Stamp</li> <li>Frederick Douglass NHS Stamp</li> <li>Mary McLeod Bethune Council House NHS 60th Anniversary 1964 Civil Rights Act Stamp</li> <li>Mary McLeod Bethune Council House NHS Junior Ranger Stamp</li> <li>Mary McLeod Bethune Council House NHS National Park Traveler's Club 2021 Convention Stamp</li> <li>Mary McLeod Bethune Suffrage Centennial Stamp</li> </ul> <h4>National Capital Parks - East Stamp</h4> <p>National Capital Parks - East does not have a visitor center. The National Capital Parks - East stamp is only available at:<br /> <a href="https://www.nps.gov/frdo/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm">The Visitor Center at Frederick Douglass NHS</a> <br /> <a href="https://www.nps.gov/keaq/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm">The Visitor Center at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens</a></p> <h4>Oxon Cove Park & Oxon Hill Farm Stamp</h4> <p>You can collect the Oxon Cove Park & Oxon Hill Farm stamp at <a href="https://www.nps.gov/oxhi/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm">The Visitor Center at Oxon Hill Farm</a>. This location also offers the following stamps; some are special edition stamps from this site, and others are from our partner sites:</p> <ul> <li>Captain John Smith Chesapeake NHT Stamp</li> <li>National Capital Parks - East Stamp</li> <li>Oxon Cove Park and its Centennial (1916-2016) Stamp</li> <li>Oxon Hill Farm Junior Ranger Stamp</li> <li>Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail Stamp</li> <li>Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Stamp</li> </ul> <h4>Piscataway Park Stamp</h4> <p>You can collect the Piscataway Park stamp at <a href="https://www.nps.gov/pisc/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm">The Visitor Center at National Colonial Farm</a>. The stamp can also be found at:<br /> <a href="https://www.nps.gov/fowa/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm">The Visitor Center at Fort Washington Park</a></p>

Start your stamp collection and celebrate every park you visit! Explore historic sites and scenic parks managed by National Capital Parks - East and collect a unique stamp at each one.

Collect all the National Capital Parks - East Passport Stamps

Guided Tours

<p>Ranger-led tours of the home are only offered on the days the site is open to the public on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Tours are given every hour with the exception of 12 noon. Drop-ins are welcome. Groups of more than 10 people are strongly encouraged to make a reservation before-hand. Reservations can be made online through recreation.gov, or by calling (202) 426-5961, or emailing woodsonnhs@nps.gov.<br /> <br /> The National Park Service also offers walking tours of Dr. Woodson's neighborhood within the historic Shaw community. </p>

Carter G. Woodson Home NHS

<p><span>1538 Ninth Street, N.W.<br /> Washington</span><span>, </span><span>D.C.</span><span> </span><span>20001 </span></p>

Visitors can take a ranger-led tour of the Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site, which was Dr. Carter G. Woodson's office-home from 1922 until his death in 1950. Known as the "Birthplace of Black History Month", this home is where Woodson also inaugurated Negro History Week in 1926 (celebrated today as Black History Month), established a headquarters for both the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, Inc. and his publishing company the Associated Publishers, Inc. from 1922 to 1971. Tours are only offered when the site is open to the public on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

<p><span>Service animals are </span><a href="http://www.ada.gov/"><span>allowed in national parks. For a definition of a service animal</span></a><span>, please see the </span><a href="http://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm"><span>Americans with Disability Act (ADA) definition</span></a><span>.</span></p>

Ranger-led tours of the home are only offered on the days the site is open to the public on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Tours are given every hour with the exception of 12 noon. Drop-ins are welcome. Groups of more than 10 people are strongly encouraged to make a reservation before-hand. Reservations can be made online through recreation.gov, or by calling (202) 426-5961, or emailing woodsonnhs@nps.gov.

The Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site is one of the newest units of the National Park Service. Acquired in 2005, the historic home was restored and opened to the public in 2017, and the restoration of the remaining structures is expected to be complete in 2022.

<p>The home is only open on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm</p>

Peer Into the Past at the Carter G. Woodson Home

African American Heritage

Architecture and Building

Great Depression

Migrations

Military

Reconstruction

Religion and Spirituality

Schools and Education

Social Movements

Civil Rights

Voting Rights and Suffrage

Urban America

Wars and Conflicts

American Revolutionary War

Civil War

World War I

World War II

Bookstore and Park Store

The only time vIsitors can physically peruse and purchase merchandise at the bookstore of the Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site is when the site is open to the public on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Items related to the Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site can also be purchased online at <a href="https://shop.americasnationalparks.org/store/">America's National Parks' website</a>. 

Woodson Home Bookstore

The bookstore for the Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site is located in the temporary Visitor Center located next door to the historic home. The historic home is numbered 1538 and the temporary Visitor Center is numbered 1540. The site is only open on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Operated by America's National Parks, the bookstore sells unique educational products and books related to Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), and African American History.

Visitors can visit the site bookstore to purchase merchandise at the Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site's Visitor Center.

The only time to physically access the bookstore at the Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site is when the site is open to the public on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Items related to the Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site can also be purchased online at <a href="https://shop.americasnationalparks.org/store/">America's National Parks' website</a>. 

Carter G. Woodson Home NHS Bookstore

Self-Guided Tours - Walking

A walk through the neighborhood to see other historic homes, places, and memorials. Along the way, you may want to stop for lunch as well.

All ages, but minors must be with an adult parent or guardian

Carter G. Woodson Memorial Park

After you visit the Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site located at 1538 Ninth Street, N.W., visit these other places in the nearby Shaw and Logan Circle neighborhoods to learn more history.

Explore nearby historical sites and parks in the Washington, D.C. area related to the life and legacy of Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), and African American History.<br /> <br /> Search <a href="https://www.nps.gov/tripideas/civil-rights-in-washington-dc.htm">Civil Rights Trip Ideas</a><br />   <p><a href="https://www.nps.gov/cawo/index.htm">•</a><a href="https://www.nps.gov/mamc/index.htm">Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site </a></p> <p><a href="https://www.nps.gov/cahi/index.htm">•Capitol Hill Parks</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.nps.gov/frdo/index.htm">•Frederick Douglass National Historic Site</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.nps.gov/nama/index.htm">•National Mall and Memorial Parks</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.afroamcivilwar.org/">•African American Civil War Memorial and Museum</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.nps.gov/cahi/index.htm">•</a><a href="http://www.pwywca.org/">Phyllis Wheatley YWCA</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.nps.gov/keaq/index.htm">•</a><a href="https://home.howard.edu/">Howard University</a><br /> <a href="http://www.afroamcivilwar.org/">•</a><a href="https://www.culturaltourismdc.org/portal/827">Shaw Heritage Trail</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.nps.gov/cahi/index.htm">•</a><a href="https://shilohbaptist.org/">Shiloh Baptist Church</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.nps.gov/frdo/index.htm">•</a><a href="https://dgs.dc.gov/page/dgs-carter-g-woodson-memorial-park-project">Carter G. Woodson Memorial Park</a></p>

After you visit the Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site, check out these nearby places.

Alert: Carter G. Woodson Home NHS temporarily closed.: The Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site is temporarily closed due to a full renovation project. We hope to reopen to the public in 2026. Please continue to visit the website for future updates.

Carter G. Woodson Home

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Junior Ranger Programs at National Capital Parks - East

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Collect all the National Capital Parks - East Passport Stamps

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Peer Into the Past at the Carter G. Woodson Home

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Carter G. Woodson Home NHS Bookstore

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Places of Interest Related to Carter G. Woodson

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