Black History

Michigan history includes a rich African American heritage. Check out the following links from the Michigan Historical Center to explore black history before, during and after Black History Month.

From the Michigan Freedom Trail Commission:

• The MFTC preserves and interprets the history of the Underground Railroad in Michigan at www.michigan.gov/freedomtrail.
   
• The Michigan Freedom Trail Commission also presents Building Collective Narratives: Teaching Michigan Stories, a series of lesson plans for elementary and middle school teachers.

From the Michigan Historical Museum:

• The 1960s online exhibits
   
• Enterprising Images: The Goodridge Brothers, African American Photographers
   
• The Underground Railroad
   
• Child of the Underground Railroad
   
• Fannie Richards and the Integration of the Detroit Public Schools
   
• Michigan's Fair Housing Act of 1968
   
• Michigan's African American Quilters 

From back issues of the former Michigan History Magazine:

• A Never-Ending Sojourn [PDF]
   
• Phooie on Louie: African American Detroit and the Election of Jerry Cavanagh [PDF]
   
• Sweet Justice [PDF]

From the former classroom supplement The Mitten:

• Sojourner Truth [PDF]
• The Underground Railroad [PDF]

From the former Michigan Time Traveler

• The Blackburns' Escape [PDF]
• Teachers' guide [PDF]
   
• Idlewild Memories [PDF]
• Teachers' guide [PDF]

From the Archives of Michigan:

• Follow this link for a glimpse into the archives black history resources.

Contact the Michigan Historical Center.

Updated 08/23/2010