Race, History, and Rock Creek
The history of our national parks—and Rock Creek Park in particular, as it sits in our nation’s capital—encompasses people of all races and walks of life. Rock Creek Park (the National Park Service) and Rock Creek Conservancy have partnered to tell the stories at the intersection of race, history, and Rock Creek, covering a wide variety of topics, people, and historical events in Northern DC.
In this extraordinary and important political moment demanding more accountability and transparency around racial equity, Rock Creek Park, the Conservancy, and other park partners want to more fully interpret the history of all people as related to our parks. This ongoing series of programs will take place virtually for the foreseeable future, in accordance with public health guidelines.
Segregation and Rock Creek Park September 22, 2022
Civil Rights in Meridian Hill / Malcolm X Park | OCtober 19, 2022
Past Events
Mobilizing Memories at Meridian Hill Park | October 9, 2024
The William Beckett Project May 1, 2024
Invasive Rhetoric March 22, 2024
Civil War, Reconstruction, and the Rock Creek Park Reality November 16, 2023
The Story of Rock Creek JANUARY 24, 2024
History of Jazz at the Carter Barron | October 25, 2023
History of Reno City April 26, 2023
Lincoln-Thomas Day 100th Anniversary | September 12, 2024
Rock Creek Pride June 28, 2023
The History and Future of the Carter Barron Amphitheater November 30, 2022
Nature as Healing February 28, 2023
Women Who've Made a Difference in Rock Creek | March 23, 2023
Diversity in environmental sectors | May 3, 2022
black cemeteries April 21, 2022
Lou Stovall, Arts, and Activism March 22, 2022
Lynchings and Biophobia FeburARY 24, 2022
History of Meridian Hill/Malcolm X Park | Jan 11, 2022
U.S Colored Troops & Civil War Defenses of Washington | Nov 9, 2021
Women in Park
Leadership | July 27, 2021
Summer in the Parks: A Legacy of Parks and People | June 23, 2021
The Life and Times of Hattie Sewell | May 26, 2021
the History of MElvin Hazen March 4, 2021
Chocolate City
Author Talk | August 6, 2020
Additional learning resources
The events in this series are an important starting point to better understand our local history and how it has affected equity and access in Rock Creek Park and northern Washington, DC more broadly. These discussions will leave participants with some answers, but also likely many more questions worth exploring.
We encourage participants to use these resources to continue thinking and talking about racial equity and how it impacts all of us, and what we can do—individually and as a community—to combat racial injustice.
Continuing conversations about race and racial justice:
National Museum of African American History and Culture: Talking About Race
AARP: How to Have a Respectful Conversation About Racial Justice
Reflective questions for personal growth on race:
Where do you see inequities in your community?
How does equity differ from equality?
Why is inclusion important?
What are some ways that we as a community can advance equity and justice for people of color and other marginalized groups?
What are some ways you as an individual can advance equity in your daily activities, work, and otherwise?