Historic Park Memorializes Black American History

By Kate | January 16, 2017

This is a repost about Black American History and the Alexandria African American Heritage Park. Reposting in memory of Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday. It is an honor to write about Black history. For sure, without Black America’s contributions, contraband, refugees, and Free slaves, we wouldn’t be the great country we are. Perhaps, today, we wouldn’t be the USA without them!

Therefore, on your journey, find the hidden gems in Alexandria and beyond. I went to find the National Cemetery of Alexandria, Virginia. But next to the cemetery, I found The Alexandria African American Heritage Park.

Consider my surprise to find this jewel. What excites me about my discovery is that I found something very special that celebrates black history. The African American Park and the African American Community Memorial Arch are unique. The Park is unique because it marks the historic black villages built around Alexandria’s railroad station. Areas around the railway station were the neighborhoods of colonial free Black people and slaves. They were slaves who settled here after slavery. This section of Alexandria was the poorest area.

The Park is unique because it marks the historic black villages built around Alexandria’s railroad station. Areas around the railway station were the neighborhoods of colonial African-Americans.They were slaves who settled here after slavery. This section of Alexandria was the poorest area.

The memorial arch reminds me to celebrate the African American Communities of Alexandria who built Alexandria.

African American Heritage Park

On this steamy hot day in Alexandria, I was virtually alone in the park. The only exception was a woman walking her dog. I stepped onto an old bridge. The day was warmer than usual. The dark lanes are peacefully inviting. So, I took a break to rest on the bench. After relaxing for a while, I listened to the sounds in the park and a swampy area. The African American Park is awesome. The park is built for meditation, remembering, reading, and thinking. It is so quiet. Peaceful, in the middle of a city, it is precious.

The National Cemetery of Alexandria

From the park, I saw the National Cemetery of Alexandria. The National Cemetery of Alexandria and the African American Park are six blocks West of U.S Hwy 1 at the end of Wilkes Street in the City of Alexandria, VA. Look for the signs to the park. There is a sign at the intersection of Washington Street, part of the George Washington Memorial Parkway, and Gibbon Streets. A note of some interest is that the Director of Quantico National Cemetery manages the small Civil War cemetery.

The Director of Quantico National Cemetery manages the small Civil War cemetery.

My Walk – Alexandria African American Heritage Park

I found this gem. On one of my last days, I was on my way to Whole Foods. I discovered the African American Park. My accidental discovery was an arch sparkling in the sun. The bronze arch caught my eye. I thought it was huge. The only way I spotted it was that the sun was at noon; it glistened.

Bronze Arch

Surprisingly, the bronze arch is not generally noticeable. Additionally. it’s not reachable from the street. So, I walked down the path to find the glistening bronze object. At first, I couldn’t tell how far away it was from the road. I was thinking of changing my plans. Therefore, I ventured down the trail. My first impression was ‘wow, how can any place be so green?  Everything, – I mean everything was bright green. The bridge, grass, and water all were bright Seahawk green.

Everything, I mean everything, was bright green. The bridge, grass, and water all were bright Seahawk green.

Marsh or Swamp

Next, I spied a marsh or swamp. I don’t know what to call it because, depending on where you are from, it might be called either a marsh or a swamp. Surprisingly, I heard crickets or some bug. Next, I stopped at a wetland to try to find the source of the noise.

After a while, my walk continued along the path hunting for the bronze arch. When I reached the arch, I realized it was very small. I found that the marker is historically significant. However, this is a pretty small monument for what it is memorializing. The statue memorializes the six Black communities of Alexandria. What an incredible discovery.

Making a Discovery

Making an unexpected discovery like this is one of my favorite parts of traveling.

This finding is unique because I knew nothing about African-American slaves. I never knew they were called refugees. And think, these refugees got free health care for seven years, as did the poor white and military. We didn’t even have a Veterans Administration at this time. But we did offer US health care. Shortly after the Civil War, universal health insurance started. But no sooner than health care began, it was over. Finally, and unfortunately, it lasted only seven years.

Pay Respect

When and if you are in Alexandria, please consider paying your respects to this community. Slaves, free black people, and Civil War refugees built Alexandria. The Black community they made strong is the first community that was all theirs. It’s a very simple park, easy to find, and a quiet place to remember those who came before us.

More to See

This park, dedicated to the Slaves and Free Black people of Virginia, is a lovely spot for a picnic in Alexandria. The park is a place to read. The park is perfect for walking, solo women travelers, and travelers 50 plus at any stage of their life who want to find a peaceful place.

The neighborhood is close to the Masonic Temple site. If you have the time, consider heading to the Masonic Temple. Read more about Alexandria at Mercy Street Alexandria Virginia – Best Free Walking Tour

Consider taking this tour too. Mercy Street Alexandria Virginia – Best Free Walking Tour

Grab some time when you come here. I believe these people earned our respect. You might even feel some of the souls from the past. Here is something interesting to note about slaves. Free Slaves and slaves who escaped slavery were called Contraband. Difficult to believe people can be called contraband. Guns and weapons are contraband. People aren’t contraband. Now we have refugees. I hope we look back. Maybe we will see how refugees helped us grow. In conclusion, it feels strange how much history repeats itself

Wrap Up

In conclusion, it feels weird how much history repeats itself. It seems that refugees are people displaced by war and civil unrest. We don’t have the right term to call people who are asking for help. I think the problem is we dont have a word that reflects the need of these people and what they have been through; maybe someday we will learn from our past.

Please show your respect to the community that built Alexandria. Perhaps, you will get more out of it than you can imagine. Simplicity, ultimate and unique, makes #simpletravel, #ultimatetravel. I hope you will celebrate with me regardless of whether you are a citizen, refugee, man or woman, person of color or white; this is a place for all of us.

Please share your thoughts.

Let me know if these little finds mean a lot to you.