Explore “African-American Voices, Memories and Places: A Four Rivers Heritage Trail”

This was a project that was executed when our name was “Four Rivers Heritage Area.” Anne Arundel County’s Office of Planning and Zoning and the Lost Towns Project developed a “virtual trail” exploring our area’s African American history and heritage in 2019. This resource is entitled, “African-American Voices, Memories and Places: A Four Rivers Heritage Trail.”

The online “trail” highlights nearly 200 historic sites about African American life within the geographic area of our original heritage area boundaries. The project was created by local and professional historians, genealogists, and citizens. Funding was provided in part through a grant from the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority. Website visitors to the virtual heritage trail will discover local history through videos, images, and maps, sources which reveal information about the lives of African Americans in the county. Unique historic sites, places and buildings serve to document the communities and special places significant to African American heritage (some still standing, and others now gone.) The sites highlighted in this virtual trail also touch on sometimes challenging histories, which can help us all better understand both our past and the present.

Please note that many of the trail sites are privately owned and not accessible for visitation. Thank you for respecting the privacy of these properties. Sites open to the public are clearly marked in the website.

Contact [email protected] if you know of sites, stories or resources that should be added in future versions of this tour, or if you have corrections to share. Many thanks, and enjoy this heritage trail!

Banner Image Sources:

-Lothian Rosenwald School story quilt. Dr. Joan M.E. Gaither was Project Manager with the assistance of Lyndra Marshall and Tammi Carroll Hall. The Lothian quilt was designed and handcrafted by Southern High School students and the Mt. Zion/Lothian Community.

-Sparrows Point Postcard circa 1950.

-Asbury Methodist Church, photo courtesy of Four Rivers Heritage Area

-Map Image from: African-American Voices, Memories and Places: A Four Rivers Heritage Trail