THE WESTERN REGION

After the Civil War many African Americans were a part of the “Western Expansion”, finding their way to the developing states of Wyoming, Colorado, California and others. There they established a new way of life, unlike the farming and sharecropping lifestyle of the South or the Industrial structure of the North and Midwest. They worked as miners, ranch hands, and helped to construct America’s railroads. They built schools, housing and had thriving communities such as in Greenwood, Oklahoma. The influence of African Americans in the West is strongly represented in the arts, music sports and military service.

Reference Image Destinations:
Alaska-Alaskan native heritage center / Arizona-Tanner Chapel AME church / California-California African American museum /Colorado-Blair Caldwell African American Research library / Hawaii-Barak Obama Mural Honolulu / Idaho-Idaho Black History museum / New Mexico-Blackdom Townsite / Montana-Union Bethel AME Church / Nevada-Walker African AMerican museum / Oklahoma-Greenwood Rising Center / Oregon-Lonnie B. Harris Cultural Center OSU Cultural District / Utah-James Beckwourth monument / Texas- AA Museum Dallas / Washington- NW AA Museum Seattle / Wyoming- Wyoming State Museum