WASHINGTON, D.C.? American history is one of diversity; this nation was built upon a foundation of diversity with valuable contributions from many cultures. As Americans we are proud of our diverse cultural heritage and proud of the many Americans, celebrated and not, who played an important part in building our country. Many of the people and events associated with developing this nation are today commemorated in areas managed by the National Park Service.

"I invite everyone to visit our many national parks that preserve and commemorate the struggles and achievements of African Americans," said Fran Mainella, Director of the National Park Service. "As we approach Black History Month, what better way to learn about the exceptional places preserved in the National Park System that honor the heritage of African Americans, than by visiting a national park."

The National Park Service has the privilege of preserving many areas that commemorate African American heritage. That heritage is celebrated in areas as diverse as Booker T. Washington National Monument in Virginia, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park in West Virginia, Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site in the District of Columbia, and Nicodemus National Historical Site in Kansas.

The National Park Service has developed a web site to help plan visits to NPS sites that preserve African American Heritage. Visit our Celebrate African American Heritage in America's National Parks website at: http://www.nps.gov/pub_aff/african_am/celebrate.htm to learn more about African American Heritage, past, present, and future, this month and all year.