February 2021 Black History Month

What are trailwide messages?

Trailwide messages help our entire Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail community nationwide—museums, visitor centers, parks, partners, and programs—share the same messages throughout the year amplifying our voice. Everyone is welcome to participate and join the celebrations, commemorations, and discussions. These pages are updated throughout the year, so remember to check back for more guidance, ideas, and resources!

 

During Black History Month, we will reflect on more than 400 years of Black history and heritage in parks and communities across the country. What can national parks, programs, and partners contribute to conversations about Black representation, identity, and diversity?

As the nation celebrates the achievements, contributions, and historical journeys of Black or African Americans, we can highlight the more than 400 years of African American history and continuing cultural heritage shared within our parks and in communities through the work of our programs and partners. The national 2021 theme for Black History Month is “The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity” exploring how Black families have been and continue to be thought of and represented in American culture. The theme is set each year by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), an NPS partner.

• Use the month to spotlight the African American member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, York.
• Showcase objects or artifacts in your museum collection important to the African American experience.
• Share trip ideas that visitors can use to learn about African American history within parks or communities.

Featured NPS.gov/lecl Webpages

York This page features several articles on York. Each of these would be a great feature to share on your social media channels.

 

Social Media hashtags:
#LewisandClarkTrail #BlackHistoryMonth #FindYourPark

Ready-Made Posts

Sample posts:
York, the enslaved body servant of William Clark, is a remarkable yet mysterious part of the Expedition. Little is actually known about him, and what we do know is primarily revealed through the journals or correspondence by Clark. #LewisandClarkTrailRead more: https://www.nps.gov/articles/york-s-early-life.htm

In 1784, an enslaved boy was assigned to be 14-year-old William Clark’s personal “body servant.” Like many enslaved persons, the boy didn’t have a legal right to a last name, so he was known just as York. #LewisandClarkTrailLearn more: https://www.nps.gov/articles/york-as-clark-s-body-servant.htm

York, the enslaved body servant to William Clark, is noted several times in the journal writings as being a concerned caregiver. He not only nursed Charles Floyd prior to the sergeant’s untimely death in August 1804, he is also documented as helping his master in June 1804. #LewisandClarkTrailMore: https://www.nps.gov/articles/york-cares-for-clark.htm

Despite his many contributions to the Lewis and Clark Expedition, Clark refused to release York from bondage upon their return to St. Louis in 1806. What do we know about York after the expedition? #LewisandClarkTrail https://www.nps.gov/articles/york-after-the-lewis-and-clark-expedition.htm

Lewis and Clark Events That Happened This Month

(Ready-Made Posts)

On February 28, 1803, Meriwether Lewis received his “passport” from Great Britain, allowing him to safely pass should he and his party encounter British subjects throughout their western expedition.More: Lewis Receives Passport from Great Britain (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)