Our Mission

Self-guided map and app unites stories of African American heroes, historic places and events

The "Road to Freedom" program, created through a partnership between the American Battlefield Trust and Civil War Trails, Inc., offers free physical and digital manifestations — a map guide available in visitor centers and distribution sites across the state and a web app with downloadable versions for Android and iOS devices.

The trail highlights 88 spots across Virginia, a key Civil War battleground state and an important passageway in the Underground Railroad. Sites stretch from Alexandria, just outside Washington, D.C., to Abingdon, near the Tennessee border, and tell stories of soldiers, slaves, educators, politicians and others, marking the places where they staged rebellions, fought for freedom, educated their children, were born and were buried. 

An ongoing research partnership with the African American Heritage Preservation Foundation will result in adding further context to existing entries by allowing Black voices to delve into the artistic, architectural and cultural significance of included sites. The addition of new sites and curated "collections" will further enhance the experience. 

"Since 1994, the African American Heritage Preservation Foundation has worked toward the preservation, maintenance, and awareness of endangered or little-known historical sites, especially in the mid-Atlantic," said president and founder E. Renée Ingram. "We are excited to join this dynamic project and look forward to showcasing the history and legacy of important places across Virginia." 

In February 2022, the American Battlefield Trust won a Silver Award from the Anthem Awards for its work in Education, Art & Culture. 'Road to Freedom' App Telling Story of Black Virginians In Civil War Era Wins Silver In Inaugural Anthem Awards | American Battlefield Trust (battlefields.org)

African American Sites™ Mobile App

The African American Heritage Preservation Foundation has created a free mobile app "African American Sites," that is available through The App Store and Google Play. 

The African American Sites app features more than 1,850 African American Sites located throughout the United States that include Heritage Trails, Military Sites, Museums, National Historic Landmarks, Endangered Historic Places and other historic places that focus on the rich contributions of African Americans to our nation's history. We were able to cull information from various websites and search engines to consolidate these wonderful African American Historic Sites into one application.

This African American Sites app includes a summary of each site and a link, where applicable, to find out more information and direct links for some that have virtual tours in lieu of visitation and some with educational lessons. There is a useful plugin, Geo-Fence, which will notify you when you are near a particular site.

Now available on the web - African American Sites

Case Study: African American Heritage Preservation Foundation, Inc. - Preservation Through Education

House of Delegates VA General Assembly – House Bill for historic African American Cemeteries

The African American Heritage Preservation Foundation worked with Virginia House Delegate C. Matt Fariss to implement the provisions of a House Bill that would recognize at least 36 historical African American graves at The Stanton Family Cemetery in Buckingham County and that The Stanton Family Cemetery be added to the list of Historical African American cemeteries cared for pursuant to § 10.1-2211.2 of the Code of Virginia. The Stanton Family Cemetery was placed on the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places in 1993.

The Virginia Department of Historic Resources has developed a Virginia Historical African American Cemetery and Graves Fund Manual that is an invaluable resource that other states can replicate for its historical African American cemeteries and grave sites.

On March 3, 2020, the Virginia General Assembly passed H 1523 the 2020 Legislative Session. Other Historic African American Cemeteries included in this legislation were: Calloway Cemetery, Lomax Cemetery, and Mount Salvation Cemetery of Arlington County; East End Cemetery in Henrico County; African-American Burial Ground for the Enslaved at Belmont in Loudoun County; New River Cemetery and West Dublin Cemetery in Pulaski County; Baptist Cemetery of the African American Heritage Park, Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery, Douglass Cemetery, Lebanon Union Cemetery, Methodist Protestant Cemetery and Penny Hill Cemetery in the City of Alexandria; Daughters of Zion Cemetery in the City of Charlottesville; Cuffeytown Cemetery in the City of Chesapeake; Bassette's Cemetery, Elmerton Cemetery, Good Samaritan Cemetery, Pleasant Shade Cemetery, Queen Street Cemetery, Tucker Family Cemetery and Union Street Cemetery in the City of Hampton; Newtown Cemetery in the City of Harrisonburg; Matthews Cemetery, The People's Cemetery and The Smith Street Cemetery in the City of Martinsville; Mt. Calvary Cemetery in the City of Portsmouth; Evergreen Cemetery in the City of Richmond; and, Oak Lawn Cemetery in the City of Suffolk.