Endangered Black Landmarks

See which historic sites are in need of help.

The Metropolitan A.M.E. Church — Washington, D.C. - Each year The National Trust for Historic Preservation publishes a list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. In 2012, three historic Black locations were classified as endangered. Click to see which other Black landmarks have made the list in years past. — Naeesa Aziz Washington’s most famous Black church was listed on the endangered places list in 2010 but has since been deemed “saved” by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The church was founded in 1821 by a group of both free and enslaved African-Americans and has served as a champion of civil and human rights. The church has hosted a number of luminaries as guests and funerals for both Frederick Douglass and civil rights icon Rosa Parks.(Photo: metropolitanamec.org)

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The Metropolitan A.M.E. Church — Washington, D.C. - Each year The National Trust for Historic Preservation publishes a list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. In 2012, three historic Black locations were classified as endangered. Click to see which other Black landmarks have made the list in years past. — Naeesa Aziz Washington’s most famous Black church was listed on the endangered places list in 2010 but has since been deemed “saved” by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The church was founded in 1821 by a group of both free and enslaved African-Americans and has served as a champion of civil and human rights. The church has hosted a number of luminaries as guests and funerals for both Frederick Douglass and civil rights icon Rosa Parks.(Photo: metropolitanamec.org)

Hinchliffe Stadium — Paterson, New Jersey - This now vacant and worn stadium was one of the last remaining Negro League ballparks where Black baseball legends such as Josh Gibson, Buck Leonard and Dizzy Dean played before crowds.(Photo: hinchliffestadium.org)

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Hinchliffe Stadium — Paterson, New Jersey - This now vacant and worn stadium was one of the last remaining Negro League ballparks where Black baseball legends such as Josh Gibson, Buck Leonard and Dizzy Dean played before crowds.(Photo: hinchliffestadium.org)

Joe Frazier’s Gym — Philadelphia - The building that late boxing champ Joe Frazier, as well as other boxers, turned into a gym to train has been declared endangered. Frazier trained at this gym for his historic victory against Muhammad Ali in 1971, but it is not formally designated as a historic place on the state or national level.(Photo: philly.com)

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Joe Frazier’s Gym — Philadelphia - The building that late boxing champ Joe Frazier, as well as other boxers, turned into a gym to train has been declared endangered. Frazier trained at this gym for his historic victory against Muhammad Ali in 1971, but it is not formally designated as a historic place on the state or national level.(Photo: philly.com)

Sweet Auburn Historic District — Atlanta - Although the Sweet Auburn Historic District is registered as a historic place locally and nationally, the National Trust for Historic Preservation listed the area as endangered in 2012 due to “inappropriate development.” The area was once known as the “richest Negro street in the world,” and is the birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr. at 501 Auburn Avenue.(Photo: preservationnation.org)

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Sweet Auburn Historic District — Atlanta - Although the Sweet Auburn Historic District is registered as a historic place locally and nationally, the National Trust for Historic Preservation listed the area as endangered in 2012 due to “inappropriate development.” The area was once known as the “richest Negro street in the world,” and is the birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr. at 501 Auburn Avenue.(Photo: preservationnation.org)

Belmead-on-the-James — Powhatan County, Virginia - Unknown by many, Belmead-on-the-James is a 2,000-acre site along Virginia’s James River that was transformed from a plantation into a pair of schools for both African-American and Native-American students. The buildings were closed in the 1970s, and in 2011, the National Trust for Historic Preservation listed the sites as endangered because of severe deterioration.(Photo: preservationnation.org)

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Belmead-on-the-James — Powhatan County, Virginia - Unknown by many, Belmead-on-the-James is a 2,000-acre site along Virginia’s James River that was transformed from a plantation into a pair of schools for both African-American and Native-American students. The buildings were closed in the 1970s, and in 2011, the National Trust for Historic Preservation listed the sites as endangered because of severe deterioration.(Photo: preservationnation.org)

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John Coltrane Home — Dix Hills, New York - The home of jazz legend John Coltrane made the list of endangered places in 2011. The New York home is where Coltrane lived until his untimely death in 1967 and where he composed his most well-known album, A Love Supreme. (Photo: thecoltranehome.org)

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John Coltrane Home — Dix Hills, New York - The home of jazz legend John Coltrane made the list of endangered places in 2011. The New York home is where Coltrane lived until his untimely death in 1967 and where he composed his most well-known album, A Love Supreme. (Photo: thecoltranehome.org)

Dorchester Academy — Midway, Georgia - The former school for freed slaves and later an active community center and museum was listed as endangered in 2009.(Photo: dorchesteracademy.com)

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Dorchester Academy — Midway, Georgia - The former school for freed slaves and later an active community center and museum was listed as endangered in 2009.(Photo: dorchesteracademy.com)

Gullah/Geechee Coast — South Carolina - The southeastern stretch of the U.S. coastline between Cape Fear and the St. Johns River is home to the Gullah or Geechee people, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation says development in the region is threatening Gullah culture.The Gullah and Geechee people are descendants of slaves who have maintained the culture and language of their West African roots.(Photo: preservationnation.org)

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Gullah/Geechee Coast — South Carolina - The southeastern stretch of the U.S. coastline between Cape Fear and the St. Johns River is home to the Gullah or Geechee people, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation says development in the region is threatening Gullah culture.The Gullah and Geechee people are descendants of slaves who have maintained the culture and language of their West African roots.(Photo: preservationnation.org)

Sumner Elementary School — Topeka, Kansas - This Topeka high school stood at the center of the U.S. Supreme Court's 1954 ruling in Brown v. Board of Education. The school was listed as endangered in 2008 due to severe neglect.(Photo: preservationnation.org)  

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Sumner Elementary School — Topeka, Kansas - This Topeka high school stood at the center of the U.S. Supreme Court's 1954 ruling in Brown v. Board of Education. The school was listed as endangered in 2008 due to severe neglect.(Photo: preservationnation.org)  

Malcolm X House — Boston - Malcolm X’s boyhood home was listed as endangered in 2012 due to a lack of funding. Owned by Malcolm X’s nephew and left vacant for 30 years, plans are now in the works to transform the house into living quarters for graduate students who are studying African-American history, social justice or civil rights — but more money is needed to make the preservation a reality.(Photo: Courtesy Wikicommons)

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Malcolm X House — Boston - Malcolm X’s boyhood home was listed as endangered in 2012 due to a lack of funding. Owned by Malcolm X’s nephew and left vacant for 30 years, plans are now in the works to transform the house into living quarters for graduate students who are studying African-American history, social justice or civil rights — but more money is needed to make the preservation a reality.(Photo: Courtesy Wikicommons)