On Thursday, the National Park Service announced that Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area has been added to the Reconstruction Era National Historic Network. This network connects sites across the U.S. that focus on educating people about the Reconstruction Era, which lasted from 1861 to 1900. This period is important in American history and includes stories about freedom, education, and self-determination.

Along with Freedom’s Frontier, six other sites have also joined the network. These include Africatown Historic District and Old Cahawba Archaeological Park in Alabama, Lowndesboro First Missionary Baptist Church in Alabama, St. John’s AME Church in Virginia, the Campground Historic District in Alabama, and the Ernest F. Hollings ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge in South Carolina.

The Reconstruction Era National Historic Network was created as part of the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act in 2019. Managed by the Reconstruction Era National Historical Park, the network now includes over 100 sites and programs related to this era, reflecting recent federal efforts to honor Black history.

For more information about the Reconstruction Era National Historic Network, visit nps.gov/subjects/reconstruction/network.htm.