National Park Service - Planning Environment and Public Comment (PEPC)

Project Links

Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site from street

Develop GMP for Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site

National Capital Parks - East » Develop GMP for Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site » Document List

Dear Interested Party:

The National Park Service is planning for the future of the Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site. Congress authorized the Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site on December 19, 2003, by Public Law 108-192. The site was set aside to preserve, protect, and interpret for the benefit, education, and inspiration of present and future generations the home (and legacy) of the preeminent historian and educator Dr. Carter G. Woodson, founder of the organization known today as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History.

As a new unit of the national park system, the national historic site has not had a previous comprehensive planning effort. The General Management Plan / Environmental Assessment / Interpretation Plan presents and analyzes alternative directions for the development, visitor use, and management of Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site. The national historic site includes Dr. Woodson's home at 1538 9th Street NW, and the two row houses adjacent to it at 1540 and 1542 9th Street NW, Washington, D.C.

The purpose of a general management plan is to ensure that the national historic site managers have a clearly defined direction for developing the site while providing for public access and resource protection. Together, the National Park Service and interested groups and individuals developed two alternatives for management of the national historic site.

In developing this plan, the National Park Service has been working with federal, District of Columbia, and local agencies, interested parties, and the general public. Throughout the planning process, the National Park Service has received ideas and comments from members of the public. Input from the public is valuable, and I hope you will take part in reviewing the plan.

The first alternative is the no-action alternative. Under the no-action alternative, visitors would have the opportunity to tour Dr. Woodson's neighborhood, view the restored and/or stabilized historic structure façades, and understand how the neighborhood influenced his life and work.

The second alternative is the National Park Service preferred alternative. The emphasis under the preferred alternative would be to learn about Dr. Woodson's life and legacy. Visitors would learn about Dr. Woodson through tours of his restored home, and through innovative and interactive interpretive exhibits, videos, materials, and programs in the adjacent buildings. Under both alternatives, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History would assist the National Park Service with interpretation and special events.

The plan will be available for public review and comment during the period of February 13 to March 13, 2012. I invite you to read and comment on it. Click on "Open For Comment" on the left side of this page to access the plan and to record your comments.

If you are unable to attend the meeting, I recommend visiting www.nps.gov/cawo starting February 13, 2012, to view a video message from me. Look under "Park Management" on the left side of the page for a link to the video.

Suggestions for making comments more effective include addressing specific areas of the general management plan (e.g., the alternatives, analysis in the environmental consequences chapter, or the affected environment), and providing a rationale or the "why" behind the comment. We cannot accept faxed comments and telephone messages.

I welcome your participation in this planning effort and look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for your interest!

Sincerely,

Alexcy Romero
Superintendent, National Capital Parks-East