Bronzeville-Black Metropolis National Heritage Area
The City of Chicago's Black Metropolis is a historic site of African American achievement in arts and culture, business and entrepreneurship, politics, sports, and recreation. The area stretches from the city's South Loop to Woodlawn (18th Street to the north, 71st street to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, and Canal Street to the west). The assemblage of natural, historic, educational, and recreational resources forms a cohesive, nationally distinctive landscape that is worth preserving. The area also serves as memorial to the Great Migration of 1910-70, a demographic movement in which approximately 600,000 African Americans migrated north in search of employment and improved life opportunities.
The Bronzeville Community Development Partnership, along with numerous community partners, decided to preserve its unique landscape and assets through a National Heritage Area (NHA) designation application. CMAP's role in this process is to craft the management plan for the Black Metropolis National Heritage Area.
The City of Chicago's Black Metropolis is a historic site of African American achievement in arts and culture, business and entrepreneurship, politics, sports, and recreation. The area stretches from the city's South Loop to Woodlawn (18th Street to the north, 71st street to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, and Canal Street to the west). The assemblage of natural, historic, educational, and recreational resources forms a cohesive, nationally distinctive landscape that is worth preserving. The area also serves as memorial to the Great Migration of 1910-70, a demographic movement in which approximately 600,000 African Americans migrated north in search of employment and improved life opportunities.
The Bronzeville Community Development Partnership, along with numerous community partners, decided to preserve its unique landscape and assets through a National Heritage Area (NHA) designation application. CMAP's role in this process is to craft the management plan for the Black Metropolis National Heritage Area.
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Bronzeville May Events
30 Apr 2025Share Bronzeville May Events on Facebook Share Bronzeville May Events on Twitter Share Bronzeville May Events on Linkedin Email Bronzeville May Events link6-May Harlem Globtrotters Honorary Street Dedication Wendell Phillips
Pershing Road and Giles Ave.10-May Annie Malone Celebration 11-May "The Stroll: Bronzeville Stylin'" (CANCELED) 17/18-May Pullman Railroad Days 35th and MLK Dr. 19-May Dept. of Planning Preservation Event Table Chicago Cultural Center -
Bronzeville & Open House Chicago - Special Tour
Share Bronzeville & Open House Chicago - Special Tour on Facebook Share Bronzeville & Open House Chicago - Special Tour on Twitter Share Bronzeville & Open House Chicago - Special Tour on Linkedin Email Bronzeville & Open House Chicago - Special Tour linkOn October 19th at 1:00 pm join Bronzville Black Metropolis National Heritage Area executive director Bernard Turner for this special tour focused on military history, Tour of Duty. The tour is part of Open House Chicago(External link) during which ten sites in Bronzeville will be open to the public. The tour starts at the site of Camp Douglas, the former Griffin Funeral Home 3232 S. King Dr. at 1pm. Join Bernard Turner, Dean Rodkin, and Roy Malone from Camp Douglas Restoration Foundation as we tell the story of Black Military history from the Civil War to the present. We will proceed to Victory Monument at 35th and King Dr. to learn about the heroic soldiers during WWI. We will then walk to the Eighth Regiment Armory, now Chicago Military Academy High School to see the artifacts and medals of the soldiers of the 370th Regiment and beyond who served in WWII and subsequent conflicts. The traveling Camp Douglas Exhibit will be on display at Chicago Military Academy High School.
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Bronzeville The Musical - August 23, 24, 25!
01 Aug 2024Share Bronzeville The Musical - August 23, 24, 25! on Facebook Share Bronzeville The Musical - August 23, 24, 25! on Twitter Share Bronzeville The Musical - August 23, 24, 25! on Linkedin Email Bronzeville The Musical - August 23, 24, 25! linkBronzeville the Musical produced by Mahdi Theatre Company will have another run this summer at the Logan Center for the Arts in Hyde Park on the University of Chicago Campus. The Great Migration to Chicago plays a central role in this father son story with themes of courage, redemption, faith and legacy. Tickets at this link.(External link)
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6th Annual CRR19 Historic Bike Tour
01 Jul 2024Share 6th Annual CRR19 Historic Bike Tour on Facebook Share 6th Annual CRR19 Historic Bike Tour on Twitter Share 6th Annual CRR19 Historic Bike Tour on Linkedin Email 6th Annual CRR19 Historic Bike Tour linkThe CMAP team will be attending the 6th annual Chicago Race Riot Historic Bike Tour on Saturday July 20th. Look for us on the ride and at the main check in area.
Tickets are free and at this link(External link)
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Ida B Wells Festival
Share Ida B Wells Festival on Facebook Share Ida B Wells Festival on Twitter Share Ida B Wells Festival on Linkedin Email Ida B Wells Festival linkThe CMAP team will be at the Third annual Ida B Wells Festival on June 29th.Check out our table and map at the Bronzeville Community Forum. The event is free register at this link.(External link)
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Camp Douglas Civil War Pop-Up Exhibit
29 May 2024Share Camp Douglas Civil War Pop-Up Exhibit on Facebook Share Camp Douglas Civil War Pop-Up Exhibit on Twitter Share Camp Douglas Civil War Pop-Up Exhibit on Linkedin Email Camp Douglas Civil War Pop-Up Exhibit linkDid you know that Bronzeville has a civil war history?
Learn more at an upcoming opening reception for a pop-up exhibit hosted by The Camp Douglas Restoration Foundation(External link) at Illinois Tech on June 8th from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. The CMAP team and partner The Bronzeville Black Metropolis National Heritage Area Commission(External link) will be on hand to engage attendees to promote awareness of the NHA planning process and learn more about the cultural tourism habits and preferences of residents and visitors. The event will take place at 10 W. 35th Street in Chicago.
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Raven Theatre - Prodigal Daughter Fundraiser Event 6/2/24
22 Apr 2024Share Raven Theatre - Prodigal Daughter Fundraiser Event 6/2/24 on Facebook Share Raven Theatre - Prodigal Daughter Fundraiser Event 6/2/24 on Twitter Share Raven Theatre - Prodigal Daughter Fundraiser Event 6/2/24 on Linkedin Email Raven Theatre - Prodigal Daughter Fundraiser Event 6/2/24 linkJoin the Bronzeville Black Metropolis National Heritage Area Commission at the Raven Theatre for this benefit performance of the play The Prodigal Daughter, the final installment of The Grand Boulevard Trilogy written by Joshua Allen on Sunday June 2nd at 3:00 pm. The CMAP team will be in the lobby to talk more about the plans for the National Heritage Area to promote cultural tourism and economic development. Be sure to use the promo code HISTORY for a special rate, tickets available at this link(External link) or scan the code in the flyer.
More about the play from the Raven web site: In the Red Summer of 1919, Chicago’s Black Belt is boiling over, from both the ruthless heat and the intensifying racial conflict gripping America. Virginia Bass, a successful saleswoman, is traveling with her business partner when they decide to pay her hometown and her family a visit. However, Virginia finds the welcome not nearly as warm as the weather outside, especially from her estranged father, leaving her wondering if it’s ever possible to truly come home. Unresolved feelings, deep-seated tension, and a deadly urban clash set the scene for the third and final installment of The Grand Boulevard Trilogy. -
Bronzeville the Musical
09 Apr 2024Share Bronzeville the Musical on Facebook Share Bronzeville the Musical on Twitter Share Bronzeville the Musical on Linkedin Email Bronzeville the Musical linkWe are excited to see that Bronzeville the Musical (External link)is playing once again in Chicago at the Fine Arts Building. It's a short run, from April 5 - 14, so get your tickets right away and don't miss this wonderful show. The show is produced by Mahdi Theatre company visit their web site(External link) for a special promo code.
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Bronzeville Designated State of IL Cultural District
14 Mar 2024Share Bronzeville Designated State of IL Cultural District on Facebook Share Bronzeville Designated State of IL Cultural District on Twitter Share Bronzeville Designated State of IL Cultural District on Linkedin Email Bronzeville Designated State of IL Cultural District linkThe State of IL has created a cultural district program and designated ten areas in IL - including Bronzeville. Watch the coverage(External link) on WTTW TV.
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Quinn Chapel in the News!
12 Feb 2024Share Quinn Chapel in the News! on Facebook Share Quinn Chapel in the News! on Twitter Share Quinn Chapel in the News! on Linkedin Email Quinn Chapel in the News! linkThis recent story in Block Club(External link) Chicago about the history of Quinn Chapel and its role in the underground railroad.
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June 28 2025
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