The Department of Neighborhoods Historic Preservation Program is documenting landmarks, stories, and the heritage of Black Seattle, and we need your help to get it right! We know that our records are incomplete, and there are gaps in how Black history has been preserved in Seattle. Over the years, the City of Seattle has designated over 450 landmarks and less than two percent of them directly reflect Black history. The Seattle Black Heritage Project lets the community decide how to change that.
For the next two years, our Historic Preservation and Communications teams are focusing on Black stories and historic places in Seattle. The project consolidates existing research into a Seattle Black Heritage Interactive Map that shows what others have documented and what we are currently collecting. We are connecting with community experts and knowledge holders to learn what is missing and engaging diverse communities to contribute their knowledge and sites to the map. That’s where you come in!
You know things we don’t. If you have sites or stories to add on this map, fill out the submission form to add a site and tell us why it matters.
This form lets you tell us about important places to Seattle’s Black community: businesses, homes, churches, gathering spots, and anywhere else that carries a story you find meaningful. It doesn’t have to still exist. It doesn’t have to meet traditional definitions of “historic.” If it’s worth sharing, it’s worth mapping.
Your submission will be reviewed by our team and, with your permission, added to our public map. We will only publish your first name and last initial. Your phone number will never be published and will only be used if we’d like to follow up with you. You can also submit anonymously if you prefer.
The Seattle Black Heritage Project is funded in part by 4Culture. This work will culminate in the Historic Preservation program undertaking a preservation project in 2027, shaped by community input and priorities.
If you or your organization have knowledge to share or want to be part of this work, email michael.delange@seattle.gov and we’ll be in touch.
