Your guide to the Palm Beach County Black Cultural Heritage Trail starts here.
Explore interactive maps, must-see stops and see how the trail came to life.
Step into the past and discover how Black history shaped The Palm Beaches.
African Americans have played a pivotal and indelible role in shaping Florida’s history, particularly in Palm Beach County. From the post slavery era to the Civil Rights Movement and beyond, their contributions have been instrumental in the region’s social, cultural, and economic development. The vibrant communities they established, marked by resilience and cultural richness, have left an enduring imprint on Palm Beach County. Despite the challenges of systemic racism, African Americans have emerged as influential leaders, educators, and activists, who drove positive change and fostering a more inclusive and diverse narrative within the broader history of Florida and its localities. Their stories weave into the very fabric of the state’s past, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging and honoring the enduring legacy of African Americans in shaping the identity and progress of Palm Beach County.
– Brian Knowles of Power Builders: educator, historian, community advocate, and the writer and researcher who contributed to the Palm Beach County Black Cultural Heritage Trail
Ready to get started?
Click the links below to learn about the sites you can visit within four geographic regions of Palm Beach County. To help you plot a self-guided tour of the Trail, there is a Google map on this page. Modern-day photographs have been provided of each site in addition to historic images (as available).
Find Black Cultural Heritage Trail Sites
Each location on the Trail has been plotted on an interactive Google map that can be used on mobile devices or desktop computers. Palm Beach County is made up of 39 cities across almost 2,400 square miles. Use this map to plan a self-guided tour of the Trail based on where you are staying or which cultural destination you may be visiting. Trail sites are located across the county and up and down The Palm Beaches’ 47 miles of coastline. Check back regularly as additional cultural sites and information are added to the Trail.
History in the making
Read Brian Knowles’ first-person account of researching the Palm Beach County Black Cultural Heritage Trail and being part of history in the latest issue of art&culture magazine.
Community Partners
A Work in Progress
The Palm Beach County Black Cultural Heritage Trail is just starting! History is being made every day across Palm Beach County, and new locations and stories will continue to be added. Be sure to check back often to see how the trail grows and evolves!
Photo Gallery
All photography by Daniel Fortune
