History is more than what you can read in a book, and this Black History Month, you can see important locations from the past for yourself.
Take a tour of these monuments and buildings that commemorate Indianapolis’ Black history.
Kennedy King Memorial
On April 4, 1968, Robert Kennedy shared news of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination with a crowd who had gathered to hear him speak at a scheduled appearance. Among his remarks were these famous words: “What we need in the United States is not division; what we need in the United States is not hatred; what we need in the United States is not violence and lawlessness, but is love, and wisdom, and compassion toward one another.”
The site of the speech was memorialized in 1995 with “Landmark for Peace,” an art installation dedicated by President Bill Clinton. It pictures Dr. King and Kennedy reaching for each other in fellowship. The rest of the 14-acre park was renamed after Dr. King and includes a park center with an exhibit room dedicated to Dr. King and the history of the Civil Rights Movement.
Madam Walker Legacy Center
This four-story, block-long flatiron building was originally intended to serve as the headquarters and factory of the Madam C. J. Walker Manufacturing Company. When the doors opened in 1927, eight years after Walker’s death, it had become a center for the community with a drugstore, a beauty salon + school, a restaurant, offices, a ballroom, and a 1,500-seat theater.
Today, the building and 501 c3 non-profit organization continues to host community events, art exhibitions, concerts, and more — with the goal of preserving Walker’s legacy by providing cultural education, promoting social justice, supporting entrepreneurship, and empowering youth to become entrepreneurs and civic leaders. Learn more about Walker’s story.
Crispus Attucks High School
In 1770, Crispus Attucks, a sailor of African and Native American descent, was the first American to die in the Boston Massacre. This school opened in 1927 in his name as a segregated school for Black students. Today, the building houses a museum filled with local memorabilia and other artifacts.
Major Taylor Velodrome
Indianapolis native and bicyclist Marshall Walter “Major” Taylor was the first Black athlete to achieve championship status in any competitive sport, earning three US championship titles and two world championship titles between 1898 and 1910.
The velodrome (an arena built specifically for track cycling) named in his honor is one of only 21 velodromes in the US. It hosts weekly training, racing, and open track events between April and September. Pro tip: Spectator admission is free, and highly entertaining.
Indianapolis parks
Indy is home to dozens of parks named after Black Americans who helped shape our country, and Indianapolis in particular. Here’s a full list of every park named after an influential figure.
Are there any monuments or places commemorating Black history in Indy that we should add to our list? Let us know.
