African American Histories by the Sea

In honor of Arts Month, the Santa Monica Conservancy has teamed up with historian Alison Rose Jefferson, PhD to offer a special tour experience focused on African American Histories by the Sea during the Jim Crow era (1900s-1960).

Click HERE to register.

This tour includes the rare opportunity to explore Santa Monica’s Belmar History + Art (BH+A) outdoor exhibition with Dr. Jefferson, who worked as the project historian in collaboration with artist April Banks.

Once a thriving community, Belmar was razed through eminent domain in the 1950s, and residents were displaced to make way for construction of the Civic Center campus. The BH+A project incorporated elements of art, community, and history to creatively and collectively celebrate the past and future legacy of African American contributions to Santa Monica life.

The tour begins at the BH+A exhibition at Historic Belmar Park. Jefferson will guide participants through the project as she shares hidden stories of local African American beach communities and how this unique applied history project came to pass.

The group will then visit nearby sites featured in the project including the Bay Street Beach Historic District and Phillips Chapel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.

Admission is $10 for the general public and $5 for Conservancy members.

Click HERE to register.