Routed in
History

"Routed in History: History Rides on Community Shoulders" is a collaborative project celebrating the rich cultural legacy and historical contributions of African Americans in Seattle’s Central District. The project was led by the Black Heritage Society of Washington State and RieImagine Solutions, in partnership with King County Metro and their Bus Shelter Mural program, with support from Historic Central Area Arts & Cultural District, MOHAI, and 4Culture. It features 40 photo murals installed across seven bus shelters in the Central District, from the Colman School occupancy to the Seattle Jazz Scene to the Legacy of Seattle Chapter of the Black Panther Party, each bus shelter weaves together an immersive, self-guided storytelling experience of Seattle’s past, present, and future.

“At the heart of a neighborhood is the vital beat that is central to its origin and significance. A healthy community is one that acknowledges the people, places, and events that helped to build it. The history of Seattle’s Central Area cannot be told, recognized, or documented without full appreciation for the Black residents whose tenacity pushed them to coexist and lay a legacy that we should honor today.”  

-Stephanie Johnson-Toliver, Co-Chair of HCAACD and President of the Black Heritage Society of Washington State

King Country Metro Blog: Black History is American History—Ride Metro to visit local African American history