Toyota Supporting Preservation of Historic African-American Places

Toyota donated $10,000 to the National Trust for Historic Preservation and managed Three-State Roadshow to the Iconic African-American Sites. When you take a drive down memory lane you connect to the past in a way. This visit evokes mixed emotions. These historical landmarks can educate the next generation.
February is a part of the Black History month. Knowing all of this, Toyota joins the National Trust for Historic Preservation (NTHP). Their aim is to raise awareness about America’s often missed yet not hidden African-American historic treasures.

“The National Trust for Historic Preservation couldn’t be more pleased that when Toyota says, “let’s go places” it also means the historic places we care about,” said Marita Rivero, chairman of the board of trustees, National Trust for Historic Preservation. “We believe there is no more powerful way to learn about who we are and where we are headed than from the very places where history happened. It is an honor to receive this generous donation from Toyota to further our efforts in ensuring that the full breadth of the American story is told.”

This road trip included sites like:

Villa Lewaro – Madam C.J. Walker’s mansion located in Irvington, New York: As the first-ever female millionaire in the United States, Walker’s palatial estate serves as a symbol of a time when an African American woman succeeded against the odds. The mansion is one of the key preservation projects for the NTHP.
Mother Bethel A.M.E. church in Philadelphia: the spiritual foundation of the African American’s plight
Harlem: a walking tour featuring sites that played an integral role in the Civil Rights movement

“We are proud to be a part of protecting cultural treasures for present and future generations to enjoy, preserving places that tell America’s rich history,” said Adrienne Trimble, general manager, Diversity & Inclusion, Toyota Motor North America. “These historical sites help showcase the many contributions African Americans have made to the rich tapestry of America. It’s important that we maintain them so that we can visit and discover our history.”

This Black History Month road trip finishes with a visit to the new Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. This Museum was opened last September in Washington D.C. and Toyota was one of the founding sponsors.

Beside this, Toyota also sponsored the National Archives in order to preserve some important documents, like the GI Bill of Rights and House Passage of the Bill of Rights. Recently, Toyota also donated funds to improve programming at the Museum of Mississippi History. This can help create the Toyota Civil Rights Gallery at the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum.