Baton Rouge unveils Black History Trail System

The new trail system allows residents and visitors to explore critical moments of Black history in the city.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The city of Baton Rouge is launching a new Black History Trail System today, a 1.8 to 3.4 mile walking trail that features QR codes at various sites along the route. Visitors can use the QR codes to read, listen to, or watch stories related to important moments in Black history in Baton Rouge. The trail was created through a collaboration between The Walls Project, the Downtown Development District, and EnvisioNBR.

Why it matters

The Black History Trail System provides an immersive and educational way for residents and visitors to engage with and learn about Baton Rouge's Black history. It represents an effort to preserve and commemorate critical moments and figures in the city's past through public space and placemaking.

The details

The trail system officially launches today with an unveiling event from 10am to 2pm. The event will include a welcome and invocation, two hours for visitors to explore the trail, and a legacy trail dedication and block party. The trail features QR codes at various sites that allow users to access multimedia content about the history of that location.

  • The Black History Trail System unveiling event is taking place today, February 27, 2026, from 10am to 2pm.
  • The trail system has been in development for the past three years.

The players

The Walls Project

A nonprofit organization that led the effort to create the Black History Trail System.

Downtown Development District

A local organization that partnered with The Walls Project and EnvisioNBR on the trail system.

EnvisioNBR

A local planning and development group that collaborated on the Black History Trail System.

Sid Edwards

The Mayor-President of Baton Rouge, who will speak at the trail system unveiling event.

Morgan Udoh

The Public Art Associate Director for The Walls Project, who described the trail system as a 'placemaking initiative' to 'reimagine public space as a site of education, memory, and historic preservation.'

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This placemaking initiative has been three years in the making, to reimagine public space as a site of education, memory, and historic preservation.”

— Morgan Udoh, Public Art Associate Director, The Walls Project

What’s next

The community is encouraged to attend the unveiling of the Black History Trail System today from 10am to 2pm. The revealing will begin at North Boulevard Town Square, including a word from Mayor-President Sid Edwards.

The takeaway

The new Black History Trail System in Baton Rouge represents an innovative approach to preserving and commemorating the city's Black history through an immersive, multimedia walking trail. By making this history accessible and engaging for residents and visitors, the trail aims to educate and inspire the community.