Black History in Oxford

Oxford, Ohio has important Black history around every corner, from the houses you see that were once Black-owned businesses and spaces for community-building to the gorgeous architecture on the Miami University campus that contribute it to being called "The most beautiful campus that ever there was." (Robert Frost)

We believe that to best understand our present and to prepare for our future, we need to learn about and honor those who came before us and paved the way. Oxford's Black community fought for the integration of schools, created a semi-professional athletic team, and raised money to build (and rebuild) churches that still stand to this day and continue to be places of gathering.

Every February, our nation celebrates Black History Month. In addition to the opportunities below, here is a curated list of events happening in February 2022 at Miami University.

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The Oxford Black History Tour

Our self-guided Oxford Black History Tour was published in the summer of 2021, and updated in September 2022.

This self-guided tour takes you all around Oxford, from uptown buildings to a memorial on the Miami University campus.

It's our hope that this tour provides you with the opportunity to learn more about the people and places, the hardships and accomplishments, that make Black history in our town so important.

The online version of the tour can be found here. For a physical copy of the tour, you can pick one up from the Enjoy Oxford office (14 W. Park Place, Suite C.) or request one online by emailing info@enjoyoxford.org

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Plaques & Memorials

Oxford is continuing to put up important plaques and memorial spaces to make it easier than ever for all of us to find the specific spots where Black history in our town has taken place.

Learn more about Cephas Burns and Freedom Summer, as well as the dark history of lynching that our town recognizes and is coming to terms with in order to heal and grow.

Click here to learn about the plaques & memorials honoring Black history in Oxford.

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