African American Recreational Tourism and the Negro Motorist Green Book in Michigan Historic Resource Survey and Multiple Property Documentation Form

The MSF, through the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office (the “SHPO”) is seeking a contractor (the “Contractor”) to research and prepare a Statewide Historic Context Statement (the “Historic Context Statement”) and Multiple Property Documentation Form (the “MPDF”) for African American Recreational Tourism, conduct an intensive-level historic resource survey (the “Survey”) of extant sites listed in the Negro Motorist Green Book (the “Green Book”) as identified in the SHPO’s Green Book site list (included in this RFP), and complete one (1) National Register of Historic Places (the “National Register”) nomination (the “Nomination,” and, together with the Historic Context Statement, MPDF, and the Survey, the “Project”) for one (1) Green Book site, to be determined during the course of the Project. The Project is funded through a 2023 National Park Service (the “NPS”) African American Civil Rights grant.


Background:

The Project is being undertaken as part of a larger initiative to expand the inclusion of underrepresented communities in Michigan’s National Register-listed properties. The SHPO is undertaking a coordinated effort to document and designate sites related to the African American recreational tourism experience in the state, beginning with a Historic Context Statement and Survey. The Survey will examine extant sites in the state listed in the Green Book between 1938 and 1967. The Michigan sites listed in the Green Books cover a broad range of property types from gas stations to rooming houses and resorts. Well-known destinations such as Idlewild were well represented in the Green Books, but smaller towns across Michigan also had safe places for travelers seeking services. The SHPO has been conducting research on the approximately 230 sites in the state listed in the Green Book and has narrowed the list to approximately 100 that have been identified as still standing or where additional research needs to be conducted. The Historic Context Statement and Survey will inform the preparation of a MPDF for African American Recreational Tourism, including registration requirements for listing, as well as the completion of one (1) National Register Nomination for a property to be determined in consultation with SHPO staff and other interested parties.

Timeline

  • November 15, 2024: RFP Release
  • November 26, 2024, at 3:00 p.m.: Questions from potential Bidders are due via email to [email protected]. Please note: The MSF will not respond to questions that are not received by the above date and time. In addition, questions that are phoned, faxed or sent through regular mail will not be accepted.
  • December 6, 2024, by close of business: Responses to all qualifying questions will be posted on this webpage.
  • December 20, 2024, at 3:00 p.m.: Electronic versions sent separately of each bidder's Technical Proposal and Price Proposals due to the MSF via email to [email protected]. Proposals will not be accepted via U.S. Mail or any other delivery method.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Questions regarding the RFP should be sent to: [email protected].

RFP Details

Click here to view the full details of the RFP.