The RESTORE Act establishes a new National Freedom Settlements Preservation Program within the National Park Service to identify, research, preserve, and commemorate historically significant communities founded by formerly enslaved African Americans after the Civil War, commonly known as Freedmen's Settlements, Freedom Colonies, or Black Towns. The program authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to award grants to eligible entities—including property owners, tribal and local governments, and community organizations—for activities such as identifying and documenting these settlements, preserving historic properties, conducting research, building community capacity, and developing educational programs. The bill allocates $3 million annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2031 to support these grants and requires the Secretary to conduct a comprehensive study of key Freedom Settlement sites in consultation with community members, descendants, and experts, while maintaining a national registry of identified settlements. The program specifically protects private property rights by requiring owner consent before any site can participate and emphasizes partnerships with African American communities, scholars, and nonprofit organizations to ensure that preservation efforts honor the historical significance and current needs of these communities.
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