By: Tish Clark Posted: Jul 05, 2017 05:24 PM CDT Updated: Jul 05, 2017 06:47 PM CDT

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (localmemphis.com) – Celebrating the bluff city’s history and heritage. Memphis Heritage Trail wants to highlight history in areas of the city most people don’t know exist, and teach Memphis African-American history and culture in local schools.

The Memphis Heritage Trail is a historic 20-block redevelopment area in downtown Memphis.

Project leaders say it’ll be like a walking museum that will highlight history in many ways.

Memphis Heritage Trail Wants To Team…

They’re also hoping to partner with Shelby County Schools to teach students about African-Americans who helped shape Memphis’ rich heritage.

“How are you gonna go into the future if you don’t know the past? You know the past is a gateway to the future,” says Kirby High history teacher Lauren Barksdale.

Barksdale is also a volunteer with Memphis Heritage Trail, which will showcase Memphis history.

Barksdale recently conducted a pilot program for summer school students at Kirby.

“The curriculum itself is so vast and so adaptive and flexible it can go from grades K-12,” says Barksdale.

MHT highlights four different areas of Memphis heritage; residential, historical, entertainment, and civil rights. Project leaders say soon, signage will go up in areas of downtown, from Orange Mound, to Beale Street, and beyond, for people to take tours.

“It will bring tourism to our city. It will create jobs. We expect the economic impact of over $80-million dollars annually as a result of this project,” says Felicia Harris, the project manager for Memphis Heritage Trail.

Memphis Heritage Trail has been in the works since 2008. Project leaders plan to present curriculum to Shelby County School leaders in the fall, when the trail officially opens for tours.

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