CLARKSDALE, MISSISSIPPI–FEBRUARY 2026–For more than 150 years, Coahoma County has been home to vibrant Black communities that have been central to the development of the Delta. They played key roles in the farms that were the engine for region’s the economy, in transforming the music that created Clarksdale’s lore as “ground zero” for the Blues and in the Civil Rights Movement that changed America.

Clarksdale, Mississippi, is in Coahoma County, 70 miles south of Memphis, near the northwest border with Arkansas. This is where U.S. Highway 61 and U.S. Highway 49 intersect and for generations it’s been where cultures meld and traditions are formed.

With a well-documented history of its difficult race relations, Clarksdale’s stories mirror those found throughout the Delta. But what was once a segregated community changed due to local heroes’ efforts to win equality and justice so many years ago. Many leaders in the Civil Rights Movement here were only teens when they stood up for equality. Others were business owners who could not be fired for their activism and used their position to help so many others have a voice.

There are dozens of sites here, some home to thriving businesses, educational venues or gathering places, some noted merely by a marker, that tell the stories of important moments in the Civil Rights Movement. Others celebrate the region’s culture and music, both such integral parts of African American history in this region.

Civil Rights

The site of Vera Mae Pigee’s Beauty Salon (407 Ashton Street, Clarksdale, Mississippi 38614), which burned down several years ago, holds an important place in Civil Rights history here. This was a successful business as well as a safe space for Civil Rights activities, organizing, and shelter, and is where members of SNCC and NAACP met and taught literacy classes in an effort to increase African American voter registration. 

The 4th Street Drug Store (213 Martin Luther King Boulevard, Clarksdale, Mississippi 38614) was owned by prominent NAACP leader Dr. Aaron Henry. He conducted voter registration activities and led boycotts of downtown merchants in the early 1960s. He was arrested and his home and pharmacy were firebombed. Today, the site is also home to a Mississippi Freedom Trail marker for Dr. Aaron Henry.

The Woolworth’s building (Clarksdale, Mississippi 38614) is a National Register of Historic Places site were a 27-stool lunch counter was the site of anti-segregation demonstrations in the 1960s.

Culture

Since its opening in 1944 the Riverside Hotel (615 Sunflower Avenue, Clarksdale, Mississippi 38614; 662-627-3794) was known as a safe haven for African Americans. On the hotel grounds, 2025 saw the grand opening of the Riverside Hotel Interpretive Center–the Living Blues and Civil Rights Museum, which tells the many stories of the hotel’s role for 27 years as the Clarksdale Colored Hospital. It was also known as a safe place for traveling Black musicians to stay, when it opened as a hotel. The Riverside Hotel was the only Clarksdale hotel ever listed in “The Green Book,” a travel guide for African American motorists, published from 1936 to 1966. In 2023 it was added to the African American Civil Rights Network because of its role during segregation. It is now one of only 70 sites in the country with that designation. Some of the most famous musicians in history, such as Sonny Boy Williamson II, Ike Turner, Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters and Sam Cooke frequented the hotel as they toured, performing in juke joints throughout the South.

The Delta Blues Museum (#1 Blues Alley, Clarksdale, Mississippi 38614; 662-627-6820) is internationally acclaimed as a showcase of the history and significance of the Blues in this region. It is filled with memorabilia, photographs, recordings and more, telling the stories of Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Charlie Musselwhite and other legends. 

Crossroads Cultural Arts Center (332 Delta Avenue, Clarksdale, Mississippi 38614; 662-483-1294) is designed as a space for learning about local history, storytelling through music and the visual arts. Its walls are covered with original work from local artists and intimate seating spaces allow visitors to enjoy the music performed on its small stage.

Music

Black churches have long been home to worship through song. They still represent a thriving part of the spiritual community here. There were many congregations throughout the county that hosted meetings, programs and Civil Rights events, including visits from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and they are still open for worship today, with gospel music filling their halls. 

The Blues, both traditional tunes and modern interpretations by creative new artists, can be heard most any night of the week here.

Red’s Blues Club (398 Sunflower Avenue, Clarksdale, Mississippi 38614; 662-627-3166) is located in the former LaVene Music Center building and is internationally celebrated as one of the oldest juke joints still in operation. It has a decades-old history of booking Black musicians that dates back to the Chitlin’ Circuit and beyond.

Ground Zero Blues Club (387 Delta Avenue, Clarksdale, Mississippi 38614; 662-621-9009) carries the name synonymous with Clarksdale’s place in the Blues world and carries on its rich traditions. Local and regional acts take to the stage every week.

If you go

Clarksdale is home to one-of-a-kind lodging options that will add to any Delta experience. Boutique downtown hotels, historic motels and rural farm shacks are all options here. And of course, the food of Coahoma County is legendary. The aromas, tastes and traditions found in area restaurants are clear signs that the influence of the Black communities of the Delta is still a part of the fabric of life here. Try these Coahoma County favorites:

Abe’s Bar-B-Q (616 North State Street, Clarksdale, Mississippi 38614; 662-624-9947) is famous for its location as well as its food. It sits at the intersection of Highways 61 and 49, the legendary crossroads, and serves up legendary barbecue and hot tamales.

Our Grandma’s House of Pancakes (115 Third Street Clarksdale Mississippi 38614; 662-592-5290) is a local favorite for its breakfast specialties as well as juicy burgers and Southern favorites.

Blu Cotton Bake Shop (301 Issaquena Avenue, Clarksdale, Mississippi 38614; 662-483-1637) serves up breakfast and lunch and is no ordinary bakery. It is also a popular art and music gallery.

At Josie’s (220 Yazoo Avenue, Clarksdale, Mississippi 38614), a popular bar and grill, the catfish is a favorite but there are plenty more tasty dishes from which to choose.

Outside of town, Kenoy’s (4125 Friars Point Road, Clarksdale, Mississippi 38614; 662-624-9030) is a legendary burger joint, famous for a two-fisted burger and fried pork chop sandwich. (They also offer banner and t-shirt printing.) And another Delta favorite, The Matchbox (311 Delta Avenue, Clarksdale, Mississippi 38614; 662-624-7036) is known as a lively music venue with great food and good vibes.

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ALBANY, GEORGIA–JANAUARY 2026–For Black History Month 2026, Visit Albany, Georgia invites visitors and media to explore the living history of the Civil Rights Movement through the remarkable life and voice of Miss Rutha Mae Harris, the last remaining original member of the Albany Freedom Singers in Deep South Georgia along the banks of the Flint River. 

Harris’s extraordinary journey–from singing freedom songs in mass meetings and jail cells during the Albany Movement of 1961–1962 to touring the nation with the Freedom Singers–offers a powerful and personal lens on one of the most pivotal campaigns of the modern Civil Rights Movement.

“I’ve never been afraid when I am singing,” Harris has said of the role music played in sustaining activists on the front lines of justice. Her voice continues to lift spirits and carry the truth of Albany’s struggle for equality into the present day.

A movement born of music and local courage

In the fall of 1961, Albany became the focus of a bold grassroots effort to dismantle segregation across an entire city. Thousands of local residents–including students, church congregations and families–risked arrest in mass protests that drew national attention. In this landscape, freedom songs weren’t mere accompaniment…they were essential tools of resilience and unity.

At churches throughout Albany, activists gathered nightly, often standing room only as crowds swelled from one service to the next. When Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. arrived in Albany, he traveled from church to church in a single day, speaking to growing audiences and helping amplify the movement’s message of justice and nonviolent resistance.

From those gatherings emerged the Freedom Singers, a quartet formed in 1962 that included Harris along with Bernice Johnson Reagon, Cordell Reagon and Charles Neblett. The group toured across the country, performing at universities, churches and civic halls—even at the historic March on Washington—spreading the message of freedom through song and raising funds for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). 

Celebrate Black History Month in Albany

Albany’s civil rights story is preserved through multiple historic sites that offer visitors immersive experiences:

• Albany Civil Rights Institute—Exhibits, archives and programming that bring the Albany Movement to life.
• Old Mt. Zion Baptist Church & Shiloh Baptist Church—Sites where mass meetings and freedom singing were central to organizing.
• Charles Sherrod Civil Rights Park—Honors a key leader of Albany’s movement.

Throughout February, life and legacy come together in Albany as the city commemorates Black History Month with opportunities to engage with living history, reflective tours and performances inspired by the music and spirit of the movement.

“Albany’s civil rights heritage is not a photo in a book—it’s a voice you can still hear today,” said Kasey Summerville, executive director at Visit Albany, Georgia.

For media previews, interviews with Miss Rutha Mae Harris, and more information on Black History Month programming and civil rights heritage tours, please contact Visit Albany, Georgia or visit VisitAlbanyGA.com.

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FREDERICKSBURG, VIRGINIA–DECEMBER 2025–Fredericksburg, Virginia, is a place known for its history. Situated midway between Washington, D.C. and Richmond, Virginia, its location along the Rappahannock River is the site of a collection of authentic American stories ranging from those of a young nation’s soon-to-be President to those of Black Americans struggling for equality. Today, these stories are preserved amid the contemporary streets of a vibrant, welcoming destination. Its downtown is filled with the businesses of talented, creative entrepreneurs, chefs and artists of all backgrounds. And today, the combination of a diverse, inclusive city and a dedication to preserving and telling the stories of its past, makes this a destination for those interested in exploring Civil Rights history.

“When I got to work at the fish market (Fredericksburg Fish Market) in the summer of 1955, June. I remember when I was in Fredericksburg, and I had to go to the bathroom. We couldn’t go to the bathroom. You would have to go down under the bridge (Chatham Bridge) to go to the bathroom. And we would relieve ourselves under the bridge. Women, men, and anybody that had to go.” – John A. White.

It is stories like these that make Fredericksburg’s important African American history come to life. Fredericksburg Civil Rights Trail, a destination on the U.S. Civil Rights Trail, includes stories and sites of the Civil Rights Movement here, from the end of the Civil War to the present. The timeline begins in 1865, and chronicles the efforts of Black people to create educational, housing and business opportunities during the Jim Crow era. There are sites where racial segregation was protested in the 1950s and 60s, and more recent events led by Black political leaders and Black Lives Matter activists are noted.

Entitled “Freedom, A Work In Progress,” Fredericksburg’s Civil Rights Trail is filled with unforgettable, firsthand stories of locals. One account is from Robert Christian, who remembers the hostility he faced as the first Black student attending Maury School when it was first desegregated and another from John A. White who was not allowed in public restrooms. Another site is the corner of Caroline and William Streets, where sit-ins were staged at the lunch counters of W.T. Grant or F.W. Woolworth.

These are joined by many more locations, like the National Bank Building (Now Foode, 900 Princess Anne Street, Fredericksburg Virginia 22401), one of the headquarters for the Freedmen’s Bureau during Reconstruction. The bureau was established after the conclusion of the Civil War to help transition formerly enslaved people to become self-sufficient. 

And there are stories from Shiloh Baptist Church (801 Sophia Street, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401; 540-373-8701) where the Black community has worshiped since the late 1800s. At this stop of the trail, Ambassador Pamela Bridgewater saw her grandfather teach members of his congregation to read. “ . . . he started a night school to teach people how to read and write. He would ask them the question, ‘Do you want to be able to read and write? Do you want to be able to vote?’ His bottom line was he wanted them to be able to go in there to be able to cast their votes and register.” 

The trail consists of 21 sites and has two parts. Part 1 is a 2.6-mile walking tour that starts at the Fredericksburg Visitor Center (601 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401; 540-373-1776) and takes visitors through the historic downtown district. An online trail map serves as a guide and includes narrated segments and oral histories. 

Part 2 starts on the University of Mary Washington campus (1301 College Avenue, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401; 540-654-1234) and includes stops at Shiloh Cemetery (801 Sophia Street, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401) and the Dorothy Hart Community Center (408 Canal Street, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401; 540-372-1086). In addition to 1.5 miles of walking on campus, this section includes a nearly two-mile driving tour. 

The trail was launched in 2023 and is the result of an ongoing partnership between the City of Fredericksburg, University of Mary Washington’s James Farmer Multicultural Center and the university faculty and students. It became a part of the U.S. Civil Rights Trail in February of 2024, and will be updated as future stories and information are uncovered and shared.

Where to stay

Fredericksburg has a variety of lodging options, from well-known branded hotels to one-of-a-kind properties. The variety includes selections, such as:

Courtyard by Marriott Fredericksburg Historic District (620 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401; 540-369-9321) offers 98 rooms just steps from the Fredericksburg Visitor Center and a host of downtown restaurants and shops.

Richard Johnston Inn and 1890 Caroline House (711 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401; 540-899-7606) is full of historic charm that dates back to the early 18th century. With over 10 rooms in the heart downtown, it is a perfect cozy retreat. 

The Publisher, Fredericksburg: A Tribute Portfolio Hotel (711 William Street, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401; 540-518-2624) stands on the site of the once daily Fredericksburg newspaper, the Free-Lance Star. The boutique hotel has 98 rooms and a host of luxury amenities, and is home to FIVE Chophouse, which serves breakfast and dinner.

Ironclad Inn (1200 Princess Anne Street, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401; 540-371-7622) Built circa 1793, Ironclad Inn is a former Colonial brick private residence set in the heart of historic downtown which has nine bedrooms, each unique and individually furnished, and the Tasting Room & Bourbon Bottle Shop.

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DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA–OCTOBER 2025–As the home of a 23-mile stretch of Atlantic shoreline known by many as the world’s most famous beach, Daytona Beach is familiar to many who love its beautiful waters and classic boardwalk (12 South Ocean Avenue, Daytona Beach, Florida 32118; 386-253-0254) and pier (1200 Main Street, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114). There is far more to discover beyond the beach here, too. Those looking for variety, and particularly those who enjoy delving into a destination’s history and culture, will find a plethora of options, including landmarks and attractions that chronicle important moments in African American history.

Daytona Beach is between St. Augustine and the Kennedy Space Center and just an hour east of Orlando, with easy access via Interstates 95 and 4, which intersect here. The Daytona Beach International Airport (700 Catalina Drive, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114; 386-248-8030) is convenient for air travelers and offers non-stop flights from select cities.

For those who want to enjoy a variety of beyond-the-beach activities, there are many avenues to explore, including some that may be unexpected. Many visitors are surprised to learn that there is much to discover about African American history here. The Daytona Beach Black Heritage Trail introduces many aspects of Daytona Beach’s black heritage at 18 locations. Here are just a few of the highlights:

Daytona Beach

The Mary McLeod Bethune Home & Gravesite (640 Dr Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114; 386-481-2121) is a National Historic Landmark and is the former home of civil rights leader, educator and founder of Bethune-Cookman University (386-481-2000), Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune. Born to former slaves a decade after the Civil War, Bethune devoted her life to ensuring quality education and freedom from discrimination for African Americans. The home, located on the grounds of the university, is filled with furnishings, artifacts and photos of famous visitors during her life and tenure. Many of her papers and writings are housed in the university archives on the second floor of the Carl S. Swisher Library. (As of this writing, the home is closed for renovations). Bethune is also honored with statues both on campus and at Daytona Beach’s Riverfront Esplanade (Corner of Beach Street and Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114).

The Historic Howard Thurman Home (614 Whitehall Street, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114; 386-258-7514) aims to preserve Thurman’s legacy and to serve as a place for the public to learn about the intellectual roots of the U.S. civil rights movement. This is the childhood home of the native son of Daytona Beach, who became a noted 20th century theologian and one of the most influential early voices shaping the nonviolent philosophy of the Modern Civil Rights Movement in America. It is said that his most famous book, “Jesus and the Disinherited” (1949), profoundly influenced a young Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and other young activists and leaders in the Civil Rights movement. The home is open for tours on Friday and Saturday afternoons and other times by appointment.

Mount Bethel Baptist Institutional Church (700 South Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114; 386-255-6922) was first formed when, in 1885, a group of Christians, under the leadership of Rev. Joseph Brook Hankerson, recognized the need for African Americans to have a place to worship in the community. On June 22, Mount Bethel was constructed on the corner of Fremont Avenue and Church Street (now Marion Street). The current Mount Bethel was erected in 1921.

The Jackie Robinson Ballpark and Statue (105 East Orange Avenue, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114; 386-257-3172) is now home to the minor league Daytona Tortugas, but it was here that Jackie Robinson played in the first integrated Major League Baseball spring training game in 1946. The park features a statue of Robinson, historical markers and a museum. The ballpark, which is designated as a National Commemorative Site and part of the African American Civil Rights Network, is the oldest operating minor league ballpark in the United States. Nearby, another marker notes the former location of Kelly Field (981 George W. Ingram Boulevard, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114), where Jackie Robinson and fellow Negro League veteran Johnny Wright practiced with the Montreal Royals during spring training in 1946.

Around the county

African American Museum of the Arts (325 South Clara Avenue, DeLand, Florida 32720; 386-736-4004) features African art from Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Madagascar and Kenya in its permanent gallery and also has six rotating visual arts exhibits and amphitheater events throughout the year. Founded in 1994, it is the only museum in the area devoted primarily to African American cultures and art. Its collection includes more than 150 artifacts, including sculptures and masks from countries of Africa.

Mary S. Harrell Black Heritage Museum (314 North Duss Street, New Smyrna Beach, Florida 32168; 386-428-6225) houses a collection of photographs, memorabilia and artifacts that tell stories of the hardships and triumphs of this African American community and of the history of race relations in small-town Florida over the course of the 20th century.

Freemanville Historic Site (3431 Ridgewood Avenue, Port Orange, Florida 32119; 386-756-5201) is the location of the county’s first African American community, settled by freed slaves in 1867. This largely unknown community was recognized with a state historic marker 2003. The last remaining Freemanville building, the community’s church, still remains. On the second Tuesday in February each year, the City of Port Orange celebrates Freemanville Day with historic reenactments.

Noteworthy

The talents and accomplishments of local African Americans are celebrated and on display at many other spots throughout Daytona Beach and Volusia County, including:

Bethel AME Church (210 East Howry Avenue, DeLand, Florida 32724) was finished in 1907 and designed by John A. Lankford, the nation’s first practicing African-American architect. 

Daisy Stocking Park (555 Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114) was dedicated in 1971 to an accomplished nurse and humanitarian who came to Daytona Beach in 1916 at the urging of a fellow South Carolinian, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune. 

Samuel L. Butts Archeological Park (750 Bellevue Avenue, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114; 386-671-8000) is named for the local man who collected prehistoric bones at the site for 20 years. He found spear joints, bone tools and pottery fragments left by Native Americans more than 5,000 years ago. 

Beyond its wealth of sites spotlighting African American history, Daytona Beach’s neighborhoods and downtown districts offer things to do for a surprising array of interests. From museums and galleries to satisfy discerning art lovers to an impressive mix of shopping venues to, of course, places for race fans to enjoy. Beyond the excitement of the Daytona International Speedway (1801 West International Speedway Boulevard, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114; 800-748-7467) and the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (1801 West International Speedway Boulevard, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114; 386-681-6842), there are others that offer insights into racing’s history here, including a self-guided walk through Birthplace of Speed Park (12 Ocean Shore Boulevard, Ormond Beach, Florida 32176; 386-676-3216) in Ormond Beach and the beach racing display at the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse and Museum (4931 South Peninsula Drive, Ponce Inlet, Florida 32127; 386-761-1821) for a historical perspective. The stories of the innovators of beach racing and the drive that propelled the sport to the phenomenon it is today are well documented throughout this destination that is filled with ways to explore and learn more about racing.

Where to stay

The lodging options in Daytona include a variety few other destinations can match. There are classic beachfront spots that have long been a part of this destination’s personality. These include the Art Deco boutique, The Streamline Hotel (140 South Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach, Florida 32118; 386-947-7470), said to be the birthplace of NASCAR. Tropical Manor on the Ocean (2237 South Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach Shores, Florida 32118; 386-252-4920) is a collection of tropically themed cottages dubbed an “oceanfront oasis” and Perry’s Ocean Edge Resort (2209 South Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach, Florida 32118; 386-255-0581), which began in 1940s, offers retro-style and modern amenities. 

Newer favorites include the Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach (918 North Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach, Florida 32118; 386-947-7300) featuring 200 guest rooms and four-star service, The Daytona, Autograph Collection at ONE DAYTONA (1870 Victory Circle, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114; 386-323-9777), where 144 custom luxury guest rooms feature balconies with views of Victory Circle at ONE DAYTONA and Daytona International Speedway and the Max Beach Resort (1901 South Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach, Florida 32118; 386-999-2555), which offers spacious vacation rentals.

Daytona Beach’s newest lodging option is the Renaissance by Marriott Daytona Beach Oceanfront (640 North Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach, Florida 32118; 386-271-2050). This modern property features a state-of-the art design, accommodations with private balconies, a high-end seafood restaurant called Cast & Crew and oceanfront ballroom with amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean.

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Onslow County, North Carolina, may be known for its white sandy beaches, pristine waters and charming towns, but dig deeper and discover the treasured past of this coastal gem. Located off of I-95, north of Wilmington and east of Raleigh and I-40, Onslow County encompasses the areas of Richlands, Jacksonville, Camp Lejeune, North Topsail Beach, Sneads Ferry and Swansboro. Set off on a journey to explore the natural beauty’s connection to secret guided missile testing, World War II, African American history and more.

World War II Connections: Bumblebee and memorial gardens

Onslow’s story began in 1940. World War II had been raging in Europe for more than a year and the United States needed an East Coast training facility. The Navy purchased an initial 110,000-acre tract of land in Onslow County, which eventually became Camp Lejeune. When planners added the remote pine forests and miles of beach, the value of Camp Lejeune as a home training base for Marines was unbeatable. Today, the marine camp is home to the 3rd battalion/8th Marine Regiment.

Just steps away from Onslow County is Topsail Island–the home of Operation Bumblebee,  the U.S. Navy’s secret guided missile testing program that operated from 1946-1948. Exhibits at the Missiles and More Museum include model and original missiles from the project, a full-size Talos guided missile located outside at the front of the building and, in the Museum Kiosk, a film made in 1940 that chronicles the history of the program. Fun fact–the principle behind the controlled ramjet engine (the main concept for today’s supersonic flight) was tested and proven on Topsail Island as a result of Operation Bumblebee. www.MisslesAndMoreMuseum.org

Explore more military history at Lejeune Memorial Gardens. Here, find the newest addition to the Gardens, the Montford Point Marine Memorial. The Montford Point Marines were the first African American Marines to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps and bravely fought in WWII. The gardens are also home to the Onslow Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Stunning glass panels feature the names of all 58,000 soldiers and personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country while serving in Vietnam. Steps away, discover the Beirut Memorial. This solemn tribute honors the 273 Marines who gave the last full measure of devotion in Lebanon and Grenada on October 23, 1983, in a terrorist attack. Many of the fallen marines were stationed at Camp Lejeune and lived in Onslow County. The names of each service member are engraved in a granite wall, along with the words “They Came in Peace.” The gardens also hold a 9/11 memorial, which features a beam from one of the twin towers.OnlyInOnslow.com/History

History lives on

Built around 1850, the Pelletier House survives as Jacksonville’s oldest and only remaining antebellum home. This hipped roof Greek Revival dwelling initially occupied part of a turpentine distillery lot owned by the family. The home is open to group tours by request. www.OnslowCountyNC.gov

Swansboro Historical Association is committed to preserving the history and telling the stories of the region. Through its Heritage Center, historic homes tour, walking tours, history comes to life.  For the adventurous, Crystal Coast Ghost offers ghost tours with proceeds benefiting the association. swansborohistoricsite.org

Onslow has a rich maritime history. Otway Burns, a privateer in the War of 1812, built the first steamboat in Onslow County in 1818. The “Prometheus” plied the waters of the Cape Fear River, between Wilmington and Smithville. Its most notable run may have been in 1819, when it ferried President James Monroe from Wilmington to Smithville as part of his Southern tour.

Swansboro is home to the oldest standing structure in Onslow County, the Olde Brick Store. Originally built in early 1838, the store was once used as a naval merchant front, a church and a post office. Today it is home to a boutique. Visitor tip: Make like a local and strike a pose! The Olde Brick Store is a favorite backdrop for snapping a pic. Photographers regularly use the building for photo shoots of all varieties. Read more here.

The historic train depot is part of the Old Mill historic district. The district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, as it is the largest concentration of least-altered historic buildings in the county seat. This gorgeously renovated area once was the railroad and lumber hub of Jacksonville, North Carolina. The train depot transported troops to Camp Lejeune during its early years and today provides a stunning backdrop for many of Jacksonville’s events, like the Onslow Oktoberfest.

African American Heritage Trail

Step back in time while walking Onslow County’s African American Heritage Trail. This fascinating path honors communities and various locations throughout the county that have a significant meaning. Visit African American grave sites, old school houses and churches. On the trail, you’ll find Ocean City. This area was the only oceanfront property that African Americans were able to purchase; lots sold for $500. Today it is home to the Ocean City Jazz Festival, which is going into its 10th year. www.OnlyInOnslow.com

Along the trail, gain insight into area attractions. For instance, Dr. William Sharpe donated Hammocks Beach State Park to the Black Teachers Association in 1950. Dr. Sharpe began visiting Onslow County in 1914. He became close friends with John Hurst, a local African-American hunting and fishing guide. Dr. Sharpe respected Hurst and gave him full responsibility as a property manager at the beach, not pleasing to some of the locals at the time. So, the doctor offered a $5,000 reward for the arrest of anyone who threatened the Hammocks or any of its employees. Hammocks Beach State Park was used for a segregated beach resort until 1961. Today, the park is continually growing and expanding its borders. Jones and Huggins Island are also part of the Hammocks Beach State Park system, boasting a rich Civil War history. www.NCParks.gov

Also on the trail is the Onslow County Museum. The County Museum prides itself on preserving African-American stories through research and recordings as part of its ongoing mission. An audio-history project is underway to create voice recordings of the memories of local African-American citizens. The museum also features other fascinating aspects of the county’s history and has a special room for children’s activities relating to Onslow’s history. www.OnslowCountyNC.gov

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Koinonia Farms

Before the Civil Rights and Supreme Court action changed race relations in the United States, Americus and the state of Georgia operated as a separate but equal society. Rev. Clarence Jordan fought that edict by establishing Koinonia Farms just outside Americus. The name is Greek for commune or community, mentioned in the Bible as a place for Christians to share their resources in unity. Blacks and whites lived and worked the farm since its inception in 1942, and suffered violence because of their stances on non-violence and equality, including supporting and housing Civil Rights members. One of Koinonia’s members, Mallard Fuller, went on to establish Habitat for Humanity International.

Today, visitors may tour the farm, join members for lunch or purchase items in their gift shop. Koinonia is known for its pecans, chocolates and dessert breads and cakes. 

Sumter County Courthouse

Civil Rights protests occurred in Americus from 1961 to 1965, organized by the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and NAACP to demand equal voter registration and integrated education. The movement was largely comprised of preteen and teenage students.

In December 1961, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was arrested in nearby Albany but held in the Sumter County Jail. The courthouse and jail have been rebuilt since the 1960s but a historical marker and the door to King’s cell are on display in front of the new courthouse at 500 West Lamar Street in Americus.  

Civil Rights Museum

At the turn of the 20th century, African American residents of Americus were not allowed in the local hospital. A “Colored Hospital” was built in 1923 to not only serve them, but train African American doctors. The building is currently being restored to become the Americus-Sumter County Civil Rights and Cultural Center. There will be historic photographs, original hospital beds and equipment, and it will serve as a place for community events.

The Victorian Gothic Campbell Chapel A.M.E. Church next door, designed by L.H. Persley, Georgia’s first registered African American architect, is scheduled for renovations and renewed operations as well. 

Eastview Cemetery

The Rev. Pearly Brown, otherwise known as Blind Pearly Brown, spent most of his life in Americus performing gospel blues, spirituals and country on a bottleneck slide guitar. The self-taught artist and minister was one of the first African American performers at the Grand Ole Opry. Brown is buried at Eastview Cemetery along with local honored African American residents, such as Elbert Head, a prominent business owner so well liked that 2,000 people came to his funeral.

Amphitheatre

As a tribute to Georgia Music Hall of Famer Rev. Pearly Brown, the city’s largest community park will open in his name. The park, when finished soon, will include a 35,000-square-foot amphitheater—one of the largest in the region—a dog park, a children’s playground and open space. Fundraising is ongoing to complete the project through One Sumter Economic Foundation.

Habitat for Humanity and Café Campesino

Giving back is a creed in Americus, where two organizations work to make the world a better place. 

You might know of Habitat for Humanity through the volunteer work of former President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, but the organization grew out of Koinonia Farm where members Millard and Linda Fuller learned of “partnership housing,” working side by side with new homeowners to build affordable homes for no profit. A missionary trip to Africa heightened the Fullers’ resolve and they turned their dream into a worldwide venture.

The business idea for Café Campesino, a coffee company created for “human connections, conscious consumption and extraordinary coffee,” came about in 1998 after cofounder Bill Harris Jr. met a coffee farmer in Guatemala during a Habitat for Humanity trip. Cafe Campesino, Georgia’s first and only 100 percent fair trade organic coffee company, will soon offer tours, and a café is scheduled to open next to the roastery.

Sumter County National Parks

Two national parks exist within Sumter County, one the deadliest ground of the Civil War and the other a tribute to the 39th commander in chief, President Jimmy Carter. 

Andersonville National Historic Site once served as a stockade to hold Union Army prisoners during the Civil War. Camp Sumter, as it was called, was built to hold 10,000 prisoners yet at one time it contained 32,000 men. Nearly 13,000 men died here and most are buried in the Andersonville National Cemetery on site. In addition, Andersonville offers the National Prisoner of War Museum to honor all U.S. prisoners of war.

In nearby Plains, the Jimmy Carter National Historical Park offers several sites to learn about the President from Georgia. The former Plains High School serves as a museum and visitor’s center, the Plains Train Depot showcases Carter’s life and political career and outside of town visitors may walk through Carter’s boyhood home and farm. For a bit of history and railroad fun, the historic SAM Shortline Train departs from Cordele and Americus for a ride to Plains.

Stay

The best way to enjoy Americus and the surrounding region is to make a basecamp at the historic and dramatically beautiful Windsor Hotel. This 1892 five-story Victorian masterpiece rises above downtown Americus like a castle, complete with towers containing specialty suites such as the Carter Presidential Suite. The recently renovated hotel features 53 guest rooms, a three-tier atrium lobby, marble floors and crystal chandeliers and historic photos of Americus lining the walls. Dining experiences range from Southern elegance at Rosemary & Thyme Restaurant to pub fare on the veranda at Floyd’s Pub. It’s no wonder this architectural gem attracted the famous, such as President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

The post Discover African American History in Americus, Georgia appeared first on Travel Media Press Room.

ALBANY, GEORGIA—FEBRUARY 2024— Albany, Georgia, located about an hour off I-10 and only 30 minutes from I-75, is an inspiring location when it comes to things to do in Georgia that honor the Civil Rights Movement as well as the ordinary and extraordinary Black Americans who played their part. It’s an ideal stop-over on the way to/from Savannah, Charleston or Florida, with urban amenities. As the cultural center of Southwest Georgia, Albany also supports a symphonic orchestra, live theater and ballet company in addition to an impressive museum of art, the Flint RiverQuarium and great dining. With so many things to do in Georgia, take a few days to explore, experience and learn more about Black History in the first city where residents launched a campaign to eliminate community-wide segregation, the Albany Movement.

Start at the Riverfront at the historic Bridge House. Former slave turned famed engineer Horace King built the original wooden bridge that crossed the Flint River and the Bridge House that now serves as Albany’s Welcome Center, where visitors can pick up trip ideas and information. Nearby on the banks of the Flint River, have a seat on a piano key bench at the Ray Charles Plaza. The rotating, life-size bronze sculpture of one of the most influential singer-songwriters in American history sits at a baby Grand piano, while his most famous tunes–including the state’s official song, “Georgia on My Mind” play continuing concerts. It’s a fitting tribute to the legend who was born here in 1930. He supported the movement, composed protest songs, and in 1963, refused to play before segregated audiences. (916 Front Street, Albany, Georgia 31701 229-317-4760, 1-866-750-0840)

Next up, the newly opened portion of the Flint River Trail system is an exciting way for visitors to move from one site to another on the African American Heritage Trail. The expanded portion of the trail connects major landmarks around town like Radium Springs to the Flint River and historical sites in between. The newest portion of the Flint River Trail System connects Albany State University to downtown Albany making it easier for visitors and locals alike to explore the city. Stop in the Albany Welcome Center for a map and more information on the newly expanded trail.

Entering the Albany Civil Rights Institute (ACRI) visitors choose either the historic “White” or “Colored” doorways. Explore the museum’s interactive exhibits and experience the harsh realities and profound resolve that existed in Southwest Georgia under the Jim Crowe laws. The institute’s digital oral database features real-life stories of those who felt the effects of “separate but equal” and those who bravely fought against segregation in the South. A moving documentary tells the story of the Albany Movement. This is a must see on any bucket list of things to do in Georgia. (326 West Whitney Avenue, Albany, Georgia 31701)

Symbolic footsteps lead to Mount Zion Baptist Church and the Georgia Historical Society Civil Rights Trail marker in front. Here Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke to a crowd of thousands in 1961. Due to the overflow, he made the speech three different times that day between Old Mount Zion Baptist and Shiloh Baptist Church. After the final meeting, Dr. King started Albany’s famous Civil Rights March to the Trailways Bus Station. Since ACRI’s opening in 2008, visitors have learned about the long Southwest Georgia Movement that stretches back to slavery and reaches right up to today.

For more things to do in Albany, Georgia, continue to the Albany Civil Rights Movement monument, which pays tribute to all the citizens who marched, sang, were imprisoned and risked their lives for equality, and then to Charles Sherrod Park. Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) field secretaries Charles Sherrod and Cordell Reagon traveled to Albany to begin the 1961 voter registration project. Learn about Dr. Sherrod’s later journeys, his return and his leadership roles in the community over the years. He is now a professor at Albany State University, and his wife is Georgia Director of Rural Development for the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Founded by Joseph Winthrop Holley in 1903, Albany State University is just across the river. It is one of three Historic Black Universities in Georgia, and its students played a role in the Albany movement in many ways, including an attempt to integrate the former Trailways Bus Station, (now serviced by Greyhound), where visitors can continue in their footsteps imprinted in the sidewalk.

These and more details are also covered in the African American Heritage tour of Albany, which is held for groups by appointment. Call 229-317-4760 for more information.

If you go

Great flavor is part of every Albany visit, from traditional Southern restaurants to trendsetting local eateries. Peruse the listings for your own foodie finds. Albany has more than two dozen hotels, many of which include complimentary breakfast. One unique place to stay is RESORA, a cottage retreat, conference center and working farm. Here, guests can experience nature while bearing witness to Civil Rights history, social engagement, farming innovation and other healthy lifestyle activities. VisitAlbanyGA.com.

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