• U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Foundation Document Overview Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail

Contact Information For more information about the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail Foundation Document, contact: [email protected] or 334-877-1984 or write to: Superintendent, Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail, 7002 US Highway 80, P.O. Box 595, Hayneville, Alabama 36040 Park Description

The Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail, in In many respects, the cultural landscape associated with , was established by Congress in 1996 the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail along to commemorate the routes, people, places, and events the US Highway 80 corridor continues to reflect patterns significantly linked to the Selma voting rights movement of agrarian land use that existed from the time of the 1965 and the three voting rights marches that took place in 1965. Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches. Despite The Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail is a some changes and development pressures, features that component of the National Trails System and is administered contribute to this landscape (e.g., row crop fields, pastures, by the National Park Service. woodlots) remain largely intact, enhancing the Trail’s historic setting, feeling, and cultural associations. The 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches are recognized as a pivotal event among the campaigns for Several surviving historic buildings, structures, and sites human rights in the United States. The voting rights marches are intimately associated with the national historic trail include the first march that resulted in “Bloody Sunday” including the Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church in Selma (the (March 7, 1965), the second march that is also known as starting point for the voting rights marches and designated “Turnaround Tuesday” (March 9, 1965), and the final Selma a national historic landmark in 1982); the First Baptist to Montgomery voting rights march (March 21– 25, 1965). Church (Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee Occurring at the height of the modern civil rights movement headquarters during the Selma voting rights movement); that gained momentum in the 1950s, the marches and the the which includes the “Bloody critical events associated with them brought voting rights Sunday” confrontation site (designated a national historic issues to the forefront of the national political agenda. landmark in 2013); the Dallas County Court House (the Bolstered by the landmark Civil Rights Act of the previous destination for the majority of the marches during the year, the voting rights marches and the Voting Rights Act Selma voting rights movement); “Tent City” in White Hall; that the marches engendered profoundly raised Americans’ four camp sites along the march route (notably the City of consciousness about the struggle of for Saint Jude, a Catholic social services complex that was the equal rights. site of the last encampment and the “Stars for Freedom” The 54-mile-long national historic trail begins at the Brown rally); the Alabama State Capitol; and the Dexter Avenue Chapel African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church in King Memorial Baptist Church in Montgomery (staging Selma and then follows the 1965 historic routes of the Selma area for the concluding rally). to Montgomery voting rights marches through the city and Today, the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail eastward along US Highway 80 through Dallas County and stands as an enduring testament to the long struggle and Lowndes County. Crossing into Montgomery County, the sacrifices made by many individuals to preserve the right to Trail continues into the city of Montgomery and ends at the vote as a fundamental cornerstone of American democracy. Alabama State Capitol. Zion’s Chapel Methodist Church 14 Jimmie Lee Jackson Memorial Perry County Courthouse Marion 14

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Montgomery 21 Selma MONTGOMER Y 1st Avenue LOWNDES North 0 1 2 3 4 5 Kilometers Selma to Montgomery Selma Hayneville National Historic Trail 0 1 2 3 4 5 Miles Old Lowndes County Jail Lowndes County Courthouse

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v Brown Chapel t e A a n c e Homes l e e ss W n C Exit 1 u i o n t n k AM.M.E. Church e r B a l ( Union Street v u H A F s i S a M r h n d o y r I-65 exits, o L 85 e a i l t Court Street L a a n v i Day Street exit c b n M u d g a exit r C n y d t Clark L h S o erson Davis e S u Jeff S t n u r Elementary t t t d r h r e r r c e U e a e h e School e e l r n e t t L i t K k o a i i a n a n n p n a m l O P m e 1 g s S k S e l r 9 , e t a J t r P 6 r t y e u a 5 S S e s s am ) t t t la b r S r l Site of attack on a e e a l t D A e e Public Safety r Rev. James Reeb t e t e Building 65 t Park Contact Sullivan Old Depot Station Building Museum Dallas County er Court House at W National Voting Rights Edmund Pettus Museum and Institute Bridge Live Oak Cemetery City of Campsite 4 E R Saint V BUS City of Saint Jude I 80 Jude R March 24 North A Memorial 0 0.1 0.5 Kilometer Park iew Exit 170 M Fairv Fairview Avenue A 0 0.1 0.5 Mile B A Turnaround L A Bloody Sunday Tuesday confrontation site prayer site March 7, 1965 March 9, 1965 Voting Rights March March 21–25, 1965 Purpose Significance

Significance statements express why Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail resources and values are important enough to merit national park unit designation. Statements of significance describe why an area is important within a global, national, regional, and systemwide context. These statements are linked to the purpose of the park unit, and are supported by data, research, and consensus. Significance statements describe the distinctive nature of the park and inform management decisions, focusing efforts on preserving and protecting the most important resources and values of the park unit.

• Media coverage of the violent confrontation between law enforcement officers and members of the civil rights movement on March 7, 1965, now known as “Bloody Sunday,” followed by the minister’s march on March 9, also called “Turnaround Tuesday,” and the final Selma to Montgomery voting rights march on March 21–25, 1965, brought the issue of voting rights to the forefront of national consciousness and through nonviolent protest won broad support for the cause of civil rights in America.

The Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail commemorates the events of the Selma voting rights movement, the people, the places, and the routes of the Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches of 1965. Through partnerships and collaboration, the Trail interprets and preserves the important stories of the Selma voting rights movement, inspiring all citizens to be vigilant in protecting their constitutional rights. Significance

• Undaunted by the events of “Bloody Sunday” and protected • Although the civil rights movement was nonviolent, many by a federal court order issued on March 17, 1965, as well suffered from the violent opposition to change and some as the US Army and members of the National Guard, were even murdered as a result of the struggle to affirm courageous citizens, local leaders, and civil rights groups the right to vote. These deaths galvanized broad support participated in the final Selma to Montgomery voting rights before, during, and after the marches of the Selma voting march affirming the constitutional rights to peacefully rights movement in Alabama, and are commemorated protest afforded to all Americans. along the Trail today.

• The results of the Selma voting rights movement and Selma • Following the passage of the Voting Rights Act, to Montgomery voting rights marches were an important exercising the hard-fought right to cast a ballot often had catalyst in the passage of the Voting Rights Act on August 6, consequences and hardships for African Americans. In 1965, which reinforced and protected the legal right to vote Lowndes County many tenant farmers were evicted for for qualified Americans, changing political life in the United exercising their right to vote leading to the creation of a States and throughout the South, especially in Alabama’s tent city—temporary housing, where families lived and black belt. struggled together for more than two years.

• Covering 54 miles through Dallas, Lowndes, and • As one of the most pivotal civil rights protests in American Montgomery Counties in Alabama, the Selma to history, the Selma voting rights movement in Alabama Montgomery National Historic Trail works through that resulted in the Selma to Montgomery voting rights partnerships to protect the many places and landscapes that marches not only changed the nation but served as both provide opportunities for reflecting on and connecting to a model and inspiration for other nonviolent movements the events of the Selma voting rights movement. throughout the world. Fundamental Resources and Values

Fundamental resources and values are those features, Partnerships and Collaboration with Trail Partners and systems, processes, experiences, stories, scenes, sounds, Local Communities smells, or other attributes determined to merit primary Collaborating with local community members and groups in consideration during planning and management processes commemorating, raising awareness, and preserving the history because they are essential to achieving the purpose of the of the Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches is essential park and maintaining its significance. to the Trail. Through partnerships with local churches, friends Story of the Selma to Montgomery Voting Rights groups, universities, cities, counties, and the state of Alabama, Marches the rich history and important lessons of the Selma voting rights movement are shared. In particular, these partnerships The stories of the events leading to, during, and resulting make connections between those who were directly involved from the three Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches in the march and the youth of today. These partnerships are are fundamental to the national historic trail. The individuals essential to sharing the history and legacy of the march with the and groups that organized, supported, and participated American people. in these events and marches demonstrated unparalleled determination, valor, sacrifice, and hope. This grassroots Commemorating the Important Sites Associated with the campaign for human rights is considered to be a high point Selma Voting Rights Movement of the modern civil rights movement. The importance of this The many historic places and landscapes associated story is reflected in the fact that the Selma to Montgomery with the marches are essential to commemorating and National Historic Trail was established only 30 years after connecting visitors to the historic events of the three Selma to these events. This timely designation was driven by the Montgomery voting rights marches. These places of reflection national significance of the Selma voting rights movement include sites along the route of the Selma to Montgomery and by the strong voices of many of the individuals who National Historic Trail as well as other sites associated with witnessed and participated in these historic events. Those the voting rights struggle but not directly along the Trail. voices are just as powerful today, telling this important story Some of the most recognized and iconic places include: the and continuing to share its meaning with all. Edmund Pettus Bridge, US Highway 80, St. Jude Complex, Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church, Alabama State Capitol, campsites, and Viola Liuzzo Memorial. Historic sites, wayside signage, and markers provide an opportunity to interpret the very personal stories and experiences of those who participated in the Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches. Although the national historic trail does not manage or own any of these important sites, these places are essential to commemorating the events and people associated with the struggle for voting rights. Fundamental Resources and Values

Objects in the Museum Collection Oral Histories and Archives

The museum collection consists of nearly 500 The oral histories and archives are tangible links to the voices of the objects and artifacts associated with the historic Selma voting rights movement. These archives contain approximately events of the Selma voting rights movement and 100 items and largely consist of oral histories, manuscripts, and Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches. Many personal accounts from those who participated in the Selma to of these objects are remarkable because of their Montgomery voting rights marches. Media coverage, newspaper direct connection to individuals that participated in headlines, and photography were key tools used to raise national the Selma voting rights movement in Alabama, and attention and support for the Selma voting rights movement and are their direct association with the historic events of an important part of these archives. The oral histories and archives the marches. The collection is largely composed of are essential to preserving the voices of those who witnessed and personal items donated to the national historic trail by participated in these historic events and to understanding the march participants. struggle for voting rights. These resources also support interpretive programs and exhibits at interpretive centers in Selma and Between 2004 and early 2005, the National Park Lowndes County. Service purchased all objects on display in the Lowndes Interpretative Center. Objects range from Historic Site of Tent City furniture and clothing to cameras and household Portions of the historic site of Tent City in Lowndes County, items. Toys, books, a pew and a gas mask were also Alabama, are situated within the boundary of the Lowndes purchased. Additional civil rights memorabilia Interpretive Center. The site represents the political and social include a March 19, 1965, Life magazine featuring retribution that local African Americans faced as a result of the voting rights march. These objects serve as a exercising their constitutional rights protected by the passage of physical record of the history of the Selma voting the Voting Rights Act of 1965. White landowners retaliated against rights movement and support interpretive programs hundreds of tenant farmers for registering, voting, or engaging in any and exhibits at the Selma and Lowndes County civil rights activities, throwing them off the white landowners’ lands interpretive centers. Objects not on display are as they exercised their constitutional rights. Tent City was developed stored at the Tuskegee Institute National Historic to house displaced families, who lived on the site for more than two Site’s Collection Management Center. years. The site of Tent City is now used as public space with picnic tables and shelters, walking paths, interpretive displays, parking areas, and the interpretive center itself. Interpretive Themes

Interpretive themes are often described as the key stories or concepts that visitors should understand after visiting a park—they define the most important ideas or concepts communicated to visitors about a park unit. Themes are derived from, and should reflect, park purpose, significance, resources, and values. The set of interpretive themes is complete when it provides the structure necessary for park staff to develop opportunities for visitors to explore and relate to all of the park significances and fundamental resources and values.

• The events resulting in the Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches significantly influenced the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which empowered citizens previously denied the right to vote. The Voting Rights Act continues to change the political, economic, educational, and social fabric of American society.

• Although those opposing change tried to maintain the status quo through intimidation and violence, many more committed individuals, working together, fought against racism, fear, and hatred, often risking their lives and livelihoods to bring about vast change by ensuring the right to vote for present and future generations.

• The efforts of those individuals involved in the Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches are part of the long continuum within the civil and human rights struggle, a struggle that continues today.

• The historic places, cultural landscapes, and natural environments along the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail served as the backdrop for and provide a window into the social, economic, and legal systems that resulted in the Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches, images of which shaped the national reaction and response, and memory of the civil rights movement.

• Through the use of nonviolent protest during the Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches, ordinary people worked to mobilize and sustain the modern civil rights movement, one of the most recognized and well organized nonviolent protests, that continues to serve as an example for other worldwide democratic movements.