★ Celebrate Greensboro art. Culture. Entertainment. By Tara TiTcomBe A movement that inspired the nation The International Civil Rights Center & Museum must-see vital piece of history stands and the following with more in the center of downtown Greensboro, than 300. By the end of that March, similar protests were welcoming and educating all who visit. taking place in more than The International Civil Rights Center 55 cities and 13 states. The & Museum tells the story of the non- non-violent sit-in movement was born, and the nation would tre violent civil rights movement that be- never be the same. A the gan 51 years ago in its very location. Today the International A rolin Civil Rights Center & A Museum, housed in the former the c M F AOn February 1, 1960, four African-American Woolworth store in downtown Greensboro, freshmen from Greensboro’s N.C. A&T State celebrates that moment in history and University sat down at the F.W. Woolworth remains devoted to the global struggle for enter & Museu c store’s “whites only” civil and human rights. ights r Visit, ExplorE , Learn lunch counter and The two-floor, 43,000-square-foot ivil c For more information on Greensboro’s ordered coffee. They museum opened on February 1, 2010 — l A International Civil Rights Center & were denied service, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the tion A Museum, stop by 134 South Elm St., call nd (right) Andy Ferrell/courtesy o 336 . 274.9199 or 800.748 .7 116, or check ignored, then asked to sit-ins. The grand opening featured an A ntern i out sitinmovement.org. Admission: ness leave. They remained emotional ribbon-cutting ceremony attended A Adults, $10; students and seniors (65+), $8; the seated until the store by co-founders Melvin “Skip” Alston, chair- F children (6 –12), $6; under 6, free. closed. The next day man of the Guilford County Commissioners, they returned with 25 and Earl Jones, then North Carolina State others, the following Representative. After hearing plans to demol- photos by (top)photos by Alex M day with more than 60, ish the building to make a parking lot, the two photos courtesy o • 66 • • 67 • ★ Celebrate Greensboro art. Culture. Entertainment. Yvonne Johnson, former Greensboro mayor, reads to children during Saturday Children’s Story Hour. created Sit-In Movement Inc., a nonprofit Movement dedicated to buying and renovating the Momentum Woolworth building. “By August 1961, Today the museum features signature more than 70,000 exhibits depicting the struggle for civil rights, people had partici- Naming Rights pated in sit-ins, as well as a state-of-the-art auditorium, which resulted in archival center, traveling exhibits gallery, February One Place, the more than 3,000 street just south of the and a children’s education and activity center. International Civil Rights arrests. Sit-ins at Its centerpiece is the original lunch counter Center & Museum, was ‘whites only’ lunch named in commemoration counters inspired and stools where Joseph McNeil, Franklin of the day of the first subsequent kneel- McCain, Ezell Blair, Jr., and David Rich- Greensboro sit-in. ins at segregated churches, sleep-ins mond, referred to alternatively as the “A&T at segregated motel Four” or the “Greensboro Four,” began their lobbies, swim-ins protest. Jail bars frame the wall of the Jail, No M the exploration of civil and human rights even a small number of people can change the at segregated pools, wade-ins Permanent museum exhibits transport Bail! Exhibit, featuring 1,200 mug shots of issues. world. On July 26, 1960, not even six months at segregated visitors to a time when segregation permeated protestors who were arrested across the The center publishes a monthly roster after the first Greensboro sit-in, the F.W. enter & Museu beaches, read-ins society. Guests see a filmed re-enactment of South. The Wall of Remembrance pays c of “Educational and Public Programs” for Woolworth counter was desegregated. at segregated the planning session between the four young respect to dozens of men, women, and ights the entire community. The programs libraries, play-ins r at segregated parks, men on the night before the historic sit-in. children who lost their lives in the battle for ivil encourage dialogue on contemporary issues c l and watch-ins at Exhibits also include a reproduction of the civil rights. A and explore how people of all ages and segregated movie irston tion Ha theaters.” facade Greensboro Rail Depot that served as Not only does the International Civil A backgrounds can effect social change. A tis The Museum underscores o F a portal to the “Jim Crow” South; life-size Rights Center & Museum serve as a memo- ntern weekly Children’s Storytelling and Reading [Source: i sitinmovement.org] images depicting the differences between rial to all of the brave men and women who the Hour invites community leaders and activists F how even a small number black and white school rooms; an interactive took a stand during that time, but it also looks ourtesy o to connect with children over inspirational c t) voter experience with ballot boxes, poll tax to the future. The museum’s main objective is F stories and books. of people can change receipts, and an electronic version of to engage visitors and residents in conversa- Most importantly, the International Civil Alabama’s literacy test. tion and to serve as an educational center for nd (top le Rights Center & Museum underscores how the world. photos courtesy o A • 68 • • 69 •.