Civil Rights Movement Driving

On April 20, 1960, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke to a large crowd at Fisk University. He said: “I came to Nashville not to bring inspiration, but to gain inspiration from the great movement that has taken place in this community.” Dr. King was referring to the difficult but successful sit-in campaign, which resulted in the desegregation of most downtown lunch counters. The sit-ins were led by John Lewis, Diane Nash, Bernard Lafayette, Kwame “Leo” Lillard, the Rev. James Lawson, the Rev. C.T. Vivian, and many others. Dr. King was also in Nashville to offer words of solace after the racially motivated bombing of lawyer and professor Z. Alexander Looby’s home. We’ll tell you more about these events, and many more, later in the tour.

When one thinks of the Civil Rights movement, cities like Birmingham, Montgomery, Greensboro, and Selma come to mind. But Nashville served as a model for many southern cities. Why? Because African American businesses, church congregations, and students at local Historically Black Colleges and Universities worked together. Those who fought to end racial segregation endured many challenges including harassment, violence, and even jail. But they endured, and steadfastly practiced, the principles of direct, nonviolent protest. In 1964 and 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts into law.

Hello, I’m Linda Wynn, and I grew up in Nashville. I am an alumna of Pearl Senior High School, Tennessee State University, and served on the faculty at Fisk University. I will be your tour guide as we visit significant sites related to the Civil Rights movement. This tour focuses on the 1950s and 1960s, but the struggle for human rights in Nashville is as old as the city itself. We encourage you to check out our Early Black Life and Culture, Ft. Negley, Civil Rights Sit-Ins, Jefferson Street, and HBCU campus tours. We also hope this tour serves as an inspiration in the ongoing struggle for social justice.

As a reminder, you should not use your phone while driving. For each stop, you can listen from your car or get out, walk around, and enter buildings and campuses if open to the public. Directions and parking options are provided at the end of each stop. You can also take this tour virtually from your home or hotel room. And don’t forget to take pictures and tag us on social media @NashvilleSites. So, crank up your car and let’s get started!

Begin the tour at Nashville Public Library, 615 Church Street. You can park in the adjacent garage, entering from 6th or 7th Avenue, and validate your parking ticket for up to 90 minutes free parking.