International Civil Rights Center & Museum – Explore the history of the American Civil Rights Movement

An Update on Museum Operations & Tour Opportunities

If ever there was a time since the 1960s, when the lessons of that earlier civil rights struggle for the redemption of this nation's soul were most relevant, it is today. As a pivotal site of that struggle, of course, the landmark F.W. Woolworth's here in Greensboro is a testament to the potential success of well-planned and persistent non-violent direction on behalf of social justice reform.

In the months since the International Civil Rights Center & Museum has been required to close access to visitors because of the on-going public health crisis, a small group of full-time staff members has worked to complete projects re-casting the Museum's operations so that we can continue to educate the public about what we call "American's Best Story." That is to say, the narrative of the Civil Rights Movement, along with the ideas and strategy that inspired it.

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Beginning on September 5th and 7th, the Museum will debut two versions of our new on-line Filmed Tour, "The Battlegrounds of the Struggle for Civil Rights," based on our widely acclaimed Permanent Exhibit. These are provided by two of our most accomplished senior interpreters, and they will serve as the first phase of a series of different formats that will be offered by the Museum, on-line and on-site, when we resume full operations.

The Museum will also inaugurate the first of its "South Elm Street Windows" exhibits — "The 1963 March on Washington, D.C., for Jobs and Freedom" — which can be viewed along the front of the building.

Members of the public who are interested in experiencing the non-interactive tours on-line should go to the Museum's website, www.sitinmovement.org, and schedule a timed showing of one of these Filmed Tours. The price will be $10 per person watching. We will respect our online guests by expecting them to be "on the honor system," recognizing that the non-profit Museum sustains itself primarily on the basis of income from its operations. In addition, we will offer a limited number of pre-scheduled, on-site guided tours over the Labor Day weekend at particular times. Interested groups of 12 or fewer should make arrangements for $25 per person in advance by calling the Museum at 336-274-9199. For visitors who arrive unscheduled for a staff-guided tour, we will try to accommodate them by adding them to an existing tour of up to 12 persons.

It is important to note that, even though "museums" are allowed to be open by the Governor's order, the Civil Rights Museum is not one where patrons simply come in and walk around. We offer a substantive and dynamic educational experience for our visitors and that requires a talented staff of professional educators.

As an organization dedicated to civil rights, the Museum has a civic duty to conduct its operations in accord with the health and safety of members of this community, as well as our visitors and staff. We will do all that we can to hold to the highest standards in this respect. All guests will be required to use hand sanitizer upon entering the building and they will need to wear a mask over mouth and nose at all times.