Baton Rouge Black History Trail
Expiration: 365 days after purchase
Baton Rouge is the beautiful, diverse city is it today because of its deep roots in Black history and culture. Home to many leaders, artists, authors, filmmakers, chefs, inventors, and more, the city tells a story of a difficult pas to a powerful present from the African American community. Today, exploring Black history in Baton Rouge reveals not only a legacy of struggle against oppression, but also one of creativity, achievement, and enduring contributions to the Capital City's heritage.
Whether you have an afternoon or a weekend, create your own journey through Baton Rouge's rich Black history and vibrant culture.
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See locations on an interactive map.
In 1953, a peaceful bus boycott was organized to bring awareness to the racial disparities and scrutiny that African Americans faced on a daily basis. Activists proposed the right for them to be able to sit at the front of buses just like their white counterparts. To respond to the segregated bus system, African Americans refused to ride any buses and instead drove to work, caught rides or walked. The boycott resulted in the city council reducing the number of whites-only seats. The Baton Rouge Boycott served as the first large boycott of the south that gained nationwide attention. It sparked a national conversation that resulted in other notable protests that will go down in the history of the civil rights movement.
The marker is located on River Road between the Old State Capitol and the Louisiana Art and Science Museum.
A.Z Young Park honors the first, and longest march at 105 miles, in the Civil Rights Movement. Led by Civil Rights Activist A.Z. Young, the Bogalusa to Baton Rouge march was referred to as the "105-mile gauntlet", and ended at the steps of Louisiana's State Capitol.
The Baton Rouge African American Museum was founded in 2001 by the late Sadie Roberts-Joseph, a pillar in the local Black community. She founded the museum to expand knowledge of African American history through engaging exhibits and community engagement. It's recommended to call the museum to schedule a visitation at (225) 244-9474.
On March 28, 1960, seven Southern University students staged a sit-in at the all-white lunch counter and refused to leave when told to do so. Their actions spoke loudly, inspiring further peaceful protests around the city.
This marker is located on Third and Main Street.
Located in downtown Baton Rouge, the Capitol Park Museum offers an immersive journey through Louisiana's rich history and vibrant culture. As part of the Louisiana State Museum system, it features two permanent exhibits: "Grounds for Greatness: Louisiana and the Nation" and "Experiencing Louisiana: Discovering the Soul of America." Visitors can explore diverse artifacts, including a 48-foot shrimp trawler, a sugar cane harvester, and a Civil War-era submarine, highlighting the state's agricultural, industrial, and maritime heritage. Interactive displays delve into topics such as Mardi Gras traditions, jazz music, and the contributions of various cultural groups, including Native Americans, French and Spanish colonists, and African Americans.
The Brooks Pool officially opened in 1949 and served as a popular social spot for the Black community when the only other community pool in Baton Rouge was segregated. Though the pool is gone, the park where it stood exists as a unified community for all to enjoy.
In the 1950's and '0's, the Lincoln Theatre was one of the few movie and concert halls that catered to Black residents and didn't restrict them to a segregated balcony the the back. The theater closed in the 1980's but is undergoing renovations and anticipates opening soon to welcome artists back to its stage.
Magnolia Mound is a beautifully preserved French Creole plantation house and museum located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Built circa 1791, the site offers a rare glimpse into 18th- and 19th-century plantation life, featuring original and reconstructed outbuildings. Spanning 16 acres shaded by ancient oaks, Magnolia Mound hosts educational programs, cultural events, and guided tours that explore the complex history of French Creole culture and the lives of both the landowners and the enslaved individuals who lived and worked there. The museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Serving as a place of worship since 1958, this historic church was a meeting spot for the nation's first Civil Rights bus boycott in 1953. It has hosted Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., as well as other state and national dignitaries and leaders.
Southern University was founded in 1880 to expand educational access for African American students in Louisiana. Over the years, it has grown to include world-class programs and become the nation's largest Historically Black College & University system in the U.S. Located on campus, the SU Museum of Art houses an impressive collection of artworks, sculptures, and artifacts created by African American artists and other artists of African descent.