Walk through history on the Tennessee Civil Rights Trail, showcasing locations where courageous voices shaped the fight for equality. From historic churches to iconic record studios, these landmarks bring the past to life.
Memphis
Out first stop on the trail is the WDIA Radio Station in Memphis. WDIA made history in 1947 as America’s first Black-owned radio station, giving a platform to African-American voices and launching the careers of legends like B.B. King and Rufus Thomas. While the station relocated in 1985, you can still snap a photo of its original neon marquee on Union Avenue in downtown Memphis.
Buzzing with history and culture, the Beale Street Historic District has been a Black-owned business hub since the 1800s. Here, Ida B. Wells published her anti-segregationist newspaper, and musicians like W.C. Handy transformed blues music. Stop by The Withers Collection Museum to explore over 1.8 million historic images showcasing the Civil Rights era, then admire the ornate nickelodeon-style architecture of the Old Daisy Theatre, a key entertainment venue for African-Americans during the Civil Rights Movement.
Formerly known as the Second Presbyterian Church, Clayborn Temple became a vital meeting place during the Civil Rights Movement. It was here that the 1968 sanitation workers’ strike began, with marchers carrying signs that declared, “I AM A MAN.” Outside, you’ll find a sculpture in the shape of these words, engraved with the names of those who stood for justice.
Step into the past at the National Civil Rights Museum, located at the Lorraine Motel. At this immersive museum, you’ll learn about pivotal moments in Black history, from the era of slavery to the Jim Crow years and the Civil Rights Movement. One of the most powerful exhibits is Room 306, where Dr. King spent his final hours before his assassination.
One of Martin Luther King’s pivotal moments happened at the Mason Temple Church of God in Christ. On April 3, 1968, the night before his assassination, Dr. King delivered his unforgettable “Mountaintop” speech at Mason Temple. Over 3,000 people filled the church, listening as he spoke passionately in support of striking sanitation workers. Today, the church remains an active place of worship and a powerful site of reflection on his final words and enduring legacy.
Music and activism have intertwined at Stax Records, where artists like Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, and The Staple Singers recorded anthems that fueled the Civil Rights Movement. At this studio-turned-museum, explore immersive exhibits like the interior of a restored 1906 Mississippi Delta church and Isaac Hayes’ legendary gold-trimmed Cadillac. Feel the rhythm of the era as you discover how soul music became a unifying force for change.
Nashville
Your first stop in Nashville is the iconic Griggs Hall. This unassuming red-brick building was the first building on American Baptist College’s campus, a seminary for Black students. It also played a major role in training young activists – it was here that students prepared for the Nashville sit-ins of 1960, learning nonviolent resistance techniques. By appointment, you can tour this site and walk in the footsteps of those who bravely challenged segregation.
On 14th Avenue North in downtown Nashville, Clark Memorial United Methodist Church was the gathering place for several protests and meetings. In 1958, James Lawson held nonviolent protest workshops within this church – a few years later, Dr. King held the annual Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1961. Today, this active congregation serves as a beacon for social justice and faith-driven activism.
Not only is Fisk University the oldest university in Nashville, but it was also the first African-American university accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Walk the historic campus, visit the Carl Van Vechten Gallery to see an extraordinary art collection, and learn about Fisk’s legendary alumni, including Ida B. Wells-Barnett and U.S. Rep. John Lewis.
Next, climb the marble staircase at the Nashville Public Library and enter the Civil Rights Room. Black-and-white photographs document the courageous protests of the 1950s and 1960s, while a replica lunch counter invites you to reflect on the students who risked their safety to desegregate local businesses. Peek out the window, and you’ll see the intersection of Church Street and Seventh Avenue North – the site of several peaceful protests.
From gospel and jazz to hip-hop and R&B, African-American musicians have shaped the sound of America. At the National Museum of African American Music, you can explore these genres through immersive galleries, each designed around different musical eras. Dance in a 1970s disco chamber, step into a studio for a rap battle and create a custom playlist using the museum’s digital chip bracelets.
