Is there a guided tour Nashville offers for civil rights history?

While there are various options, this self-guided walk allows you to explore at your own pace. You can spend more time at the library archives or the Witness Walls without following a group schedule. Most major landmarks are concentrated in the Downtown and Capitol Hill areas.

What are the highlights of the Nashville Civil Rights walk?

Key highlights include the Civil Rights Room at the Public Library, the historic Woolworth building on 5th Avenue, the Witness Walls murals, and the Davidson County Courthouse steps where Mayor Ben West made his historic admission regarding segregation.

Is the Nashville Civil Rights route accessible?

Yes, the majority of the route in downtown Nashville is flat and follows standard city sidewalks. The Public Library and the Courthouse plaza are wheelchair accessible. The American Baptist College campus is also paved, though it has some slight inclines.

When is the best time to visit the Civil Rights Room at the library?

The Civil Rights Room is typically open during regular library hours, but it is best to visit on a weekday morning when it is less crowded. Note that the library is usually closed on Sundays and federal holidays.

Can I see the Woolworth lunch counter today?

The original Woolworth building still stands on 5th Avenue. While the interior has been renovated into an arts and theater venue, the exterior remains a significant historical landmark. The Public Library (Stop 1) features a symbolic replica of a lunch counter for educational purposes.

Where does the Nashville Civil Rights walk begin?

The route begins at the Nashville Public Library at 615 Church Street. This is a central location downtown, easily accessible by public transit from the WeGo Central bus station.

Is this walk suitable for families and students?

Absolutely. The route is highly educational and focuses on the role of students in the 1960s. It is an excellent way for families to engage with history in a tangible way while exploring downtown Nashville.

Civil Rights and Courage: The Sit-in Trail | Self-Guided Walking Tour

About This Guided Walking Tour

Nashville's history is often synonymous with country music, but another melody—one of justice and courage—echoes through its downtown streets. This self-guided walking route explores the pivotal moments of the Nashville sit-in movement, a campaign that became a model for nonviolent protest across the United States. As you walk these streets, you aren't just visiting landmarks; you are tracing the footsteps of young students from local colleges who challenged Jim Crow laws with quiet dignity and unwavering resolve. The journey begins at the Nashville Public Library, where a dedicated Civil Rights Room serves as a powerful introduction to the city's past. From there, the route takes you to the historic Woolworth on 5th, the actual site where students sat at lunch counters and endured harassment to demand equality. This isn't just a walking tour Nashville offers for sightseeing; it's a deep dive into the soul of the 'Athens of the South.' You'll encounter the Witness Walls, a stunning public art installation that visualizes the movement's milestones, and stand before the Davidson County Courthouse, where a massive silent march led to a historic confrontation with the mayor. The path continues to the First Baptist Church, Capitol Hill, a sanctuary that served as a headquarters for strategy and nonviolence training under the leadership of Reverend James Lawson. Finally, the route visits Griggs Hall at American Baptist College, the training ground for giants like John Lewis and Bernard Lafayette. Exploring this neighborhood stroll allows you to reflect on the bravery of those who stood up by sitting down. It is an essential experience for anyone seeking to understand the true heritage of Music City beyond the neon lights of Broadway. This walking route is designed for those who prefer to discover at their own pace, offering a poignant look at the struggle for civil rights in the heart of Tennessee.

Tour Highlights & Things to See

The Civil Rights Room at Nashville Public Library
Woolworth on 5th, site of the 1960 lunch counter sit-ins
The Witness Walls public art installation
Steps of the Davidson County Courthouse
First Baptist Church, Capitol Hill training site
Griggs Hall at American Baptist College

Route Map

Numbers indicate the order of stops on the tour.

Tour Stops & Points of Interest (6)

1

Nashville Public Library Civil Rights Room

Start your journey at the Nashville Public Library. On the second floor, you’ll find the Civil Rights Room, a space dedicated to the city’s role in the national movement. The centerpiece is a symbolic lunch counter, featuring a timeline of the 1960 sit-ins. This room serves as a quiet sanctuary for reflection and education, housing black-and-white photographs of students like Diane Nash and John Lewis. It was here that local activists developed the strategies of nonviolent resistance that would eventually spread across the South. Take a moment to sit at the counter and read the 'Ten Rules of Conduct' that the students followed—reminders of the discipline and grace required to confront systemic injustice.

2

Woolworth on 5th

Step onto 5th Avenue and stand before Woolworth on 5th. This building was one of the primary sites of the 1960 lunch counter sit-ins. In February of that year, African American students from local universities sat at the 'whites only' counter, requesting service. They were met with verbal abuse, physical intimidation, and eventually arrest, yet they never retaliated. Their persistence forced the city to confront its segregation policies. While the building has seen many uses over the decades, its architecture remains a testament to that era. Looking at the storefront today, imagine the tension of the 1960s and the incredible courage it took for a teenager to simply sit down and ask for a cup of coffee.

3

Witness Walls

Located near the Public Square, the Witness Walls are a series of concrete murals that tell the story of Nashville’s civil rights struggle through art. Created by artist Walter Hood, these walls use images from the era—protest marches, school integration, and the sit-ins—to create a permanent visual record. As you walk along the walls, you’ll see the faces of everyday citizens who joined the movement. The shadows and textures of the concrete are meant to evoke the complexity and weight of history. It’s a powerful place to see how collective action can transform a city’s landscape and its laws.

4

Davidson County Courthouse

Stand on the plaza of the Davidson County Courthouse. On April 19, 1960, after the home of civil rights attorney Z. Alexander Looby was bombed, over 3,000 people marched here in total silence. They were met on these very steps by Mayor Ben West. In a historic moment of vulnerability and honesty, student leader Diane Nash asked the mayor if he felt it was wrong to discriminate against someone based on their race. West admitted that he did. That admission was a turning point for Nashville, leading to the desegregation of downtown lunch counters just weeks later. The courthouse remains a symbol of the intersection between grassroots activism and political change.

5

First Baptist Church, Capitol Hill

This historic church served as the 'nerve center' for the Nashville movement. Under the guidance of Reverend James Lawson, students gathered in the basement here to practice nonviolence. They engaged in role-playing exercises, learning how to remain calm while being yelled at or pushed. This training was essential for the success of the sit-ins. The church provided spiritual and tactical support, serving as a safe harbor during the height of the protests. Today, the church stands as a monument to the role of faith and community organization in the fight for equality, continuing its mission of social justice from its prominent position overlooking the city.

6

Griggs Hall at American Baptist College

To reach the final stop, you'll travel slightly north of downtown to the campus of American Baptist College. Griggs Hall was the dormitory for several key figures of the movement, including the late Congressman John Lewis. The college was known as the 'Cradle of the Movement' because so many of its students were at the forefront of the protests. Standing here, you can feel the academic and spiritual energy that fueled the activists' resolve. The hall represents the intellectual foundation of the struggle, where young minds were taught that their education was a tool for liberation. It is a fitting place to conclude a walk dedicated to the power of youth and conviction.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The full walking route takes approximately 90 to 120 minutes. This includes time to explore the Civil Rights Room at the library and view the public art at the Witness Walls. The final stop at American Baptist College is about 3 miles from the courthouse, so some users prefer to drive or take a bus for that last leg.