A Legacy Lives Here
Downtown Greensboro holds an important place in the story of American history. It is where young people stood up for justice during the 1960 sit-in movement, sparking change that rippled across the country. The streets, landmarks, and gathering spaces here reflect both the struggles and triumphs of the fight for civil rights, while also preserving the everyday lives and contributions of the community. Visitors can explore museums, historic homes, and public art that honor the past and connect it to the present, offering powerful reminders of courage, resilience, and the ongoing pursuit of equality.
International Civil Rights Museum Center & Museum
134 S Elm St, Greensboro, NC 27401
Monday-Saturday: 10 am - 6 pm
Located in the former Woolworth’s building, this museum preserves the original lunch counter where four North Carolina A&T students began the 1960 sit-in movement. Exhibits share the story of their courage and the broader struggle for equality, making it one of the nation’s most important civil rights landmarks.
The Historic Magnolia House
442 Gorrell St, Greensboro, NC 27406
Once listed in The Green Book, this guesthouse provided safe lodging for Black travelers during segregation. Over the years, it welcomed legendary guests including James Brown, Ray Charles, Jackie Robinson, Ike and Tina Turner, and other icons who could not always find accommodations elsewhere in the South. Today, the Magnolia House continues to honor its legacy as both a boutique hotel and cultural hub. Visitors can experience its famous Sunday brunch, or join the lively Wednesday night Juke Joint, where music, food, and community keep the spirit of the house alive.
Greensboro History Museum
130 Summit Ave, Greensboro, NC 27401
Tuesday-Saturday: 10 am -5 pm
Sunday: 2 pm - 5pm
This Smithsonian Affiliate museum highlights the many layers of Greensboro’s past, from its founding to its role in the civil rights movement. Through artifacts, exhibits, and storytelling, it connects local history to national events and invites visitors to see how the community has evolved. Admission is always free, making it an accessible way for everyone to explore the city’s history.
Dudley Beauty
Located at 519 S Elm Street, Dudley Beauty grew out of Dudley Products, founded by Joe and Eunice Dudley in 1967 in Greensboro, NC, starting with hair care products made in their kitchen and expanding into education to empower the Black community and keep wealth local, with the university opening in 1988 to provide hands-on training for cosmetologists, eventually leading to a network of beauty schools and a global brand known for its commitment to Black entrepreneurship and beauty education.
Henry E. and Shirley T. Frye
Located at Center City Park. Henry and Shirley Frye are a trailblazing Greensboro couple whose lives helped shape North Carolina history. Henry Frye became the first African American Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court after a career devoted to advancing justice and civil rights. Shirley Frye, an educator, civic leader, and Emmy Award winner, dedicated her career to public service, education, and community advocacy. Together, the Frye's represent a powerful legacy of leadership, resilience, and service rooted in Greensboro and North Carolina A&T State University.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr
Located at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Bragg Street, this memorial honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who was meant to speak in Greensboro at Trinity AME Zion Church on April 4, 1968. Instead, he stayed in Memphis to stand with striking sanitation workers, where he was later assassinated. The metal bust depicts Dr. King looking ahead, symbolizing both the gravity of that moment and the enduring power of his vision.
Greensboro Writer: O. Henry
Series of statues located at 301 N Elm Street and 130 Summit Avenue. Writer William Sidney Porter, known to the world by the pseudonym O. Henry, was a prolific short-story writer famous for his witty tales, naturalist observations, and signature surprise endings. Tales included works such as "The Gift of the Magi" and "The Ransom of Red Chief". O. Henry was born and raised in Greensboro, NC, making the city his formative place.
Vicks VapoRub
In the 1890s, pharmacist Lunsford Richardson worked out of his Downtown Greensboro drugstore at 121 S Elm Street, where he developed the remedies that would become Vick’s products. It was here that he refined the chest salve that evolved into Vick’s VapoRub, launching a brand that would leave a lasting mark on American medicine.
9/11 Memorial Sculpture
In an effort to honor the victims, Jim Gallucci created a monument in Downtown Greensboro, located at 511 S Elm Street. The bottom is shaped like the Pentagon, and there are 50 pieces of fluttering steel with poems on the bottom from children about the attack. More than 20 tons of steel from the towers located at a scrap yard in New Jersey were brought to Greensboro. "If you want to understand history, touch history," Gallucci said on the eve of the 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.