Greensboro Museum Preserves Woolworth Sit In Legacy, Boosts Local Tourism

The International Civil Rights Center and Museum stands in downtown Greensboro at 134 S. Elm Street in the former Woolworth building where four North Carolina A&T students launched the 1960 sit in movement. The museum opened on February 1, 2010, the fiftieth anniversary of the sit ins, and has since operated as a national landmark dedicated to civil and human rights history.

Visitors encounter a reproduction of the Woolworth lunch counter as a central exhibit, complemented by multimedia presentations and a Hall of Shame display that documents violence against civil rights protesters. The museum’s collections include artifacts tied to voting rights and other defining moments in the broader movement, providing tangible context for events that began in Greensboro and had nationwide impact.

Tours are available both docent led and self guided, and the museum maintains programming for schools, traveling exhibits, and public events. It also offers exhibit space and group tour options for community organizations and educational institutions. Those planning visits are advised to check the museum website, sitinmovement.org, or call ahead for current hours, ticketing, and special event information.

For Guilford County residents the museum is more than a cultural attraction. It functions as a classroom and civic resource, anchoring downtown Greensboro’s cultural corridor and drawing local, regional, and national visitors. Educational outreach aimed at schools and commemorative programming tied to movement anniversaries reinforce the museum’s role in preserving civic memory and in promoting historical literacy among new generations.

The museum’s focus on voting rights artifacts and civil rights advocacy highlights policy implications for local institutions and civic leaders. By preserving primary source material and offering structured learning opportunities, the museum supports civic engagement and informs discussions about democratic participation. Local school systems, municipal agencies, and community groups can leverage the museum’s resources to strengthen curricula and public programming related to voting, civic responsibility, and the history of protest in the United States.

As a permanent fixture in downtown Greensboro, the International Civil Rights Center and Museum contributes to tourism and local economic activity while sustaining a public forum for reflection on civil and human rights. Its continued operation underscores the importance of institutional stewardship of historical sites, and the value of integrating historical interpretation with contemporary civic education and community engagement.