HISTORY TRAIL BLACK
Explore the challenges and hardships faced by African Americans that have shaped the history and culture of our city.
BATON ROUGE
HISTORY & MUSEUMS OUR STORIES
Some of the most important catalysts in the civil rights movement took place right here in Baton Rouge. From our nation’s very first bus boycott to the historic Bogalusa Civil Rights March to the State Capitol, visit the sites and walk the steps that others took before us that played inspiring roles in defining equality here and across the U.S.
Step back in time and tour a full exhibit inside an authentic bus from 1953 that held the first civil rights bus boycott — right here in Baton Rouge. The cotton-filled garden gives you a glimpse into the past of some of civil rights’ biggest figures. Hear the stories of the people of color who made an impact here that was felt around the world.
Lincoln Theater
During the civil rights movement, Lincoln Theater was one of the only theaters that allowed Black people, becoming a cultural sanctuary for people of color.
Capitol Park Museum
Exhibits at Capitol Park Museum cover everything from slave markets and Jim Crow laws to resistance and revolt, giving a glimpse into the unimaginable plight of people of color in the South.
Webb’s Barber Shop
This barbershop is an icon in Baton Rouge, having anchored the Black-owned business community with more than a century of cuts and a number of famous faces sharing the chair.
City-Brooks Community Park
Baton Rouge Gallery is now found at the heart of this park inside of the oncesegregated City Park Pool House. The pool house was closed in 1963 following civil rights activists' efforts at the Baton Rouge Swim-In.
LSU Rural Life Museum
One of the “World’s Top 10 Outdoor Museums,” this interactive museum gives a true-to-life view that focuses on the ways of life of the working classes during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Baton Rouge African American Museum
Images Courtesy of the East Baton Rouge Parish Library
TELLING
Southern University
What began as a dream more than 136 years ago, now serves as a living legacy of determination, commitment and success. The Southern University and A&M College system is the only historically Black university system in the U.S. and the largest HBCU in the country. This storied university is famous in both the past and present, from playing a vital role in the civil rights movement to bringing the house down with The Human Jukebox every Saturday in the fall.
Magnolia Mound
Built in 1791 and known as the oldest house in Baton Rouge, Magnolia Mound is a nationally accredited museum and education center that tells the story of its French Creole history as a sugar plantation with its own community of enslaved residents.
1953 Bus Boycott
Markers at North Boulevard & St. Philips and the McKinley High School Alumni Center on Thomas H. Delpit Drive, denote these sites as part of the original bus boycotts. These historic sites served as the blueprint and catalyst for other bus boycotts around the country.
U.S. & Louisiana Civil Rights Trail Stops
View the markers at:
// A.Z. Young - In 1967 a group of activists marched 105 miles from Bogalusa, demanding to be heard at the steps of the Louisiana State Capitol.
// Brooks Park Pool - The first safe Black swimming pool, organized by Rev. W.K. Brooks and the United Negro Recreation Association.
// Kress Building - On March 28, 1960, seven Southern University students staged a sit-in at the all-white lunch counter and refused to leave when told. Their actions spoke loudly, inspiring further peaceful protests around the city.
// Southern Student Sit-ins - In response to the expulsion of 16 students that staged sitins around town, more than 1,000 students marched from campus to the Capitol.
// Mt. Zion First Baptist Church - The meeting spot for the nation’s first civil rights bus boycott, planned and led by Rev. T.J. Jemison.
// Louisiana's Old State CapitolThe Baton Rouge meeting site of the famous Freedom Riders, a group that rode interstate buses into the segregated Southern United States to challenge the lack of enforcement on the ruling to desegregate buses.
SEE THE
CITY
WHOLE
Images Courtesy of the East Baton Rouge Parish Library
FOOD THE SOUL NOURISHING
Blending the best of Creole and soul, Baton Rouge’s food scene is the result of a cultural melting pot unlike anywhere else in the world with influences from seven different nations that once settled in what is now Baton Rouge. The soulful scents around the city originate from the recipes and ingredients created by African slaves in the South, now recognized as true American classics. From local staples serving up timeless favorites to new concepts with chefs trained around the world, our city is home to Black-owned restaurants that bring it all to the table.
This local gem originally started as neighborhood potluck dinners and has transformed into a lively local favorite food and music joint in the heart of the Garden District.
This rooftop bar has delicious food and drinks in the heart of downtown Baton Rouge.
As Baton Rouge’s oldest restaurant, the Delpit family has been serving up deliciously crispy fried chicken since 1935.
Just off Southern’s campus, this coffee shop was the first in the country to offer a functional podcast studio for visitors to record, mix and master their own shows.
This new favorite serves delicious Detroit-style pies right around the corner from Southern University's campus.
Authentic and incredible Caribbean cuisine is waiting right near LSU's campus.
Taste truly fresh, flavorful Louisiana cuisine, or immerse yourself completely with a cooking class all courtesy of culinary extraordinaire
HUNGRY FOR MORE?
Southern Cofe Zeeland Street Market Light House Bar & Pizzeria The Main Lobby The Bullfish Bar + Kitchen Chicken Shack Chef Celeste Bistro@SouthernCofé on Instagram
Chef Celeste Gill. Image Courtesy
of
MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT
THE CITY
This city is the home of swamp blues, with some of the most storied African American legends getting their start right here in Baton Rouge. They’ve contributed to a music scene unlike any other and paved the way for Baton Rouge to become known for its contribution to Blues music across the world.
Teddy
up one
the area’s hottest music spots in his childhood home, shining the light on local talent year-round.
This old record store is now a museum with one of the largest vinyl collections in Louisiana, featuring past and present artists that got their start right here in Baton Rouge.
KEEP IT ROCKIN'
EXPERIENCE
Teddy’s Juke Joint
opened
of
Henry Turner Jr. Listening Room
A true Louisiana juke joint, this iconic stage gives new, original musicians a chance to showcase their talents.
13 Social Drop in for an evening full of delicious drinks and incredible conversation at this downtown dive bar.
Pedal Pub Hop on and join Baton Rouge's baron-the-go party.
Buddy Stewart Memorial Rhythm Museum & Rock Shop
Geaux Ride
See the sights all around Baton Rouge with a Geaux Ride bike tour.
ART OUR PAST RETELLING
Creativity is a big part of Baton Rouge’s history and culture. Experience some of the most influential art around the city, both inspired and created by Black artists and icons.
Murals by The Walls Project
The Walls Project partners with local artists, painting vibrant and inspirational murals in underserved and underinvested communities across the city in an effort to be a catalyst for change and a point of pride.
Southern University Museum of Art
Located on Southern’s campus, this museum and its collection of four galleries are dedicated to African American pioneer artists who fought and won the battle for artistic freedom.
Legendary Louisiana sculptor Frank Hayden was inspired to create by friends and family, his Christian values, and commitment to civil rights. You can find his work all across downtown Baton Rouge.
This monument is one of the only abstract art pieces in the country that honors Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his impact on civil rights, which we still feel today.
Downtown MLK Monument
Frank Hayden
SEE THE FULL PICTURE
EVENTS & FESTIVALS BLACK HISTORY CELEBRATING
In Baton Rouge, celebration is always in season. From festivals and food to historical observances, join our city in celebrating the influence and importance of African American culture all year-round.
Baton Rouge Blues Fest
Started in 1981, the Baton Rouge Blues Festival has become one of the nation’s fastest growing festivals of its kind, with tens of thousands in attendance every year.
Black History Month
From the nation's very first bus boycott to Southern students marching to the State Capitol, celebrate Black History Month with iconic moments in civil rights history across Baton Rouge.
Krewe of Oshun
Parade & Festival
This celebration brings Mardi Gras to North Baton Rouge with the first parade organized by an African American organization since Zulu started in the 1930s.
Black Restaurant Week
Celebrate the Black influence on the food we love and support Black-owned small businesses around the city.
Southern Football Season
Whether it’s The Human Jukebox, tailgate food or football itself, rep your blue & gold regardless of what brings you to town and cheer on the Jaguars all football season long.
Baton Rouge
Soul Food Festival
Two jam-packed days filled with good music, good company, and some of the best soul food in the South.
Juneteenth
A weekend of celebration ranging from lively parades to impactful discussions, as we come together to commemorate the official end of slavery in America.
Scotland Saturdays
A lively market in North Baton Rouge that gives local makers and creators a place to sell their goods and locals a chance to gather together and experience the arts in community.
Essence Fest
Just down the road in New Orleans, Essence Fest is the largest African American music and culture festival in the country that welcomes travelers from across the world to celebrate Black excellence and culture.
ON!
PARTY
CONTINUE TO EXPLORE
