Traveling Green Book Exhibit opens in Washington
Published 1:10 pm Wednesday, April 24, 2024
The North Carolina African American Heritage Commission’s Traveling Green Book Exhibit will be on display at the Turnage Theatre beginning today, April 24, and running through May 27. “The Negro Motorist Green Book,” published between 1936 and 1966, was both a travel guide and a tool of resistance designed to confront the realities of racial discrimination in the United States and beyond. From 1939-1952 Washington had two locations listed in the Negro Motorist Green Book. Dr. Jermiah and Manilus Lloyd’s Drug Store at 408 Gladden Street and the StarLight Club at 227 Gladden Street, which were located in the area known as “Little Harlem.” Both businesses would also refer motorists to other friendly locations who elected not to be listed because of financial constraints or safety concerns. The traveling exhibit features eight vibrant panels showcasing images of business owners, travelers, and historic and present-day images of North Carolina Green Book sites. The words of African American travelers and descendants of Green Book site owners are featured prominently in the exhibit.
