Michigan’s State Historic Preservation Office has received a $75,000 grant to preserve recreational locations that served Black people who were legally banned from common places. The Negro Motorist Green Book, used from 1936 to 1966, guided Black travelers to safe establishments. These sites—and the vacant lots where they once stood—remind us of how recent legalized segregation was and the importance of preserving this history. This funding, announced by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and administered by the National Parks Service (NPS), is a testament to our enduring legacy and the spaces that held our laughter and our sorrows.
Michigan’s SHPO has identified around 210 such sites, each with its own story of courage and community. Gas stations where weary travelers could refuel without the specter of violence. Rooming houses offering warmth and safety away from home. Resorts where Black families could find respite and joy. “Recreational and tourism-related properties are an integral part of the African American experience in Michigan,” said State Historic Preservation Officer Ryan Schumaker in a statement. “This grant allows for a fuller understanding of that experience.”
The grant will support a thorough survey, contributing to a statewide and National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) nomination. This effort will highlight significant themes, trends, and figures in our civil rights history, guided by the national Civil Rights context and the expertise of the NPS. This project will deepen our understanding of the African American experience in Michigan, ensuring that these stories are preserved and honored.
The Green Book project is part of a larger national initiative. Eastern Michigan University, for instance, received a grant to document Civil Rights sites on Detroit’s east side. Since 2016, the NPS has awarded over $126 million to document, preserve, and recognize places and stories associated with African American civil rights. In a statement, NPS Director Chuck Sams emphasized, “By identifying and celebrating these sites, the project aims to shed light on their historical importance and the role they’ve played in Michigan’s history.”
These sites are not just bricks and mortar; they are the silent witnesses to our journey. They are the gas stations where our elders could pause, the rooming houses where they found shelter, the resorts where they tasted freedom. They remind us of a time when our people navigated the dangers of a racist society with nothing but their determination and a small, powerful guidebook.
The Green Book sites are more than historical relics; they are the markers of a journey towards freedom and dignity. In Michigan, a state woven with the threads of our history, this project is a powerful reminder of who we are and where we come from.
