Background

Lowndes Interpretive Center: A Civil Rights Landmark

Explore the pivotal role of Lowndes County in the Civil Rights Movement at this immersive interpretive center.

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The Lowndes Interpretive Center, part of the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail, commemorates the pivotal role Lowndes County played in the Civil Rights Movement. Exhibits detail the struggles and triumphs of those who fought for voting rights, including the Tent City established for families evicted for registering to vote, and honors those who were confronted or slain for assisting the marchers.

A brief summary to Lowndes Interpretive Center

  • Monday 9 am-4:30 pm
  • Tuesday 9 am-4:30 pm
  • Wednesday 9 am-4:30 pm
  • Thursday 9 am-4:30 pm
  • Friday 9 am-4:30 pm
  • Saturday 9 am-4:30 pm

Local tips

  • Combine your visit with other sites along the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail for a comprehensive experience.
  • Check the National Park Service website for possible closures and seasonal exceptions before visiting.
  • Take time to reflect on the exhibits and the sacrifices made by those who fought for civil rights.
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Getting There

  • Driving

    The Lowndes Interpretive Center is located on US Highway 80, approximately 25 miles west of Montgomery and about 50 miles east of Selma. From Montgomery, take US-80 W. The center is well-signed and easily accessible directly from the highway. Limited parking is available on-site. Be aware that US-80 is a two-lane highway in this area, so plan for potential delays due to traffic. There are no tolls on this route.

  • Public Transport

    West Alabama Public Transportation (WAPT) provides transportation services in Lowndes County. Contact WAPT at (334) 548-6364 to inquire about schedules and fares. WAPT is committed to providing transportation to the citizens of West Alabama for a minimal fee or free of charge with an Alabama Medicaid Travel Voucher.

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Discover more about Lowndes Interpretive Center

Located in Hayneville, Alabama, the Lowndes Interpretive Center stands as a powerful reminder of the Civil Rights Movement and the sacrifices made in the fight for equality. As part of the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail, the center focuses on the events that unfolded in Lowndes County during the 1965 Voting Rights March. Lowndes County, despite having a majority-Black population, was a stronghold of white supremacy at the time, with discriminatory practices preventing Black citizens from voting. The center's exhibits vividly portray the challenges faced by activists, including the establishment of "Tent City" to house families displaced by white landowners for their voting rights activities. Visitors can learn about the confrontation of Jonathan Daniels, a white seminarian murdered for supporting the movement, and the slaying of Viola Liuzzo, who assisted the marchers. The Lowndes Interpretive Center serves as an educational resource, detailing the struggles, sacrifices, and triumphs that shaped the fight for voting rights in the United States. It is a place of reflection, remembrance, and a commitment to building a better future.

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