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Lowndes Interpretive Center: A Civil Rights Landmark

Explore Lowndes County's pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement at this immersive center along the historic Selma to Montgomery Trail.

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The Lowndes Interpretive Center, part of the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail, commemorates the pivotal role of Lowndes County in the Civil Rights Movement. Through exhibits and historical accounts, visitors explore the struggles and triumphs of the 1965 Voting Rights March and the challenges faced by African Americans in their fight for equality.

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

  • Admission is free, making it an accessible and educational experience for all.
  • Combine your visit with other sites along the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail for a comprehensive experience.
  • The center is closed on Sundays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.
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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 Transportation

    West Alabama Public Transportation (WAPT) provides transportation services in Lowndes County, offering a minimal fee or free of charge with an Alabama Medicaid Travel Voucher. Contact WAPT in Lowndes County at (334) 548-6364 to schedule transportation. Greyhound Bus Lines also provides shuttle service in the area; contact WAPT for the Greyhound Shuttle schedule. Uber and Lyft are also available in Hayneville. Actual costs may vary.

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Discover more about Lowndes Interpretive Center

The Lowndes Interpretive Center, located in Hayneville, Alabama, stands as a powerful reminder of Lowndes County's significant, and often overlooked, role in the Civil Rights Movement. As part of the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail, this National Park Service facility offers an immersive journey into the events that shaped the fight for voting rights in the United States. Opened in August 2006, the center is dedicated to commemorating the people, events, and route of the 1965 Selma to Montgomery Voting Rights March. Lowndes County, despite having a majority-Black population, was a stronghold of white supremacy at the time. Discriminatory practices prevented Black citizens from exercising their right to vote. The marchers faced immense hostility and violence in the county, making it a critical battleground in the fight for equality. The exhibits within the Lowndes Interpretive Center vividly portray the events that unfolded during the Selma to Montgomery March. Interactive displays, historical photographs, and compelling narratives bring to life the stories of the marchers, local activists, and ordinary citizens who risked their lives to challenge the status quo. Visitors can explore exhibits detailing the establishment of "Tent City," a temporary dwelling for families displaced by white landowners. The center also explores other significant events that occurred in Lowndes County during the Civil Rights Movement, including the confrontation of Jonathan Daniels, a white seminarian who was murdered for his efforts to support the movement, and the slaying of Viola Liuzzo, who assisted the marchers. The center is more than just a museum; it is a place of reflection, remembrance, and education.

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