Take a look at where Toyota brought me to celebrate Black History Month; places in Atlanta where history was made by those who made history!
I went on a three-hour bus tour around Atlanta, visiting famous landmarks, businesses, and people who made Atlanta the hub of the Civil Rights movement. After the tour concluded, our group had dinner at Paschal's Restaurant. (Eating at the restaurant is not part of the Civil Rights Tour)
It was a pleasure meeting our tour guide Tom Houck, the aide to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He served as his driver and personal assistant. It's exciting that tour guests get first-hand knowledge about the movement from someone who was there during that time.
The tour starts at the graves of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King. Then guests ride comfortably in a video-equipped bus touring locations that include:
- Atlanta Student Movement Rush Memorial Church
- Graves at South View Cemetery of Daddy King and John Wesley Dobbs
- Dr. King's home at the time of his assassination
- Ebenezer Baptist Church and Old 4th Ward, where Dr. King grew up
- Paschal's Restaurant, where in the front dining room, the morning politicos helped elect Atlanta's first black mayor, Maynard Jackson
- Ralph Abernathy's West Hunter Street Church
- Mural of John Lewis on Auburn Avenue
- Auburn Avenue office where MLK, Abernathy, Andrew Young, and Hosea Williams made decisions that changed the world
- Mayor Maynard Jackson's grave in Oakland Cemetery
- Statue of Dr. King on the grounds of the Georgia State Capital
After the tour, you leave with a wealth of knowledge, with Tom sharing personal insights into what he has been through during that time. There were so many things I didn't even know. It was a fun, engaging, educational experience immersing myself in historic Black history. And Tom sneaks in some humor that will have you chuckling.
Plus, we sang freedom songs between stops with the Freedom singer Eartha Sims. Besides being the Freedom singer on Civil Rights Tours Atlanta, Eartha sings in the choir at Ebenezer Baptist Church. She also stars on Sundays at the historic Pal's Lounge on Auburn, singing R&B and Jazz tunes.
Next time you're in Atlanta, book your next Civil Rights Tour.
And if you go, make sure to wear comfortable clothes and shoes since you hop on and off the bus at different locations. Also, the bus does not have a restroom, so use the bathroom at The King Center before getting on the bus.
Arrive early to enjoy the King Center museum, which has free admission.
The King Center
449 Auburn Ave NE
Atlanta , GA 30312
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I might take this tour one day. Always fun to learn about the historic sites in ATL.
ReplyDeleteYes, definitely take this tour! It's also great for family reunions as well.
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