Magnolia House Recognized on National Register of Historic Places for Green Book Significance
The National Park Service has officially added the Magnolia House in Greensboro to the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1889, the property is recognized for its historical significance as a Green Book resource. The 'Negro Motorist Green Book,' first published in 1936 by Victor Hugo Green, served as a guide for Black travelers during the Jim Crow era, providing information on safe places to eat and sleep. The Magnolia House was featured in six editions of the Green Book from the mid-1950s to 1961, offering refuge to notable figures such as Louis Armstrong, Lena Horne, and Jackie Robinson. Natalie Miller, CEO of Magnolia House, emphasized the importance of celebrating and elevating the history of Black travelers. The National Park Service's recognition also opens opportunities for over 300 other sites in North Carolina to seek similar acknowledgment.