Michigan Secures Grant to Document State's Historic Green Book Sites

1940 Cover of the Green BookPhoto byVictor Hugo Green, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Lansing, MI – July 10, 2024 – The Michigan State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) has secured a $75,000 grant from the Historic Preservation Fund’s African American Civil Rights History program, administered by the National Park Service (NPS). The grant aims to document and preserve properties and sites related to African American recreation and tourism across Michigan, with a focus on those listed in the Negro Motorist Green Book.

The funding will be utilized to hire a preservation consultant who will conduct a comprehensive survey of properties and sites listed in the Green Book. Published between 1936 and 1966, the Green Book was a crucial guide for African American travelers, listing hotels, restaurants, and other establishments deemed safe. The survey’s findings will contribute to a historic context study on African American recreational tourism in Michigan and support the nomination of a property for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).

"Whether it be a gas station, rooming house, or resort, recreational and tourism-related properties are an integral part of the African American experience in Michigan," said State Historic Preservation Officer Ryan Schumaker. "Receiving this grant will allow for a more complete understanding of that experience, shedding light on their historical importance and the role they've played in Michigan's history."

Preserving a Painful Part of the Past

The grant is part of a larger initiative by the NPS to document, preserve, and recognize places associated with African American civil rights struggles. Since 2016, over $126 million has been awarded through this program. Michigan’s SHPO has identified approximately 210 sites from the Green Book for research and consideration, reflecting the significant presence of these historical sites within the state.

“The Green Book project is one of 39 projects funded nationwide as part of the African American Civil Rights Grants Program,” noted NPS Director Chuck Sams. “This funding is essential in preserving the history and stories of African American communities and their fight for civil rights.”

The project will produce a Statewide Historic Context for African American Recreational Tourism, documenting significant themes, trends, periods, people, and property types relevant to the history of African American recreation in Michigan. It will provide a comprehensive historic resource survey and NRHP nomination, contributing to the broader understanding and preservation of African American history.

The Michigan/Stuckey's Connection

One popular roadside store that was common in Michigan was Stuckey's. The convectioneer was headquartered in Georgia. It had locations all over the midwest. Stuckey’s locations were listed in the Green Book, an annual travel guide that helped blacks safely travel across the U.S. during segregation. The 2018 movie of the same name showed what traveling as an African American was like at that time. Stuckey’s was a location featured in the film.

Eastern Michigan University's Efforts

In addition to this project, the grant program also supports efforts by Eastern Michigan University to document civil rights-related sites in Detroit’s east side. The combined efforts of these initiatives underscore the ongoing commitment to recognizing and preserving the histories of underrepresented communities.

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), the state’s marketing arm, announced the grant award. MEDC focuses on business development, job awareness, and community growth, aiming to bolster Michigan’s economy through various initiatives, including historic preservation.

For more information about the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office and its programs, visit MI Civil Rights Project.