Historic Marker Erected to Honor Franklin’s Green Book Entry

Historic Marker Erected to Honor Franklin’s Green Book Entry

Public Dedication of Historic Green Book Home

Saturday February 15th, 10 a.m. there will be a dedication of the historic marker erected to recognize Franklin’s contribution to the famed Green Book published 1936-1967 during the height of the Jim Crow south. The dedication ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday rain or shine. The Negro Motorist Green Book was a “must have” travel guide which promised “vacation without aggravation” and covered the United States listing African American friendly restaurants, hotels, boarding houses and services. The book was published by a New York City mailman Victor Hugo Green who later founded a travel agency.

History of Gaylor Home

After seeing the 2019 Oscar award winning movie, “Green Book”, local preservationist Pam Lewis was alerted to the fact that Franklin had its own boarding house once listed in the Green book and now owned by Shorter Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church. After meeting with colleague African American heritage Society (AAHS) president Alma McLemore and Shorter Chapel pastor Dr. Kenneth Hill, proof of the 253 Natchez Street former guest house (Gaylor Home) was verified by AAHS board member Paulette Johnson who in fact owned a copy of the book. Historians Thelma Battle and Rick Warwick worked together on the marker language with Lewis sponsoring its production. As with so many worthwhile projects, this whole process truly “took a village”.

The Green Book Movie and Ties to Historic Franklin

“The movie brought public attention to the fact that there were thousands of ‘sundown towns’ where African Americans could not spend the night — Franklin was one of those towns. This house stands as a memorial and tribute for African American freedom to a bygone era when racial segregation was the order of the day.” said Pastor Hill.

Alma McLemore added, “This is another important historical time for African Americans. We would like to thank Pam Lewis and PLA Media for sponsoring the funding and installation of this marker. It represents a time and place in history that we never want to repeat but must preserve and include in the fabric of Franklin.”

Lewis enthused, “It is my hope that we will continue to preserve recognizing and respecting the unique history of the Natchez, Hard Bargain communities especially in view of persistent growth pressures, gentrification and inadequate diversified housing options. It has been an honor and labor of love to be involved in recognizing this simple stone home with safely sheltered countless travelers.”