Alabama Historical Commission (Freedom Rides Museum)

The Freedom Rides Museum operated by the Alabama Historical Commission will fabricate and install a new exhibition to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the Freedom Rides in 2021. Located in the historic Montgomery Greyhound Bus Station, the Freedom Rides Museum tells the story of the nonviolent student Freedom Riders who were attacked in 1961 by a mob as they peacefully protested segregation in interstate travel. The exhibition will feature interactive components and self-guided galleries, information on the nonviolent training received by the Freedom Riders, and a 1960s era Greyhound bus. The development of the exhibition plan, funded by the National Park Service, engaged a wide variety of partners including the Freedom Riders, civil rights historians, activists, educators, practitioners, and community leaders. The museum will employ both formative and summative evaluation methodologies to improve and refine the exhibition during its development and to measure project outcomes.