Freedom Riders Park

We are devastated to relay the death of our Cochairman, CHARLES PERSON. An original Freedom Riders, he helped lead our efforts in establishing Freedom Riders National Monument, and more recently lead efforts establishing the Freedom Riders Training Academy. 

There will be more to follow.

RIP Charles Person.

Charles Person, Youngest of the Original Freedom Riders, Dies at 82 (Gift Article) In 1961, he and 12 other civil rights activists were nearly killed for trying to integrate interstate bus terminals across the South.

It's exciting and fulfilling to see that the efforts of our organization has launched this type of informal education. Anniston students are learning to be proud of their community.

Anniston High School students learn there's significant civil rights history in their own backyard - Alabama News Center More than 115 Anniston High School students got a history lesson in their own backyard recently when they visited the Freedom Riders National Monument and the former Greyhound bus station to learn about the racist attack on a commercial bus on Mother’s Day 1961. Both sites are now managed by the N...

Check out who's featured on the front page of the Atlanta Voice!

ALWAYS GREAT TO SEE PROGRESS!

https://www.annistonstar.com/free/changes-coming-to-the-freedom-riders-national-monument/article_131b53c2-a058-11ee-88ce-0346c48bdd1b.html

Anniston's Freedom Riders National Monument has changes coming. The monument is housed in the old Greyhound bus depot at 1031 Gurnee Avenue, from which a bus carrying Freedom Riders departed shortly before being stopped on Alabama 202 by a white mob and burned in May 1961.
The bus depot opened in 1952 and stayed open for 15 years.
Fatimah Purvis, a park ranger based in Birmingham, announced on behalf of the National Park Service on Wednesday morning that the bus depot will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Wednesday, except for the next two Wednesdays due to the holidays.
She listed several other changes, all to make the monument more accessible to students throughout northeast Alabama, tourists who follow the Freedom Riders Trail, and others.
Many of the tourists visit the monument to seek a stamp for their national parks “passport” books.
If tourists pass through Anniston on days other than Wednesdays, they may obtain the stamps by entering the vestibule at the Calhoun County Area Chamber and Visitors Center any time, day or night.
“We encourage students to visit us,” Purvis said. “For school groups of 10 or more, we ask for an advance notice of a week, but nine or less children can drop by on Wednesdays.”
In the bus depot are large exhibits with photographs and information about the history of the Freedom Riders, but changes to the depot itself are also expected. No timeline is available.
The upcoming changes include restoring the depot to its original look. During the 1950s, the facility had segregated restrooms and signage, a lunch counter that served mostly white travelers, display cases of snacks, and other furnishings.
“We are announcing two permanent park ranger positions in the upcoming weeks,” Purvis said. “We will be hiring seasonal park guides during the summer season, and we are looking for local college students.”
Those who are interested in working as a summer guide should visit the depot or call 205-679-0065. They can also email Kathryn Gardiner, who is the acting supervisory ranger based in Birmingham, at [email protected], or supervisor William Karlovetz at [email protected].
The park service is also seeking volunteers to be at the desk of the depot on Wednesdays and help with projects. Volunteers can work flexible hours, work one day a month, or work each Wednesday. To apply, visit the depot and bring a driver license.
At the site of the bus burning, the park service will be installing temporary exhibits and creating a parking space.
“Our staff are partnering with Calhoun County officials to complete these projects,” Purvis said. “There is no exact time (for completion), but soon.”
She also could not release information about the appearance of the temporary exhibits.
Patrick Gamman, the Freedom Riders superintendent, will collaborate with county officials to design and establish these temporary exhibits, according to Purvis.
Anniston’s

Changes coming to the Freedom Riders National Monument Anniston’s Freedom Riders National Monument has changes coming.