The Green Book of South Carolina
A Travel Guide to African American Cultural Sites
South Carolina is a state of incredible African American history: from the lunch counter in Rock Hill where the Friendship Nine began their "Jail, No Bail" protests, to the site where the freedom song "We Shall Overcome" was first sung; our nation’s very first school for the formerly enslaved, to a monument to the Middle Passage championed by Toni Morrison. Visitors and residents alike will find the Palmetto State rich in remarkable places that played a part in some of our nation’s most significant moments. The Green Book of South Carolina, compiled by the WeGOJA Foundation (on behalf of the SC African American Heritage Commission), is a first-of-its-kind travel guide to the most tourist-friendly destinations offering visitors avenues to discover intriguing African American history as they travel the state.
Organized by region and illustrated with more than 80 color photographs by Joshua Parks, this guidebook presents a curated selection of over 200 museums, monuments, historic markers, schools, churches, and other public lands. Features a foreword by Dr. Darlene Clark Hine, Distinguished Professor Emerita at Michigan State University where she served as the John A. Hannah Distinguished Professor of History. The South Carolina Green Book is a collaborative release by Hub City Press, the WeGOJA Foundation, and the International African American Museum. Sponsored by the City of Spartanburg.
FEATURES
- More than 180 historic markers, structures, and landmarks for a diverse audience
- Includes popular sites as well as hidden gems
- Organized by region for easy travel planning and discovery. Includes suggested day trips for each region.
- Compact accessibly-priced book
- Beautiful full-color photography
Photographer, documentarian, and community organizer, Joshua Parks, is the Digital Programs and Community Engagement Specialist at the International African American Museum. Though Joshua was raised in Jacksonville, Florida, his family history is deeply rooted in the Lowcountry, where he is a direct descendant of Sol Legare Island, a historic Gullah-Geechee sea island community. He is a graduate of Howard University and is completing his Masters degree in History at the College of Charleston. Trained as a public historian at the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture, he specializes in social, political, and cultural histories of the African Diaspora.
The WeGOJA Foundation (formerly the South Carolina African American Heritage Foundation) works to document and promote African American heritage sites in South Carolina. Supporting state historical markers, listings on the National Register of Historic Places, teacher’s guides and the Green Book of South Carolina, WeGOJA collaborates with civic, government and business leaders to Preserve Our Places in History.
