Seeking Civil Rights

City of Fredericksburg, Virginia

Photographed by Dawn Bowen, June 2, 2007

1. Seeking Civil Rights Marker

Inscription. On July 2, 1960, minority citizens of Fredericksburg began a protest to effect social and political change through direct action. A larger Civil Rights Movement had begun in earnest following the 1954 U.S. Supreme Court decision that struck down as unconstitutional the concept of “separate but equal.” It rapidly spread through much of the South in the form of bus boycotts, freedom riders, and protest marches.

Fredericksburg’s sit-ins occurred at W.T. Grant’s (directly across the street), at F.W. Woolworth’s (across the street to your left front), and at Peoples Service Drug Store (to your right). By late August, the affected businesses relented and integrated their lunch counters.

The local protests were one of many steps taken nation-wide to awaken the conscience of a nation whose creed, espoused in 1776, proclaimed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.”

Erected by City of Fredericksburg.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights. A significant historical date for this entry is July 2, 1960.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 18.225′ N, 77° 27.572′

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W. Marker was in Fredericksburg, Virginia. It was at the intersection of William Street (Virginia Route 3) and William Street and Caroline Street, on the right when traveling east on William Street. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Fredericksburg VA 22401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in the Washington Metropolitan Area

and in Northern Virginia.

It was also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within walking distance of this location: A Moment in Time: Circa 1925 (a few steps from this marker); Inalienable Rights (a few steps from this marker); Civil Rights (a few steps from this marker); Constitutional Crisis (a few steps from this marker); Mercantile Warehouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Lewis Randolph Ball (within shouting distance of this marker); Center of Eighteenth Century Urban Life (within shouting distance of this marker); Market Square (within shouting distance of this marker); The Second Town Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Emancipation Proclamation Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fredericksburg.

Other markers no longer nearby. Stating Inalienable Rights (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Weedon’s Tavern (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed); First Town Hall / Market House (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced

Seeking Civil Rights Marker on Caroline & William Streets image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dawn Bowen, September 4, 2008

2. Seeking Civil Rights Marker on Caroline & William Streets

with another marker now near it); Second Town Hall / Market House (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named The Market Square (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been replaced by the linked marker.

Additional keywords. Desegregate, desegregation of public accommodations

This is the former W.T. Grant's store, site of one of the sit-ins. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dawn Bowen, June 4, 2007

3. This is the former W.T. Grant's store, site of one of the sit-ins.

This is the former Woolworth's store, site of one of the lunch counter sit-ins. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dawn Bowen, June 4, 2007

4. This is the former Woolworth's store, site of one of the lunch counter sit-ins.

Woolworth's Counter, 1960 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, April 3, 2011

5. Woolworth's Counter, 1960

During the Summer of 1960, local students staged this sit-in at the segregated lunch counter at F.W. Woolworth's. "We did not merely sit in to open counters to us. We helped to change attitudes, which in turn opened new opportunities and doors to us. We gained the courage to test the legality of many injustices... (Gladys Poles Todd)."Close-up of photo on marker

If God is For Us,<br>Who Can Be Against Us? image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, April 3, 2011

6. If God is For Us,
Who Can Be Against Us?

Jerine Mercer piketing in front of W.T. Grants.
View is looking south, down Caroline Street.Close-up of photo on marker

<u>My</u> Stomach May Be Empty<br>But What About <u>Your</u> Heart image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, April 3, 2011

7. My Stomach May Be Empty
But What About Your Heart

Gaye Todd protesting the segregated lunch counter at W.T. Grant's View is looking east, down William Street.Close-up of photo on marker

Woolworth's in the 60s image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, March 12, 2012

8. Woolworth's in the 60s

From an enlarged postcard displayed in R&R Antiques the current occupant of the former Woolworth Building.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 2, 2007, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,715 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 2, 2007, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on September 4, 2008, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. 3, 4. submitted on June 4, 2007, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on July 27, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.