Fredericksburg, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

The Green Book

— Trail to Freedom —

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, August 12, 2021

1. The Green Book Marker

Inscription. Automobiles opened up exciting opportunities for travel, but a racially segregated nation was fraught with risk for African American motorists. In the Jim Crow era, travelers were met with intimidation and outright discrimination. Many carried their own food and had to be prepared to camp out while on the road. In 1936, Victor Green introduced a 15-page guidebook for metropolitan New York that identified businesses that would accept African American customers. Green worked as a postman in Harlem, New York. He married a woman from Richmond, Virginia and knew from visiting family that trips could be a nightmare. He expanded his travel guide each year, corresponding with fellow postal workers across the nation who knew about travel accommodations in their own communities. By the time publication ceased in 1967, the guide had more than 100 pages and included every state and international destinations.

Erected by Fredericksburg Economic Development and Tourism Office.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights. A significant historical year for this entry is 1936.

Location. 38° 17.97′ N, 77° 27.486′ W. Marker is in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Marker is at the intersection of Wolfe Street and Princess Anne

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Street (Business U.S. 17), on the right when traveling west on Wolfe Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 601 Princess Anne St, Fredericksburg VA 22401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. First Stop on 1961 Freedom Rides (a few steps from this marker); Shiloh Baptist Church (New Site) (a few steps from this marker); Freedom Riders Challenge a Nation (a few steps from this marker); A Vibrant but Segregated Community (within shouting distance of this marker); Mount Zion Baptist Church (within shouting distance of this marker); 1787 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 1854 / 1925 (about 400 feet away); c. 1816 (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fredericksburg.

Also see . . . Harlem’s Victor Hugo Green’s The Green Book. Excerpt:

In the 1930s, Green began his work by compiling data on stores in the New York area that accepted black travelers, and published his first guide in 1936. Similar guides had been published for Jewish travelers, who sometimes faced discrimination.

(Submitted on September 25, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.)

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, August 12, 2021

2. The Green Book Marker

Shiloh Baptist Church in background

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, August 12, 2021

3. The Green Book Marker

Inset photo (top left) caption: The Green Book first appeared in 1936 and remained in print through 1967. In 1962, there were two million copies in circulation.

Victor Hugo Green image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Unknown, August 23, 1958

4. Victor Hugo Green

Author of the Green Book

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 25, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 261 times since then and 33 times this year. Last updated on September 27, 2021, by Jim Cronin of York, Pennsylvania. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 25, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.