GREENSBORO, N.C. — In less than a week, WFMY News 2 turns 75. Over the course of this week, we're also recognizing some of the local businesses that also opened their doors in 1949. Today, we're talking about a hotel some may not have heard of, but it's part of history. Greensboro's Historic Magnolia House is also turning 75 in 2024.
Magnolia House got its name from the original magnolia tree that sits out in the front yard. Current owner Natalie Pass-Miller shared more about the house's history, saying, "The Gist family, which is who we bought the home from, they bought the home in 1949 with the intention to create the safe space for black travelers." During segregation, African-American travelers were not allowed to share the same accommodations as Caucasians, and many accommodations weren't considered safe due to the possibility of hate crimes. So the Gist family listed the house as a tourist home in the Greensboro city directory and Victor Green listed it in his Negro Motorist Green Book, which listed to black-owned and non-discriminatory establishments.
If the walls could truly talk, they would probably be talking about some of the famous names who stayed between their walls. Pass-Miller said, "Some of the things that, you know, it would be talking about include James Brown was playing outside here with the kids in the street, Louis Armstrong in the ballroom right across the way, cleaning his trumpet while Mama Gist is making biscuits, Annie Gist, the daughter, how Annie going swimming one day is what then led to the desegregation of public pools and public libraries here in Greensboro."
Today Magnolia House is a fully restored, structural and functional green book hotel and living museum. The hotel is open and guests can stay in the very rooms where the historic guests would stay. Pass-Miller said one thing that is truly remarkable is how it has ongoing storytelling. "You learn new and new things, you know, pretty much every single month you know, throughout the year."
The Historic Magnolia House celebrates 75 years as a green book hotel in September. Pass-Miller said, "That's 75 years of safe space and activism, and we just look forward to the community really embracing that and celebrating with us and honoring Magnolia for what it is."
Magnolia House also takes people back in time with their Shoebox Meal Education Program. It educates people on the dining experience black travelers had in the Jim Crow south. For more information on Magnolia House, visit their website by clicking here. You can also read more on the house's history as told by Preservation Greensboro.
We'll be celebrating 75 a little more this week. We're catching up with some familiar faces and celebrating other businesses turning 75. Don't miss it!
Of course, this weekend we want you to celebrate 75 years with us! Sunday, August 18th, we'll be at Triad Park from 2:00pm - 4:00pm for a party! There will be food trucks, a performance from Eric and the Chill Tones, and, of course, members of the WFMY News 2 team! We hope to see you there.