Alabama museum unveils restored Greyhound bus for Freedom Rides’ 60th anniversary

The Alabama Historical Commission on Tuesday officially unveiled a restored Greyhound bus as part of a 60th anniversary exhibit commemorating the 1961 Freedom Rides protesting the segregation of bus terminals. 

The commission unveiled the bus, which was in service at the time of the protests, during a ceremony at its Freedom Rides Museum in Montgomery, Ala., on Tuesday to mark the date the first group of Freedom Riders left on a bus from Washington, D.C., to New Orleans.

Among the first 13 riders was young civil rights leader John Lewis, who went on to represent Georgia for decades in the U.S. House. 

In a Friday press release announcing the ceremony, the historical commission’s chairman, Eddie Griffith, said, “As we celebrate the arrival of the restored Greyhound Bus and its symbolic representation of the courage of the Freedom Riders, we also commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the Rides and their impact on equal rights for all Americans.” 

Among those in attendance at the unveiling ceremony Tuesday were Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Ala.) and Bernard Lafayette Jr., one of the Freedom Riders who was attacked by a white mob on the morning of May 20, 1961, as they left Montgomery for Jackson, Miss.

The Alabama Historical Commission just unveiled a restored Greyhound bus that would have been in service in 1961. The commemoration kicks off celebrations for the 60th anniversary of the Freedom Rides. pic.twitter.com/d13hI8mqEe

— Janae Pierre (@missjanaepierre) May 4, 2021

Montgomery Freedom Rides Museum gets period Greyhound bus on 60th anniversary of Freedom Rides @MGMAdvertiser #FreedomRides #freedomriders

Photo gallery here: https://t.co/StPvswxZfJ pic.twitter.com/htcdKSVgoE

— Mickey Welsh  (@mickeywelsh) May 4, 2021

The rides, which continued for several months, turned into a national movement of Black and white civil rights activists and eventually pushed the Interstate Commerce Commission to ban segregation at interstate transportation terminals. 

Alabama’s historical commission said that the restored bus, which now includes artifacts and a soundscape exhibit that plays music and firsthand accounts from the Freedom Rides, will become a permanent part of the Montgomery museum, which is housed in the Greyhound bus station where the Freedom Riders arrived. 

Lisa Jones, the historical commission’s executive director and the state historic preservation officer, said in a statement, “The Freedom Rides Museum is an integral part of this important story.” 

“History happened here,” she added. “Preserving this place helps bring to life a critical part of the civil rights story, and the role Montgomery and the state of Alabama played in it.”

Elected officials took to Twitter on Tuesday to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the start of the Freedom Rides, including Vice President Harris, who wrote that it was a moment to “honor” the protesters’ “courage and moral conviction in the face of violence, hate, and racism.” 

Freedom Riders across the country, including John Lewis, stood up to segregation 60 years ago. Today, we honor their courage and moral conviction in the face of violence, hate, and racism. And we’re reminded that the actions of a few can ensure a better future for all.

— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) May 4, 2021

Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock (D) also commended the actions of the riders, including Lewis, who the senator wrote was a parishioner at the church where he served as pastor. 

“Today, let’s remember their commitment to equality as we work to honor their sacrifices in our public policy,” Warnock added.

60 years ago, 13 Freedom Riders—including my parishioner John Lewis—started on a historic bus ride to challenge the segregated South, but were attacked along the way.

Today, let’s remember their commitment to equality as we work to honor their sacrifices in our public policy.

— Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (@SenatorWarnock) May 4, 2021