Montgomery, Alabama - Day 2

The weather had changed and it was now raining in Montgomery. My $5 ticket to the Legacy Museum also allowed me entrance to The National Monument For Peace and Justice.

The National Monument for Peace and Justice

The National Monument for Peace and Justice, located in Montgomery, is a memorial dedicated to the victims of racial lynching in the United States. It was established to acknowledge the legacy of enslaved black people and the terror of lynching. The memorial features over 800 monuments that honor the victims and serves as a symbol of hope for a better future. The monument also serves as an educational center to raise awareness about racial inequality and to provide a space for reflection and contemplation. The National Monument for Peace and Justice is a powerful reminder of the past and a call to action to work towards a more just and equitable society.

This was a very powerful and moving experience. The monument speaks for itself.

Entrance - The History

Documented Hanging By County

FOR THE HANGED AND BEATEN.
FOR THE SHOT, DROWNED, AND BURNED.
FOR THE TORTURED, TORMENTED, AND TERRORIZED.
WE WILL REMEMBER.
WITH HOPE BECAUSE HOPELESSNESS IS THE ENEMY OF JUSTICE.
WITH COURAGE, BECAUSE PEACE REQUIRES BRAVERY.
WITH PERSISTENCE, BECAUSE JUSTICE IS A CONSTANT STRUGGLE.
WITH FAITH, BECAUSE WE WILL OVERCOME.

The Grounds

A portion of the grounds showed coffins of victims from different counties. An area was dedicated to the woman that stood up to busing segregation. Another section covered in detail some of the many events that led to violence towards people, often by mobs. Knowing the the person could not have done what they were accused of, law enforcement often turned their back.

The Mothers Of Gynecology Park

The Mothers of Gynecology Park in Montgomery, is dedicated to honoring and acknowledging the legacy of black women in gynecology. The park was inspired by the recognition of the mistreatment and exploitation of black women as subjects of medical experimentation and research, particularly by Dr. J. Marion Sims, who is considered the father of modern gynecology.

Sims performed gynecological surgeries on enslaved black women without anesthesia or their consent in the mid-19th century in order to develop surgical techniques for white women.

The car in the park symbolizes the mobile clinics that were used to perform exams and procedures on black women during the mid-20th century.

The park features three bronze statues, each depicting a different black woman who was subject to Sims' experimentation. The car in the park symbolizes the mobile clinics that were used to perform exams and procedures on black women during the mid-20th century. I was given a video device to tour the park and it provide a lot of details on the symbols used with the sculptures.

The park was created by Anita Mitchell an artist, in collaboration with the non-profit organization, Legacy Museum of African American History. She’s an artist and sculptorist known for creating works that commemorate and celebrate the lives of marginalized communities and individuals. I was told that she had to learn how to weld recently to create the statues.

The park is a part of Mitchell's larger body of work that seeks to raise awareness about the often-overlooked contributions of black women to American society and to challenge traditional narratives about black history. The bronze statues in the park, depicting black women who were subject to medical experimentation, are examples of Mitchell's commitment to creating powerful and impactful art that addresses important social and historical issues.

The Mothers of Gynecology Park serves as a symbol of hope, remembrance and acknowledgement of the important role that black women have played in the field of gynecology, and their lasting impact on the lives of women everywhere, and to raise awareness of the history of medical experimentation on black women and its implications.

Oldest Brick Dwelling

The Fight Pickett House is the oldest brick dwelling in the city and a historic landmark. It was built in the 1850s and is an example of antebellum architecture. The house was named after its original owner, Fight Pickett, who was a wealthy merchant and planter. The two-story brick home features a spacious porch, large rooms with high ceilings, and intricate details such as decorative moldings and fireplaces. The Fight Pickett House is a significant example of the prosperity and opulence of the South during the antebellum period, and provides a glimpse into the lives of the city's affluent citizens at that time. Today, the house serves as a museum and is open to the public for tours, providing visitors with the opportunity to learn about the city's history and cultural heritage.

The First Confederate White House

The First Confederate White House in Montgomery, is a historic building that served as the first official Executive Residence of the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War. The house was built in the 1850s and was used by Confederate President Jefferson Davis and his family as their official residence.

The building features a classic Greek Revival-style architecture with a columned portico, a spacious interior, and elegant furnishings. During its time as the Confederate White House, the building played a key role in the political and administrative affairs of the Confederacy. After the war, the house was used for various purposes, including as a boarding house, and underwent several renovations over the years. Today, the First Confederate White House serves as a museum, showcasing the history of the Confederacy and its leaders, and providing visitors with a glimpse into the lifestyle of the antebellum South.

Dinner

It was still raining and I knew I would be difficult to cook in the rain. I found the Dreamland BBQ, a restaurant that I had eaten at the last time I was here in 2017. I sat at the bar and ordered a large salad with chicken and a beer. I was surprised that they had a wide selection of stouts.

Street Lights

After dinner, I roamed the streets and took photographs of the lights and reflections in the water. I tried playing with moving the camera while photographing lights on the street.

More

There is so much more to see in Montgomery and I decided to move north before the heavy rains hit.