The Scottsboro Boys Museum: A Civil Rights landmark in Alabama—how you can visit

A powerful chapter of American civil rights history is being brought to life in Scottsboro.

The Scottsboro Boys Museum is located in downtown Scottsboro and offers an educational experience shedding light on one of the most pivotal legal cases of the 20th century.

Here’s what you need to know:

• What: The Scottsboro Boys Museum
• Where: 428 W Willow St, Scottsboro, AL 35768
• Hours: Wed-Fri | 10AM-3PM & Sat | 10AM-4PM (or by appointment)
• More info: Website

The museum tells the story of nine Black teenagers who were falsely accused of assaulting two white women on a train in 1931.

History of The Scottsboro Boys case

On March 25, 1931, two dozen people were “hoboing” on trains between Chattanooga and Memphis, Tennessee.

A group of white teenagers tried to push Haywood Patterson off the train, which resulted fight. Eventually, the police came and nine young men were pulled from a train and arrested for a crime they didn’t commit in Paint Rock, Alabama.

While the boys were in jail, two young white women were also taken to the jail, where they accused the African American boys of sexual assault.

The trials were marked by all-white juries, rushed proceedings, and no legal counsel during the initial hearings. All but 13-year-old Roy Wright were convicted of sexual assault and sentenced to death.

Despite multiple retrials and national attention, the last surviving Scottsboro Boy wasn’t officially pardoned until 2013, more than 80 years after their arrest.

The Scottsboro Boys Museum, set up in a former African American church, pays tribute to the young men and their lawyers, activists, and journalists who supported them.

The exhibit uses original photographs, documents, and displays to guide visitors through the timeline of events. 

How you can visit

The Scottsboro Boys Museum is open to the public throughout the week, on weekends and by appointment. Schools, historians, and curious travelers are welcome to explore this important part of Alabama’s history.

Admission Prices:

• Adults: $10
• Seniors: $6
• Students: $6

Whether you’re a history enthusiast or someone simply wanting to understand more about the roots of civil rights advocacy in the South, the Scottsboro Boys Museum provides a powerful and essential look at a story that changed the course of justice in America.

Don’t miss your chance to walk through history and learn about the legacy of the Scottsboro Boys.

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