The F.W. Woolworth Co. Building, the site of a pivotal sit-in that energized the Civil Rights Movement, has officially been designated a National Historic Landmark by the National Service.
The Sit In At Woolworth’s
On Feb. 1, 1960, Jibreel Khazan (formerly Ezell Blair Jr.), Joseph McNeil, Franklin McCain Sr., and David Richmond—known as the A&T Four—broke racial barriers by sitting at the Woolworth’s whites-only lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina. Their nonviolent protest quickly garnered attention and support, inspiring local college and high school students to join their cause. This act of courage not only catalyzed similar demonstrations across the country but also played a crucial role in including public accommodations as a protected category in the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
“Their sit-in inspired thousands of people to demand equal treatment in shops, restaurants, and other public places,” said the National Park Service in a statement. The sit-ins took on a new dimension as they fueled momentum for nonviolent direct-action protests, ultimately leading to the formation of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee. This organization challenged the established leadership of older civil rights groups, such as the NAACP and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, positioning younger generations at the forefront of social change.
A Long Time Coming
In the years since their brave demonstration, the former Woolworth’s has been transformed into the International Civil Rights Center & Museum, established in 2010 by Sit-In Movement Inc. The museum preserves a portion of the original lunch counter, a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggles for equality. Efforts to secure National Historic Landmark status began in earnest after the lunch counter closed in 1993 but faced delays until scholars from the Georgia State University World Heritage Initiative identified the site as a crucial part of a potential UNESCO World Heritage nomination.
N.C. A&T State University plans to honor the legacy of the A&T Four with a special event titled “Perseverance: The Power of an Ageless Evolution” on Jan. 31, 2025, marking the 65th anniversary of their historic protest. The celebration will begin with breakfast and guest speakers at the Alumni-Foundation Event Center, culminating in a wreath-laying ceremony at the February One monument. The program will also feature the prestigious N.C. A&T Human Rights Medal awarded in honor of the A&T Four, highlighting their enduring influence on the fight for civil rights.
