2016 Conference

[Lincoln Wonk]

Laurie and everyone at the Surratt Society,
Thanks for another great conference.
Again, I learned so much, not just from the speakers, but at the meals and in the hallways.

[Jim Garrett]

(04-12-2016 06:37 PM)lisarenea Wrote:  I also had a wonderful time! Thank you for another great year. The presentations were wonderful but the best part is all the great conversations and connections. Can't wait for next year!

The conference is like an old club that readily accepts new members. The only membership requirement is some interest in the 16th President and/or the crime of the centuries. Often, it is our only opportunity to get together with cherished friends. Rich Smyth and Tom Bogar were among those we greatly missed.

[BettyO]

I totally agree!

It was so wonderful to put faces to names and to meet with old friends. As Dave Taylor put it, it was great fun to "hang out with the 'cool kids!'" HA!

A wonderful learning experience - and yes, Tom Bogar, Rick Smyth as well as our own "Joe Boothbuff" and others were greatly missed - maybe next year.

Again, Kate and Paige - we're very proud of you! Keep up the wonderful work that Messrs. Hall, Brennan, Gaddy, Tidwell and Keesler set for us (now) seniors to put down as the groundwork for you to follow.....

Kathy - LOVE your new avatar....!

[Thomas Kearney]

Kudos to all the Society staff and speakers for putting on a great show!

[Lincoln Wonk]

Question about motels during segregation

Laurie or whoever might know:
Someone said on one of the tours it was mentioned that motels in the South were once named to tip off guests which race they welcomed, and hotels with colors in the names, like the Red Palace or the Blue Moon Motel, welcomed people of color. Is that really true?
You learn a lot on Surratt Society tours.

[L Verge]

(04-13-2016 04:08 PM)Lincoln Wonk Wrote:  Question about motels during segregation

Laurie or whoever might know:
Someone said on one of the tours it was mentioned that motels in the South were once named to tip off guests which race they welcomed, and hotels with colors in the names, like the Red Palace or the Blue Moon Motel, welcomed people of color. Is that really true?
You learn a lot on Surratt Society tours.

I am the one who said that during my narration of the tour through Charles County. I cannot attest to it being a universal "symbol" throughout the South, but Charles County, Maryland, had a heavy concentration of motels due to the slot machines that controlled the economy in that county until the early 1960s.

I was told at an early age that looking for a color in the name of the motel was the clue as to whether white or colored travelers should register. It would be an interesting topic to pursue -- and certainly more gentile than "Whites Only" signs.

[Lincoln Wonk]

(04-13-2016 06:57 PM)L Verge Wrote:  

(04-13-2016 04:08 PM)Lincoln Wonk Wrote:  Question about motels during segregation

Laurie or whoever might know:
Someone said on one of the tours it was mentioned that motels in the South were once named to tip off guests which race they welcomed, and hotels with colors in the names, like the Red Palace or the Blue Moon Motel, welcomed people of color. Is that really true?
You learn a lot on Surratt Society tours.

I am the one who said that during my narration of the tour through Charles County. I cannot attest to it being a universal "symbol" throughout the South, but Charles County, Maryland, had a heavy concentration of motels due to the slot machines that controlled the economy in that county until the early 1960s.

Laurie,

I was told at an early age that looking for a color in the name of the motel was the clue as to whether white or colored travelers should register. It would be an interesting topic to pursue -- and certainly more gentile than "Whites Only" signs.

Laurie, Do you remember if any color meant it was for non-whites, or just certain colors in the name? Kathy

[L Verge]

I don't remember that. In fact, the only name that jumps quickly in my mind is the Blue Bird Motel on Route 301 because that's where I learned the color story (if it is really true).

[Lincoln Wonk]

(04-14-2016 12:43 PM)L Verge Wrote:  I don't remember that. In fact, the only name that jumps quickly in my mind is the Blue Bird Motel on Route 301 because that's where I learned the color story (if it is really true).

That's a fascinating idea. A code that only certain people can decipher although its plastered across the front of buildings.

[Linda Anderson]

(04-14-2016 05:30 PM)Lincoln Wonk Wrote:  

(04-14-2016 12:43 PM)L Verge Wrote:  I don't remember that. In fact, the only name that jumps quickly in my mind is the Blue Bird Motel on Route 301 because that's where I learned the color story (if it is really true).

That's a fascinating idea. A code that only certain people can decipher although its plastered across the front of buildings.

I did a little research and found some information on the The Negro Motorist Green Book. From Wikipedia: "The Negro Motorist Green Book (at times styled The Negro Motorist Green-Book or titled The Negro Travelers' Green Book) was an annual guidebook for African-American roadtrippers, commonly referred to simply as the Green Book. It was originated and published by New York City mailman Victor H. Green in the United States from 1936 to 1966, during the Jim Crow era, when open and often legally prescribed discrimination against non-whites was widespread. Although pervasive racial discrimination and black poverty limited ownership of cars among African Americans, the emerging black middle class became car owners. In response, Green expanded the coverage in his book from the New York area to much of North America, also founding a travel agency."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Negro_...Green_Book

Here's a link to the Spring 1956 edition of the Green Book. Washington DC accommodations are on p. 15 and Maryland's are on p. 27.

http://library.sc.edu/digital/collection...nbook.html

http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/02/24/green.b...k.history/