A Landmark of Black History Protected

In the heart of Montgomery, Alabama — where so much of America’s Civil Rights story was written — stands the Ben Moore Hotel. Its brick walls once echoed with the conversations and courage of leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rev. Ralph Abernathy. For decades, it served as a hub of empowerment for a community excluded elsewhere.  

The hotel’s restaurant, barber shops, and rooftop lounge became places of dignity and connection — where ministers, artists, and activists met to organize, strategize, and dream of a more just world. Listed in The Green Book, it was also one of the few safe havens for Black travelers in Alabama, and a rare symbol of Black entrepreneurship and cultural pride during segregation. 

But like so many historic sites tied to Black history, the Ben Moore Hotel has fallen into disrepair. Without swift action, its walls — and the stories they hold — could have been lost forever. That’s why The Conservation Fund stepped in. Working with community partners and heritage organizations, we’ve secured the Ben Moore Hotel before it could be sold or lost to deterioration.