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Downtown Black History Walk in Austin

Location Austin, Texas, USA
$55
This is an experience gift voucher. The recipient will book the experience after they redeem the gift voucher.

Overview

Austin's downtown streets echo with the rich history of Black contributions that have shaped the city since its founding in 1839. This enlightening walking tour invites you to delve into the stories of resilience, community, and cultural heritage that are often overlooked.

  • 🏷️ Guided Walking Tour: Enjoy a 2-hour immersive experience led by a knowledgeable human guide, exploring the profound impact of Black history in Austin.
  • 📍 Visit the Texas African American History Memorial, where you'll learn about Texas' African heritage from colonial times to the present day.
  • 🏛️ Discover the Texas Governor's Mansion and engage in discussions about the history of slavery and the individuals who shaped Travis County.
  • 🌳 Stroll through Wooldridge Square, one of Austin's original squares, and uncover the origins of the city's Black community and their contributions post-enslavement.
  • ⚖️ Explore the Heman Marion Sweatt Travis County Court and reflect on the pivotal role of African-Americans in the Civil Rights Movement, including landmark cases like Sweatt v. Painter.
  • 🎭 Walk down Congress Avenue to the Paramount Theatre, a significant site in the desegregation movement, and learn about the demonstrations that marked this important era.
  • 🎶 Conclude your tour on Sixth Street, once the heart of African American commerce, and discuss the historical significance of the Negro District established in 1928.
  • 💼 All fees and taxes are included, ensuring a seamless experience as you uncover Austin's rich cultural tapestry.

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Downtown Black History Walk in Austin
Tour guide
Language: English
Human tour guide
Duration: 2 hours

  • All Fees and Taxes
  • Tips
  • Bottled water

Meeting point
Address: 1100 Congress Avenue (Intersection of 11th St. & Congress Ave.)
Return details
The corner of 6th Street & Brazos

  • Texas African American History Memorial
    The Texas African American History Memorial is located on the Texas State Capitol Grounds. Here we will contextualize Texas’ African history from Spanish colonial times through the present. We will set the stage for “King Cotton” and Austin’s prominence as a cotton production and manufacturing hub. The Texas Capitol building was completed in 1888. At its completion it was one of the tallest buildings in the world. However, what is often omitted from this building’s history is the large number of incarcerated Black men and women that were forced through “convict-leasing” to mine for the materials and construct the edifice.
  • Texas Governor's Mansion
    Discuss the history of slavery in Austin and Travis County at the mansion, including the construction of the building. Here we bring humanity to those who were enslaved in Travis County. We highlight some important folks in Austin's history.
  • This park/square dates back to the Waller Plan of 1839, which plotted the city. Wooldridge Square was one of the original four squares in the city. Over time, this square saw the construction of many of Austin’s first Black churches, schools and social institutions. Booker T. Washington gave a monumental speech here in 1911. Here we will discuss the origins of Austin’s Black community post-enslavement and the role African-Americans played in the development of the state and city.
  • Heman Marion Sweatt Travis County Court - This courthouse which is adjacent to Wooldridge Square provides a great window into Austin’s role in maintaining Jim Crow racial segregation in the U.S. In 1946, during Sweatt v. Painter, the State of Texas upheld racial segregationist policies, which barred African-Americans admission to The University of Texas at Austin. Thurgood Marshall argued this case in Austin. Here we will discuss the role African-Americans have played in the Civil Rights Movement at the local, state and national levels.
  • Paramount Theatre
    Walk down Congress Ave and discuss the impact of desegregation in Austin and visit the Paramount Theatre, which was a pivotal in the desegregation movement. Here we will discuss the different demonstrations such as the Swim-ins at Barton Springs, and protests on Austin's public transportation system in the 20th Century.
  • East Sixth Street
    The tour will end on Austin’s most famous street, Sixth Street. Before 6th Street was the anchor of the “Live Music Capitol of the World '' it was the hub of African American commerce. Here we will discuss what business was like for Black business people and patrons. Here we will also discuss the creation of the Negro Disctrict in 1928, which displaced Black residents from coveted downtown spaces. Blacks were displaced to east Austin.

  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
  • This experience requires good weather.
    If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
  • How it works?
    01 — You choose from 10,000+ experience gifts
    02 — We deliver the eVoucher or the Physical box to the recipient
    03 — Recipient books the experience and creates unforgettable memories!

    Downtown Black History Walk in Austin

    Location Austin, Texas, USA
    $55
    This is an experience gift voucher. The recipient will book the experience after they redeem the gift voucher.
    How it works?
    01 — You choose from 10,000+ experience gifts
    02 — We deliver the eVoucher or the Physical box to the recipient
    03 — Recipient books the experience and creates unforgettable memories!

    Delivery options

    eVoucher

    • Free
    • Instant delivery
    • Environmentally friendly

    Physical Gift Box

    • $10.00 fee
    • 2-5 business days
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