MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – A building that once sheltered some of the most influential voices in the Civil Rights Movement is getting a second chance. The historic Ben Moore Hotel in Montgomery’s Centennial Hill, which has stood empty for decades, is now under the protection of The Conservation Fund, in partnership with the Landsmark Foundation.
A beacon of hope and strategy
Long before its decline into a quiet brick structure with shattered windows, the Ben Moore Hotel was the vibrant heartbeat of Montgomery’s Black business community. During segregation, it was one of the few places African Americans could find safety, rest, and community. It was a crucial stop listed in the Green Book, offering refuge to travelers.
The hotel served as a hidden nerve center for the Civil Rights Movement, housing key figures like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Rev. Ralph Abernathy. It became a hub for ministers, activists, and community leaders to organize, exchange ideas, and build vital networks. Musical icons such as B.B. King, Ruth Brown, and Little Richard also found a haven within its walls.
Nelson Malden, owner of Malden Brothers Barber Shop at the Ben Moore Hotel, recalls, “At the Ben Moore Hotel you had any and everybody who lived there – B.B. King, Ruth Brown, Little Richard. We had quite a few civil rights activists come too.”
Preserving an irreplaceable legacy
Today, though mostly silent, the hotel is far from forgotten. The Conservation Fund, through its Legacy Places Initiative, recognized its profound cultural and historical significance. Phillip Howard, Manager of the Legacy Places Initiative for The Conservation Fund, stated, “Once a beacon for the Centennial Hill neighborhood and a refuge for travelers listed in the Green Book, the Ben Moore Hotel welcomed Civil Rights leaders and musical icons alike. Though time has worn down its walls, its story remains powerful. By protecting this historic site, we’re helping ensure that the courage and creativity it once inspired continue to shape Montgomery’s future.”
A future unfolding
The protection and restoration of the Ben Moore Hotel are seen as a powerful catalyst for economic revitalization in Centennial Hill, while honoring the stories that shaped the nation. Mayor Steven Reed of the City of Montgomery emphasized, “The protection of the Ben Moore Hotel is significant for the city not just because of the history it represents, but because of the growth and revitalization opportunities it provides for Montgomery and all of central Alabama.”…