Rosa Parks Library & Museum

Well, 2 out of 2 exhibits were ‘out of order’ and so I didn’t get to see the museum like normal. But still.
I guess the bus time machine would be cool for grade school kiddos. I mean, the video was informative and all but the shaky bus was just a goofy distraction for me as an adult. And since the Rosa Parks hologram wasn’t working I cannot comment on the most critical piece of the museum: The actual part about Rosa and the boycott. Oh well.
On the other side, the room opened up but they had to turn the lights on in order to see the graphics and pictures. I basically just walked through and read the placards. Towards the back, when you walk through the larger exhibit pieces and follow the boycott timeline that’s where it gets cool. They did a good job with the last section of your visit.
Customer service was great at the front desk. But in the gift shop where you buy your tickets I felt like the lady was irritated that I bothered her with a question.

It’s hard to put together a historical museum that is focused on an event that happened before everyone was carrying a videocamera in their pockets, but the Rosa Parks Library & Museum does this beautifully.
You will go through with a tour group, and get a lot of history of what was going on with the Civil Rights Movement at that time, what Mrs. Parks’ involvement was, what that day was like, her history with that particular bus driver, and just how things went down. There’s some audio and video in addition to the tour guide, and you get to see a bunch of the fliers that went out for the bus boycott and hear about how people organized that. It really gives you a feel for what was going on in that time in general and for Mrs. Parks in specific.
When I was there I was lucky enough to be with a tour group including a bunch of people who spoke Arabic, so I got to listen to a gorgeous language and hang out with people from all over the world who had come to see this museum and hear about Rosa Parks.

A must visit for history buffs and scholars. The impressive graphics and narrative walks us through a very significant pivot point in our civil rights history.

As an educator I jump at the chance to learn about historical events so while in town visiting family I knew I had to stop at the museum.
My first impression was that the staff was not very warm or welcoming. The tone of the 4 people that I encountered was not very helpful or patient.
Once we got our tickets we went to the Children’s Museum which consisted of a big noisy «bus ride» that played a video that took the rider through history up until the Rosa Parks incident. I found this part very overwhelming even as an adult.
Back at the museum we watched another short film and then went into a room to watch a video reenactment of the night Rosa Parks was arrested.
The museum has other paintings, photos, memorabilia, and artifacts that take you through the civil rights movement.
I would say this is a «must do» while in town.

Hard to actually give this place only three stars considering the historical significance of this but… Here’s the deal, this is down south where we expect that «southern hospitality» for which at this lication does not exist. The staff are just disinterested and uninviting.
Nonetheless, the information was good, no thanks to the staff, and there is value in visiting this museum.

You ought to be aware that this «research» library does not offer Wifi access, except to Troy students. That’s crazy. The Rosa Parks Library: Welcome Back to 1995!

«This is so creepy. Hurry up» is the text that I got from my friend while making a slight detour and hitting the restroom instead of walking into the «time machine» immediately after paying $ 28 for two adults do to both the Children’s Time Machine piece as well as the museum.
When I walked through the doors, I saw what he was talking about. Inside a big room sat an over-​sized replica of a bus surrounded by used computer parts and lights that were intended to make the place look like you were traveling back in time. I don’t know if I would have called it creepy — but with him being the only person in the room, I can see why he wanted me to hurry up and get there so they could start. That’s right. it was just the two of us along for the trip through time.
The feature started and Mr. Rivetts, our «bus driver» (which looked like the robot from the movie Short Circuit) took us on a trip through time starting in Cincinnati meeting a young boy named Jim Crow and ended up in the 1950’s after being introduced to Mrs Parks. While definitely geared towards children, it was worthwhile to go through. There were TV’s throughout the entire room and the walls became projection screens, so even if the room was packed with students on a field trip, everyone would be able to see.
After going through the Children’s part, our admission also got us into the 1955 and beyond part of the exhibit. A much smaller room was waiting on us with very few seats, but we sat down and watched interviews on three projectors and learned more about Rosa Parks specifically. After about 15 minutes of watching this, the automatic doors opened and we were outside on a street corner in 1955 watching and listening on the city bus when Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat.
The rest of the tour was a self-​guided walking tour of the bus boycott, church meetings, police reports and historic memorabilia. As I walked through the museum, I thought to myself many times «I can’t believe this happened only 50 years ago!»
Learning about this in the history books is one thing. walking the streets of Montgomery and seeing it unfold on a likelike tour is something completely different. I’ll always remember this trip and be thankful that I was able to do it.

Small but very informative it was more geared for adults so the kids were not completely engaged but they had fun. I love history and teaching my children so it served its purpose.

Excellent museum that chronicles the early life of Rosa Parks through her arrest, the subsequent boycott and the rise of several key civil rights figures such as Martin Luther King Jr.
Informative exhibits that include a number of actual documents that were preserved from this time period.

This museum exactly located next to the bus stop that Rosa Parks got arrested. It is famous spot in the history for bus segregation civil right act. The area is well build now and beautified. Since Troy University bought the entire properties around that area, the university has built a Museum Library in memory of Rosa Parks.
The museum also is the place where Rosa Parks got arrested when she refuse to give up the seat for the white passenger by the order of the bus driver. The bus driver calls the police to arrest her and charged her with violation of Chapter 6, section 11 of Montgomery city code. On the evening of her arrest, the area civil activists organize the boycott of Montgomery’s city buses. The people are encouraged to stay home or school, take the cab or walk to work. The boycott continues for almost a year and the bus company lost more than $ 1 million on fare during the boycott. It is large amount of money during 1955.
We were honor to visit the place where all things begin. The museum has two different tours with early or after the bus incident. It is worth for a trip to learn the history.

Great place to visit and see. Reba was the best tour guide so well versed on the history and never missed a beat. The children’s section with the time travel was not worth the money for the ticket. The girl at the desk who greeted you there was so rude. Continues to talk on her cell phone with blue tooth as she waited on us. When we first walked in she barely would look up at us. She never explained the section so we left. The woman in the bookstore was awesome. Suggested discounts and explained the whole adventure. Would have been a 5 but because of the woman in the children’s section I gave it a 4

Absolutely amazing. Went with my two daughters ages 15 and 12. We all agreed it is one of the best museums we’ve ever been to. Very unassuming from the outside. Watching Mrs. Parks be treated poorly on the bus in «real time» was truly moving and we felt as if we were on the bus with her. Do not miss this important review of our nation’s recent history.

We were in awe of how well done the museum was. Definitely unexpected. The Children’s Wing was ridiculously cool. As others have mentioned, you go on a simulated bus ride through time, exploring the history of African American civil rights movements. People boldly escaping slavery, the creation of Jim Crow laws, 20^th century civil rights struggles, etc. Seriously impressive, informative, and fun.

ROSA PARKS MUSEUM IS THE BEST MUSEUM EXPERIENCE IN AMERICA!
Well worth travelling all the way from California to spend a day there. Be sure and start on the Rosa Parks Children’s Museum «Bus Ride Simulation» first to prepare yourself for a moving experience literally and emotionally. The tour guide at the museum is very professional and the overall presentation is outstanding. We extended another night to stay in Downtown Montgomery because there is so much to do there starting with the Rosa Parks Museum.

This was one of the best designed museums I have ever been to. Not grand or large, but the way it captured the history and feeling of the Montgomery bus boycotts was truly fantastic. It is a guided tour that starts with a movie and then hits a couple of themes in 4 sections. Our tour guide was knowledgeable and passionate. I was thoroughly impressed and highly recommend this museum to anybody spending time in Montgomery.

Great museum tour. Tons of in depth info and amazing artifacts here. A definite stop if you’re in the area.

We took the time machine tour and it was a blast. The museum is geared towards making learning fun for children and adults. The «tour» is done in a time machine bus — that shook and moved. My description probably will not do it justice — it was like a sci fi holiwood bus set. The video sends the group back in time to major points in African Americans quest for their rights — for example when Plessy bought his first class white ticket. All the time periods are acted out as if we are witnessing the event.
It is great for children. I wish the details went deeper and covered more the legal process. As for the video, it was the only one available. There were 10 others in the «making» but the clerk said that’s been the case for 3 years. I know I would enjoy a few more.
The exhibit upstairs had brief descriptions of the events; however the computers had detailed documents about arrests. Very interesting!

If you are visiting Montgomery it would be shame to miss this museum. The docent who guides the groups through the museum makes it even more interesting. You are not allowed to take photos inside the museum, but you will see people sneak in a shot.

I continue my journey through the Civil Rights Movement … after walking the bridge of Bloody Sunday, riding the trail to the state capital, Montgomery, Alabama to visit the Civil Rights Memorial Center and the Southern Poverty Law Center — this stop at the Rosa Parks Library & Museum was right on time. It preserves the story behind the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the landmark cases — honoring various women and men of the Civil Rights Movement; with Rosa Parks being a central figure — in a way — the mother figure of the movement. We hear a lot about Martin Luther King, Jr., as the father of the movement — but truth be told, I felt an overwhelming feeling of pride to hear that it was the women of the movement that played the role of catalyst — sparking the fire that kept the flames of the boycott burning for a year. How strong and brave were these women — Ms. Parks represented the quiet, strong, and dignified power I wish to posses. What I found so remarkable is that her expression remained soft and her eyes joyful even after seeing and living through so much trauma. I felt love for all those who fought this fight — and sent out a silent prayer of thanks for their sacrifice.
The cost of the museum is nominal $ 6.50 for students; $ 10 general admission. No pictures within the library part, but you can take pictures in the museum. The presentation provided visual, audio and physical stimuli; you will remain engaged the entire time. The tour guide was well informed and professional. A must visit.

I am Black and from Montgomery. The history of Montgomery has been repeated to me time and time again, and spending the majority of my life in the deep south.. .
let’s just say I have had some experiences.
Yet every time I visit a civil rights museum, my mind cannot comprehend the way of life for Black Americans in the past – or White Americans in the deep south for that matter. It just escapes me how this actually was allowed to happen in this country, and not that long ago.
The children’s museum is very Disney like with a robot bus driver and educational video. The adult museum is pretty much just a timeline of the bus boycott with various displays.
A gift shop with various items is also inside the museum as well. I was impressed to see the artwork – my brother actually created the ten roundels on the outside of the museum, and was present when the museum was opened. Ms. Parks was alive then, and he actually had the opportunity to meet her.
Visiting the museum gave me a great appreciation for my life now. I have choices. I feel as if the world is open to me.. .
I am very grateful for the sacrifices, the strength and determination of those before me who organized to make life better for themselves, and in turn, the generations after them.
It is a very humbling experience.. .