• Texas African American History Memorial - Situated on the Texas State Capitol Grounds, this memorial provides a comprehensive overview of Texas’ African history from the era of Spanish colonization to the present day. It highlights the significance of “King Cotton” and Austin’s role as a major center for cotton production and manufacturing. The Texas Capitol building, completed in 1888, was among the tallest structures globally at the time. However, a lesser-known aspect of its history involves the forced labor of many incarcerated Black men and women, who were subjected to “convict-leasing” to extract materials and construct the building.
• Texas Governor’s Mansion - At this mansion, the history of slavery in Austin and Travis County is explored, including the building’s construction. The tour aims to humanize those who were enslaved in Travis County and spotlight key figures in Austin’s history.
• Wooldridge Square - Dating back to the Waller Plan of 1839, which laid out the city, Wooldridge Square was one of the original four squares. Over the years, it became the site of Austin’s first Black churches, schools, and social institutions. In 1911, Booker T. Washington delivered a significant speech here. The discussion will cover the origins of Austin’s Black community post-enslavement and the contributions of African-Americans to the development of the state and city.
• Heman Marion Sweatt Travis County Court House - Located next to Wooldridge Square, this courthouse offers insight into Austin’s role in upholding Jim Crow racial segregation in the U.S. In 1946, during the Sweatt v. Painter case, Texas maintained segregationist policies that denied African-Americans admission to The University of Texas at Austin. Thurgood Marshall argued this case in Austin. The discussion will focus on the contributions of African-Americans to the Civil Rights Movement at local, state, and national levels.
• Paramount Theatre - A walk down Congress Ave leads to the Paramount Theatre, a key site in the desegregation movement. The discussion will cover various 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 concludes on Austin’s renowned Sixth Street. Before becoming the “Live Music Capital of the World,” it was the center of African American commerce. The discussion will explore the business environment for Black entrepreneurs and patrons, as well as the creation of the Negro District in 1928, which displaced Black residents from prime downtown areas to East Austin.

• All Fees and Taxes

• Bottled water
• Tips

This historical walking tour takes guests through the presence of Black people in the heart of downtown Austin. Since Austin’s establishment in 1839 and before, people of African descent have played an integral part in this city’s development. We journey through centuries of histories, contributions, and experiences that are seldom told. We will explore the history of enslavement in Austin, routes to freedom in Mexico for enslaved persons passing through Austin, and the Black businesses and institutions that once flourished downtown. On this one-mile walk, guests will engage in dialogue about Black people’s role in Austin’s development and their continued presence. Please reserve up to 2 hours for this tour to accommodate walking between points of interest and time to discuss topics.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.