Rosa Parks Library and Museum (Alabama)
| Name | Rosa Parks Library and Museum |
|---|---|
| Location | Downtown Montgomery, Alabama (Troy University Montgomery Campus) |
| Street Address | Library & Museum: 252 Montgomery Street, Montgomery, AL 36104 Children’s Wing: 220 Montgomery Street, Montgomery, AL 36104 |
| What It Is | A combined museum, research hub, and public library space that preserves artifacts and stories connected to Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott. |
| Opened | December 1, 2000 |
| Museum Hours | Monday–Friday: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Saturday: 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Sunday: Closed (and some holidays) |
| Museum Entry Timing | Self-guided tours begin on the hour and half hour. The museum closes for lunch 12:00–1:00 p.m. (no admission sold after 11:00 a.m. until reopening at 1:00 p.m.). |
| Library Hours | Sunday: Closed Monday–Thursday: 8:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Friday: 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Saturday: Closed |
| Admission |
Age 13+: $7.50 (one wing) / $14.00 (both wings) Ages 5–12: $5.50 (one wing) / $10.00 (both wings) Age 4 and under: Free |
| Discounts | $1 off per wing for Military, Seniors (62+), and Educators. Groups of 25+ receive $1.50 off per wing (valid ID required; discounts can’t be combined). |
| Group Reservations | Groups of 10+ must schedule a tour slot before arriving. |
| Contact |
Email: rosaparks@troy.edu Tour Reservations: 334-241-8661 Museum Information: 334-241-8615 Gift Shop: 334-241-8616 Children’s Wing: 334-241-8702 |
| Parking | Free parking is available in Troy University Montgomery campus lots (avoid reserved spaces and non-campus private lots). Metered street parking is also available. |
| Website | https://www.troy.edu/student-life-resources/arts-culture/rosa-parks-museum/index.html |
| View on OpenStreetMap | OpenStreetMap |
| Directions | Open in Google Maps |
The Rosa Parks Library and Museum in Montgomery, Alabama is a rare place where primary artifacts and public learning sit under one roof. Operated by Troy University, it stands at the site associated with Rosa Parks’ defining moment, and it’s widely described as the nation’s only museum dedicated to Rosa Parks. You’ll move through thoughtfully built spaces that explain the people, the planning, and the community energy behind a turning point in American history—without feeling like you’re reading a textbook.
Visitor Details Worth Knowing
- Museum Tours are self-guided and begin on the hour and half hour.
- The museum closes for lunch from 12:00–1:00 p.m.; no tickets are sold after 11:00 a.m. until reopening.
- Groups of 10+ should reserve a time slot by phone or email; it keeps the entry flow smooth and calm.
- Two Wings are available: the Main Museum Wing and the Children’s Wing.
Where The Museum Sits in Downtown Montgomery
The Rosa Parks Library and Museum is part of the Troy University Montgomery Campus, set right into Downtown Montgomery where museums, theaters, and civic buildings meet. The Main Building is at 252 Montgomery Street, with the Children’s Wing nearby at 220 Montgomery Street. This close layout matters—visitors can experience the museum galleries and the interactive wing without a long gap between them, and that keeps the story clear in your mind.
What You Will Experience Inside Both Wings
Inside the Rosa Parks Museum, the focus stays on real objects, clear timelines, and human voices. The Main Wing centers on the events that sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the community response that followed. The Children’s Wing adds a more immersive, family-friendly approach through the Cleveland Avenue Time Machine, a signature experience designed to make history feel close and understandable.
Main Museum Wing Highlights
- Gallery-Style Exhibits with documents, objects, and context panels.
- A strong emphasis on community organization and everyday leadership.
- A museum flow that supports self-paced learning—no rush, no confusion.
Children’s Wing Highlights
- The Cleveland Avenue Time Machine experience, built to help younger visitors stay engaged.
- Multi-media storytelling that supports school groups and families.
- A separate contact line for questions about Children’s Wing timing and access.
Notable Artifacts and Collection Strengths
The collection at the Rosa Parks Library and Museum is known for high-impact artifacts—items that make the past feel specific and personal. These are not vague replicas meant to fill space. They are carefully preserved objects connected to Rosa Parks and the story the museum tells. One small detail can change how you understand an entire decade, and the exhibitons here lean into that power.
- Fingerprint Arrest Record linked to Rosa Parks (a rare, concrete piece of documentation).
- A 1950s-era Montgomery City Bus, central to the museum’s story and visitor memory.
- Artworks including statuary and quilts, connecting history with visual culture.
- Court Documents and police reports that anchor the narrative in verified records.
- A restored 1955 Station Wagon (often described as a “rolling church”) used to support community transportation.
Temporary Exhibitions and Community-Focused Displays
Beyond its permanent museum spaces, the Rosa Parks Museum hosts rotating exhibitions that keep repeat visits rewarding. Current programming has included a featured exhibition titled Rosa Parks: A Lifetime of Being Rebellious, presented with facsimiles of items associated with her personal collection and positioned as an early look at future museum plans. The same exhibition notes an opportunity to partner with the Library of Congress to bring part of her collection to Alabama.
Exploring Special Exhibitions Without Missing The Main Story
Special exhibitions usually sit in designated gallery spaces, so you can still follow the Main Wing narrative at your own pace. If you want a deeper sense of art, community projects, and interpretive displays, these rotating rooms are where you’ll find it.
Rosa Parks Library Services Inside The Same Building
The Rosa Parks Library adds a valuable layer for visitors who want research support alongside the museum visit. It provides library assistance through email and live chat, and it maintains clear guidelines to protect the study environment. This is a working academic setting, so the tone is calm, respectful, and built for focus.
Library Hours and Help
- Hours: Monday–Thursday 8:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; Friday 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.; Sunday and Saturday closed.
- Live Chat: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (Central time).
- Email Support: libhelp@troy.edu
Library Use Guidelines
- No food or beverages in the library; the quiet setting is part of the experience.
- A book drop is located outside near the Molton Street entrance.
- Orientation sessions may be available during the term for patrons and classes.
Tickets, Discounts, and Group Scheduling
Admission at the Rosa Parks Library and Museum is structured by age and by wing, so visitors can choose the Main Wing, the Children’s Wing, or both. The museum also offers a small set of straightforward discounts with valid ID. For group visits, reservations are required at 10 or more, and large groups may be placed into separate time slots to keep the experience comfortable.
Admission Snapshot
- Age 13+: $7.50 one wing / $14.00 both wings
- Ages 5–12: $5.50 one wing / $10.00 both wings
- Age 4 and under: Free
- Discounts: Military, Seniors (62+), Educators ($1 off per wing)
Parking and Arrival Notes on Campus Streets
Parking for the Rosa Parks Museum is generally straightforward. Visitors are welcome to use Troy University Montgomery campus parking lots at no charge, and there is also metered street parking in the area. Designated handicap parking spaces are available along Montgomery Street and in campus lots, supporting easy access for guests who need it.
Contact Details for Smooth Communication
- Email: rosaparks@troy.edu (general questions and group scheduling)
- Tour Reservations: 334-241-8661
- Museum Information: 334-241-8615
- Gift Shop: 334-241-8616
- Children’s Wing: 334-241-8702