The Civil Rights Room at Nashville Public Library is a space dedicated to honoring the city’s role in the Civil Rights Movement, showcasing a collection of resources that tell the story of local activism in the fight against segregation and the struggle for equality during the 1950s and 1960s. 

Betsy Phillips, a local historian and reporter for the Nashville Scene, initially came to the Civil Rights Room to research a piece she planned to write about the bombing of Hattie Cotton Elementary School in remembrance of its 60th anniversary. As Betsy uncovered more information, she realized there was a larger story to tell. Her research expanded to include the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham, Alabama, and the bombing of Z. Alexander Looby’s home in Nashville. She soon discovered that these three bombings were connected, creating the premise of her book, Dynamite Nashville. 

“The amount of curated books in that room, specifically focused on the Civil Rights Movement and people who were here in Nashville, was incredibly helpful. Having it all in one place is invaluable,” Betsy said. There, she met Elliott Robinson, who she credits as a crucial thought partner, often presenting her findings to him for discussion and analysis. “Elliott is the greatest resource in the room,” Betsy said.  

As an educator at NPL, Elliott specializes in leading tours of the Civil Rights Room, bringing Nashville’s history to life. He guides school groups, families, and patrons through pivotal moments in the movement, such as the desegregation of public schools and the lunch counter sit-ins. These sit-ins, many of which took place at a lunch counter where the Main Library stands today, were nonviolent protests against segregation that played a crucial role in the Civil Rights Movement. Elliott invites visitors to sit around the table in the room and read the rules of the sit-ins, helping them connect with the work of these student protesters.