The Cause

We proudly joined with other members of the Coalition for the Woolworth Building at the recent MLK March.    Carrying our banner and manning a booth at Pittman-Sullivan Park, we did our best to raise awareness of the need to preserve the Woolworth Building.  Located in Alamo Plaza, on the corner of  Alamo and E. Houston Streets, the building played an important role in local and national civil rights history.

What happened at Woolworth’s in 1960 and why should you care?

The peaceful voluntary integration of lunch counters in San Antonio set an example for the nation in positive race relations.  As part of a student-led movement across the segregated South,  it helped bring about the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.  Today, the Woolworth Buildings stands as a visible link to this important civil rights achievement.  It also represents a vital aspect of  Alamo Plaza’s rich, but little-known Black history.

The Threat

Will the Woolworth Building remain standing?  The 2017 Alamo Master Plan supported the reuse of the Woolworth Building as part of a planned Alamo Museum.  However, the State-owned Woolworth Building does not appear in any of the 2018 conceptual drawings for the new museum and demolition appears to be an option.  The City of San Antonio has no control over what the State of Texas decides to do with the Woolworth Building.

What You Can Do

The Coalition is asking all concerned citizens to contact the following state officials.  Tell them you support the preservation of the Woolworth Building for reuse as part of the new Alamo museum.

George P. Bush, Commissioner, Texas General Land Office
E:mail: http://www.glo.texas.gov/contact/email-us/index.html
Phone: 1-800-998-4GLO (4456)

Senator José Menéndez (District 26 – Downtown San Antonio)
Phone: (512) 463-0126 (Capitol) or (210) 733-6604 (District Office)

Representative Diego Bernal (District 123 – Downtown San Antonio)
Phone: (512) 463-0532 (Capitol) or (210) 308-9700 (District Office)