Woods Guest House - Freedom House

FS64 - Woods Bench - Web

Narrator: Cameron Rackley

Historical Narration: Retelling by Beverly Hopson on behalf of Peggy Jean Connor

Located in the heart of Mobile Street, the Woods Guest House was a hotel for African Americans, housed the local COFO office, and served as a Freedom Library.

Owned by Mrs. Linen E. Woods, the property also served as the headquarters of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party and the Palmer's Crossing project.

Though the home was destroyed by a fire on Sept. 17, 1998, a bench and a sign mark the spot where the guest house once stood.

Peggy Jean Connor was a civil rights activist and secretary/treasurer for COFO of Hattiesburg. She spent many hours in the Woods Guest House during Freedom Summer. She recounted her time there to us for the original making of this Trail.