ROCHESTER, N.Y. — In Rochester, there exists a unique establishment known as The Center for the Study of Civil and Human Rights Laws. Formerly a lawyer's office, it has been transformed into a snapshot of America's complex history, showcasing both its triumphs and its darker moments.

Van White, a former lawyer turned judge, has a personal connection to the civil rights movement that drives his passion for this project. Motivated by his father's experiences of discrimination and his participation in the March on Washington in 1963, White embarked on a journey to preserve his father's memory by collecting books and photographs from that pivotal time.

What You Need To Know

  • Van White's transformation of his former law office into The Center for the Study of Civil and Human Rights Laws is driven by a personal quest to reconnect with his father, who participated in the March on Washington in 1963

  • The center serves as a repository of America's past, showcasing both its struggles and successes

  • Through artifacts, photographs, and recreations, visitors gain insights into pivotal moments in civil rights history

  • Despite years of searching, Van White continues to seek traces of his father within the collection, highlighting the ongoing importance of preserving personal narratives within the broader context of history

Inside the center, visitors encounter a wealth of artifacts that tell the stories of resilience and struggle. Exhibits depict the courageous actions of four college students who defied segregation at lunch counters, as well as relics from businesses that once practiced discrimination against Black Americans. Among the highlights is a pool table once used by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., serving as a tangible link to an iconic figure in the civil rights movement.

Despite countless hours spent looking at photographs, White's quest to find his father's face among them is still ongoing. His belief in the importance of preserving personal narratives underscores the center's mission to educate and inspire visitors about America's past.

For more information about The Center for the Study of Civil and Human Rights Laws, click here.