Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) Freedom House

The SNCC Freedom House, a part of the SNCC Freedom Complex.

NPS Photo/BrittanyAnn Robinson

Quick Facts

Location:

625 Freedom Road, White Hall, AL 36040

OPEN TO PUBLIC:

No

MANAGED BY:

John Jackson

The SNCC (Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee) Freedom House in Lowndes County was more than just a meeting place—it was a symbol of the courage and commitment of local residents like Mathew and Emma Jackson, who risked their lives to support the civil rights movement. Mathew Jackson, a farmer and landowner, donated a small building next to his home for SNCC workers to use as the Freedom House. Despite the constant threat of violence and economic reprisals, the Jackson family’s commitment to the cause never wavered.

Living conditions at the Freedom House were harsh. The SNCC workers who stayed there slept in sleeping bags under a leaky roof and had to go outside to fetch water and use the bathroom. The only source of warmth was a single butane gas heater. The Jackson family, which included Mathew, Emma, and their ten children, shared their already modest home and resources with these young activists, knowing full well that their involvement with SNCC could make them a target of violent retaliation.

The Jacksons' son, John Jackson Jr., was instrumental in connecting the family to SNCC. At 16, John drove a school bus in Lowndes County, and his first contact with SNCC came when SNCC organizers boarded his bus and announced an upcoming mass meeting. John attended the meeting and soon convinced his parents to get involved. Once their participation became known, the family faced intimidation. A local shopkeeper, aware of their involvement, demanded immediate repayment of a $10 debt and refused to extend any further credit to them.

One night, a group of White men parked outside the Jackson home and began firing rifles at the house, a common form of harassment faced by Black families who supported civil rights activities. Mr. Jackson, prepared for such an attack, fired back, and the men took off. Such incidents were a constant reminder of the risks the Jackson family took by hosting the SNCC workers.