Historic Ben Moore Hotel in Montgomery now protected by Conservation Fund

The Ben Moore Hotel in Montgomery is now under the protection of the Conservation Fund in an effort to preserve the historic building that was used by Martin Luther King Jr., B.B. King, and other famous figures. 

“Once a beacon for the Centennial Hill neighborhood and a refuge for travelers listed in the Green Book, the Ben Moore Hotel welcomed Civil Rights leaders and musical icons alike,” said Phillip Howard, Manager of the Legacy Places Initiative for The Conservation Fund.

“Though time has worn down its walls, its story remains powerful. By protecting this historic site, we’re helping ensure that the courage and creativity it once inspired continue to shape Montgomery’s future.”

The hotel was built by Matthew F. “Ben” Moore and had a restaurant, barber shops, and a rooftop nightclub in addition to its guest rooms. 

“At the Ben Moore Hotel you had any and everybody who lived there - B.B. King, Ruth Brown, Little Richard,” said Nelson Malden, owner of Malden Brothers Barber Shop at the Ben Moore Hotel. “We had quite a few civil rights activists come too.”

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At one point the building became a headquarters for civil rights activists to organize in the 1960s. 

“The protection of the Ben Moore Hotel is significant for the city not just because of the history it represents, but because of the growth and revitalization opportunities it provides for Montgomery and all of central Alabama,” said Mayor Steven Reed of the City of Montgomery.

It became unused over the years and was eventually closed but was recognized as a historic place that was important to the Civil Rights Movement. 

The Conservation Fund is partnering with the Landsmark Foundation to help preserve the building. 

“Restoring the Ben Moore Hotel is both a celebration of our city’s rich history and a bold step toward its future,” says Frank Robinson, Director of Economic Development for the City of Montgomery. “We are excited to see this iconic space redeveloped, recognizing it as a powerful economic catalyst for the neighborhood and for Montgomery as a whole.”