The Historic Magnolia House Inn — Greensboro, North Carolina

Located in Greensboro, North Carolina, The Historic Magnolia House Inn is a Black-owned boutique inn steeped in heritage, hospitality, and history. Established in the 1940s, the Magnolia House became a welcoming home for Black travelers during the era of segregation, providing safe, dignified accommodations at a time when many hotels refused service to people of color. Today, it stands as both a charming inn and a living testament to resilience, community, and civil rights history.

Over the decades, the Magnolia House hosted notable guests from across the cultural and intellectual spectrum, and its walls still reflect the stories and spirit of those who passed through. Guests enjoy warm hospitality, preserved historic character, and thoughtful modern comforts in a setting that honors the past while offering a peaceful retreat in the present.

For Rates & Availability please use our Expedia affiliate link.

Highlights & Offerings

• Black-owned historic bed & breakfast in Greensboro
• Preserved historic charm with period architecture and design
• Cozy guest rooms with classic décor and modern amenities
• Welcoming living spaces, porches, and communal areas for relaxation
• Story-rich environment infused with civil rights era legacy
• Personalized service and warm Southern hospitality
• Close to downtown Greensboro dining, culture, and historic sites

Why Stay Here

The Historic Magnolia House, is a rare and significant Green Book site that served as a premier hotel for Black travelers during the Jim Crow era. Originally built in 1889 as a private Victorian residence, it was transformed into the Magnolia Hotel in 1949 by Arthur and Louise Gist to provide a safe, upscale haven for African Americans when they were barred from white-owned establishments.

After falling into disrepair in the 1980s, the house was purchased by Sam Pass in 1995 and meticulously restored. It reopened as a boutique bed and breakfast in January 2022 and is now managed by his daughter, Natalie Pass-Miller. The Bed and Breakfast honors the past, and offers a special lodging experience:

• Appropriately Themed Guestroom: The house features four period-appropriate rooms inspired by 1950s/60s mid-century modern design. Each is named after a famous past guest, such as the  Legends Room (for athletes) and the bright pink Carlotta Room (for soul singers).
• Living Museum: The first floor serves as a museum with informational placards, a photo gallery of past guests, and original architectural details like stone masonry and wooden bannisters.
• Dining & Events:
  • Sunday Brunch: A highly-rated experience featuring “soulful elegant Southern cuisine” like shrimp and grits, and fried chicken with French toast.
  • Shoebox Meals: A culinary education program that recreates the meals Black travelers carried for safety during Jim Crow.
• Jazz Nights: Regular live music events that honor the hotel’s musical legacy.
• Special Heritage: It is the first Green Book hotel to be inducted into the Historic Hotels of America.

The Historic Magnolia House Inn offers travelers an experience that combines comfort, culture, and history. Far more than just a place to stay, the inn invites guests into a space that played an important role in Black travel history — welcoming visitors when segregation severely limited where they could rest, dine, or gather.

Staying here allows guests to connect with the stories of trailblazers in business, arts, and civil rights who found refuge under its roof. Its preservation and continued operation ensure that this legacy remains alive for future generations.

Whether you’re exploring Greensboro’s museums, enjoying local cuisine, or simply soaking in the heritage of the South, the Magnolia House provides a meaningful and memorable stay rooted in community and historic significance.

For Rates & Availability please use our Expedia affiliate link.

➜ The History of African-American Hotel Ownership