Description Victor Hugo Green was a US postal carrier who served as a sergeant in WWI. After the war, while living in Harlem, during the Harlem Renaissance, he saw a need to assist Black people to find safe havens and businesses that catered to them while traveling around the country. He used his connections within the National Association of Letter Carriers to obtain information on various regions throughout the US. In 1936, he published The Negro Motorist Green Book, and in 1947, he started the Reservation Station, which assisted Blacks with booking travel arrangements. By the 1950s, the book was renamed The Negro Traveler and expanded the coverage to all of the US, Bermuda, Canada, and Mexico. The Green Book, 1936-1966 The Green Book was a travel guide for African-Americans in the United States. When it was published, during the Jim Crow era, there were limited choices for black people wanting to use restaurants, lodging, and even gas stations. State laws in the South required separate facilities for Black people. At first, The Negro Traveler’s Green Book compiled data on businesses in the New York City area. It was so popular that it expanded its coverage to destinations around the country. Ernest Green referred to it as “one of the survival tools of segregated life.” The biographical History Mugs were created to teach and inspire individuals to learn about our diverse and interesting history. The biographies were researched and written by history enthusiast, Robert Compton. He colorized most of the historic photos and images used on the mugs, which were originally black and white or sepia tone. The images and biographies are imprinted on mugs at his studio in rural Vermont. Mugs are food and microwave safe. To preserve photographic quality we recommend hand washing. Mugs are usually shipped within 3-5 days.
