National Civil Rights Museum

The National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis was a deeply moving, unforgettable experience - my first time visiting a civil rights museum. I drove down from Nashville, TN by myself, initially planning to split my day between the museum and exploring Beale Street. Those plans quickly changed as I found myself completely absorbed in the museum for five hours, carefully taking in every exhibit.The experience took me through a range of emotions - from laughter to tears, and feeling immense pride in individuals who fought tirelessly for justice. The exhibits are thoughtfully curated and interactive, tracing the journey from slavery to present-day challenges. The powerful displays include a recreation of the Rosa Parks bus where visitors can sit and reflect on the stress and pain endured during segregation. I found myself sitting there, deeply contemplating the courage it took to stand up against such injustice.I was particularly impressed learning about the many college students from Nashville, especially those from Tennessee State University and Fisk University, who served as Freedom Riders. What's beautiful is seeing how both black and white students came together in the fight for justice - a powerful reminder of unity in the struggle for civil rights.The Green Book exhibit was particularly enlightening. While I'd heard of it before, I hadn't fully understood its vital importance to Black travelers during segregation. This detailed exhibition helped me grasp just how crucial this publication was for safe travel. When I returned home, I was inspired to research online and found several copies of the Green Book, which deeply impressed me.The museum seamlessly connects to the Lorraine Motel, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, now preserved as a powerful memorial. Every exhibit is touching and powerful, serving as an excellent teaching tool for all ages. The museum's gift shop is exceptional, featuring an impressive collection of books, handmade jewelry, and magnets (which I collect), all reflecting the significance of this historical journey.This phenomenal museum was a fantastic experience that I didn't realize I needed in my life. If you have the chance to visit, please take advantage - you won't regret it one bit. Parking is a breeze and free, with many downtown restaurants within walking distance (which you'll appreciate after your visit). Pro tip: Buy your tickets online and review the website before your visit - knowledge is power in all aspects. If you believe in inclusiveness, fairness, and equality for all humans, then this place is a wonderful reminder that we need to keep pushing and never give up! Peace and blessings to us all!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Everyone in America needs to go to this museum!!There's free parking and multiple MATA buses/trolley are real close to it.I'd recommend allotting 3-ish hours for this.

The National Civil Rights Museum is a must see if you are visiting Memphis, TN. I was actually heading towards St. Louis but made a detour to Memphis just to see this museum. I'm a fan of museums in general, but none has really touched me like this one. It is located in the former Lorraine Motel where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was actually assassinated in 1968. Not only does it provide an inside look into his life and death, but it also sheds light into the Civil Rights Movement. You learn things in school, but there was so much more that I learned about here. They touched on slavery, student sit ins, Rosa Parks, Freedom Rides, and the Black Power movement. There are some recreations, but there are alot of actual items from that time period as well. One of the most sombering parts of the visit was when as you are finishing the tour, you walk through Dr. King's final hours leading up to his assassination. It ends as you walk through the actual hotel room and balcony he was on when he was gunned down. You can see the building where the shots were fired and go there too to see the different vantage points. I would definitely recommend visiting the National Civil Rights Museum if you are in the area. I plan on coming again if in the area because there is so much I did not have time to see and there are always rotating special exhibits from time to time.

Today was Martin Luther King Jr Day and I wanted to go celebrate and honor him. On this holiday the museum is free although they do ask that you bring can goods as a donation. Today was also one of the coldest days we've had in a long time so needless to say I was bundled and layered up because the line to enter is usually pretty long.This museum is wonderful, the staff are pleasant and knowledgeable and I encourage everyone, when in Memphis to visit, you won't be disappointed. If you don't like crowds then I would advise you not to go on MLK Day. This day is full of people from all over to celebrate his life and accomplishments as well as speakers and performers there to honor him. It's a very moving experience to see through the pictures and interviews the effort, blood, sweat and tears that so many put into trying to make things better for all of us. It makes you wonder, Am I Doing Enough? If we could just be kind to each other then that's something. I've been here a few times but I'm not sure of the regular admission cost. Whatever it is, it's worth every penny.

Happy Birthday to one of the best to ever do it!!! quietly singing..."we shall overcome..."While in Memphis recently, I visited this historical site. I felt overwhelmed with emotion as I walked through a time capsule of all the great accomplishments made by just 39 years young. I became even more proud through each exhibit - proud of the movement that has pushed a nation to continue dreaming! The hotel (you are not able to enter, as it is now part of the museum and encased) is just as it was on that day (cars in the parking lot included). The museum, although not free, is well worth every penny. Touch, feel, sit in the same spaces..."Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.This resonated with me as I remembered how casting my vote (as a black woman) is still a debate today. This resonated with me as DEI is a topic of discussion today. This resonated with me as I pondered a question Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once posed, "What are you doing for others?"As we celebrate your life and selfless service that leads so many to this place to peer at the ledge (almost feeling time warped back to April 4, 1968) - we are reminded that there is still work to do (for ourselves and others).I continue to dream because you had a dream

It was a bit overwhelming to see so much history housed here. It very much needs to be seen and we will never forget.

Quality/Quantity - So much to see and learn that we came here for two days!What a great education. See all my pictures. I can not do a review justice. So see their website.Atmosphere - Open 6 days a week from 9am to 5pm, closed Tuesdays. Service - Strict but good. There are areas that you are NOT allowed to take pictures, and areas that you are allowed to with no flash.Price - $20 per adult.Owner Comment - Congrats on your success since 1991 and thank you to the 3 prominent Memphians who helped create this great venue.

While visiting Memphis over the holidays, we came to the National Civil Rights Museum. This was hands down one of the most powerful and moving exhibits I have ever seen. I was in awe of the depth of information presented but thoroughly impressed by how accessible it was. There really are no words when you stand right where MLK Jr. took his final breaths. It feels foolish to even try and explain it. I think every single American should be required to come experience this museum and learn the impactful history it presents.

Visiting the museum was overwhelming powerful. The curators succeeded in providing a historical narrative of how, why, and when the birth of civil rights began. I appreciated the revisionists perspective, adding names of so many people who have been omitted from history books. Viewing the recreation of the hotel rooms was so emotional. The staff were friendly and helpful, and the ticket price is a good deal for the experience. I'd highly recommend everybody to visit the museum.

The National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee is a true resource for not only the history of the African-American people, but also of the entire United States. The museum traces the history of black people from the time enslavement originated in the 17th century, through the Civil War, reconstruction, Jim Crow, the civil rights movement add up to the current time. Upon arrival of the Lorraine Hotel, you can look up from the street and see the actual place where the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was standing at the time he was gunned down. Upon entering, it is possible to go to the second level of the museum so you can see the location with Dr. King spent his last few hours alive. As you go through the rest of the museum and trace the entire timeline, it is impossible not to be impressed with the faith and resilience of the African-American people. The visitor can see how slavery developed and how its presence affected the entire shape of agriculture in the United States, and, through that, how America actually functioned as a country. Eli Whitney's cotton gin made each slave massively more productive. Instead of using slave labor to pull the seeds out of the cotton, the cotton gin could do the job faster while still being efficient. The size of the nd of the Covil War crop grew exponentially from the end of the 18th century up until the Civil E Are the Civil War ended slavery, it was depressing to see how, after the assassination of President Lincoln, how white Southerners used both legal and illegal means to suppress the newly freed black population. While Andrew Johnson was clearly commiticeted to the preserva tion of the Union, his heart was clearly not in the fight to establish justice for Black people. Although the reconstruction amendments were passed within a few years after the end of the Civil War, organizations such as the Ku Klux Klan antd other similar efforts suppressed the black population. Even the efforts of President Grant and his newly created Department of Justice-created specifically to enforce the Ku Klux KlanActs-destroyed the original Klan organization, but not the other legal structures thatgrew up to support the suppression of Black people. The museum dealt with the successful efforts of Black people to create a vital economic life for their people. It also dealt with the all too frequent riots which led to the destruction of successful black business districts, such as existed in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by white race riots after World War I. You can learn how any Black people went north during World War II to take part in defense plans and also serve in the military. Blacks continuing to live in the South, continue to have restricted opportunities and were heavily employed in the agricultural sector. They They The museum shows how electrification improved the lives of all Southerners. Unfortunately, modernization also brought about unwanted consequences. Getting gasoline powered tractors made the work of the individual farmer far easier-and far more productive-then it had been using mules driven by sharecroppers. This drastically reduced the need for workers on the farm. Within the space of a few years, this massively increased the flow of African-Americans northward. For someone, such as myself who had never lived in a primarily agricultural community, this came as a revelation to me. The museum detailed the legal and legal political struggle for civil rights. It also dealt with the cultural effect of black music in the growth of gospel, music, country music, and, of course, rock and roll. The museum describes the struggle of Black people to be recognized in all areas of the economy, and acknowledged their advances in areas of entertainment and in sport. It also describes the initial political advances of Black people. While I only spent a few hours at the museum, one could easily spend a month there and spend it profitably. The world of exhibits and of the information presented in them cannot be summarized in a brief review. The museum shop contains an invaluable collection of books for a person's education about the struggles of the African-American community. A visit there is well worth your time.