National Civil Rights Museum

The NATIONAL CIVIL RIGHTS MUSEUM, located at the historic Lorraine Motel where civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated, chronicles the American Civil Rights Movement from 1619 to the present, and the world in transition because of it. 

Generations have taken a moment to reflect in the museum’s courtyard with the Lorraine Motel marque sign on one side and the balcony where Dr. King was shot on the other. They prepare for a transformational museum experience inside they will not forget.

Through its interactive and immersive historical and contemporary exhibits from slavery to Black Power, from voting rights to immigration, from Jim Crow to Dr. King’s last days at the Lorraine Motel, the museum examines civil and human rights issues (then and now).  

Visitors come to learn and engage in civil rights history to better understand how this history impacts them today.  The museum provokes thoughtful debate with its public forums, book talks, distinguished speakers, and one-on-one conversations with civil rights icons and new movement makers.  

Educators bring their students because they’re convinced that the civil rights lessons from the past will impact the soon-to-be leaders of the future.  Thousands come to march, demonstrate, die-in, sing, speak out and stand up in solidarity to fight for positive social change.

It’s the Power of Place, where history happened and is happening!