Reopening This Weekend: The National Civil Rights Museum

Reopening This Weekend: The National Civil Rights Museum

If you listened to the April I Love Memphis Podcast, you heard that my "What I'm Lovin' in Memphis" this month is the reopening of the National Civil Rights Museum. After about a year of construction and $28 million, the NCRM will reopen this Saturday, April 5.

civil-rights-musuem-hotel-room
The hotel room where Dr. King stayed is the same as it was before the renovation, although the balcony is no longer accessible.

Several months ago, Leadership Memphis invited me on a tour of the museum to get a sneak peek of what's to come. What I saw (amidst the dust) inspired and excited me. The museum engages more than just your eyes and reading ability; there are sounds, videos, and interactive exhibits.

For example, the tour begins in a partial replica of a slave ship where you can crawl inside and get a tiny hint of what it was like to be on the ship. During the tour, I walked through replicas of a courtroom, a schoolhouse, a lunch counter sit-in, and more, all representing important moments and people in the civil rights movement.

Here are some photos of the project still under heavy construction a few months ago.

Image courtesy of Leadership Memphis. Photo by Meghan Stuthard, used by permission.

NCRM-leadership-memphis-tour-group
The Leadership Memphis tour group. Image courtesy of Leadership Memphis. Photo by Meghan Stuthard, used by permission.

This Friday, April 4, the NCRM will host a forum on the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act at 2 p.m. followed by a 6 p.m. candlelight vigil in the courtyard to mark the 46th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s assassination.

On Saturday, April 5, there will be a Freedom Forward Parade down 2nd street. It starts at 9:30 a.m. at the Cook Convention Center and ends at the NCRM. 11 a.m. is the official grand reopening ceremony followed by performance and speeches throughout the afternoon.

Go here for more info on the schedule for the weekend.

The National Civil Rights Musuem is open each day (except Tuesday) from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., but doesn't open until 1 p.m. on Sundays. During the summer, the museum stays open until 6 p.m. Be sure to check hours here before you go in case of holiday closings. The Museum is $10 for adults, $9 for students/seniors, and $8 for children. You can get in for free on most Mondays from 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. with a Tennessee state I.D. The National Civil Rights Museum is ADA accessible.

Go there:

National Civil Rights Museum
450 Mulberry St.

civilrightsmuseum.org

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