At 450 Mulberry St in Memphis, the National Civil Rights Museum traces the struggle for civil rights from slavery to the present. Its galleries occupy the former Lorraine Motel, where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968, and include the room and balcony connected to that history. Films, photographs, oral histories, artifacts and interactive displays cover events such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott, sit-ins and the rise of Jim Crow. Across the street, the Legacy building examines the investigation into King’s assassination. Allow several hours to take in the extensive exhibits.
The Lorraine Motel and its history
The museum is built around the former Lorraine Motel, where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968. King was in Memphis in support of striking sanitation workers. The motel’s connection to that day is part of the museum itself: visitors can see the room where he stayed and the balcony associated with his assassination.
The site opened as a museum in 1991. Its purpose is to preserve and teach the history of the American civil rights movement. The exhibits extend beyond King’s final hours, placing them within a longer account of the struggle for equality. The motel’s rooms and grounds give that history a direct connection to a specific place in Memphis.
From slavery to the modern movement
The galleries trace events from slavery and the Civil War through Reconstruction, Jim Crow segregation and the civil rights movement, then continue into more recent human rights struggles. The history includes the Montgomery Bus Boycott, student sit-ins, Freedom Rides and the Selma March. Exhibits also address the organizing and collective action behind campaigns for change.
Artifacts, photographs, film, oral histories and interactive media bring people and events into focus. Displays include a bus connected with the Montgomery boycott and a lunch-counter sit-in exhibit. First-person accounts and archival footage add context to the objects and explain the experiences behind them. There is extensive written material, so visitors who want to read each display should plan for a long visit.
The Legacy building
Across the street from the Lorraine Motel, the Legacy building examines the investigation into King’s assassination. Its displays include timelines, artifacts and detailed information about the handling of the case by local and federal law enforcement. This part of the complex adds a close account of the investigation to the museum’s broader history of civil rights.
The exhibits are substantial, and the route through the main galleries follows a sequence. Allow enough time to move through the material without rushing, and consider setting aside separate time for the Legacy building. The subject matter includes racial violence and assassination, so the visit can be emotionally difficult. Advance preparation, such as reading about the movement or listening to a relevant history podcast, can help provide context.
FAQ
Where is the National Civil Rights Museum?
It is at 450 Mulberry St in Memphis, Tennessee, at the former Lorraine Motel.
How long should I plan for a visit?
Set aside at least three hours for the exhibits. Allow extra time if you also plan to visit the Legacy building across the street.
Can I buy tickets in advance?
Yes. Advance online ticket purchase is recommended to reduce waiting at the entrance.
What does the museum cover?
Its exhibits trace civil rights history from slavery and Jim Crow through the movement’s major campaigns and the continuing struggle for human rights.
