Civil Rights Museums

So many opportunities to learn.

I’ve visited multiple civil rights museums on my road trip. I’ve learned so much and have enjoyed the variety of ways information is shared. The consistent theme of not forgetting our history to hopefully influence the future is loud and clear. More importantly, it takes action to enable change, not just words.

Greenwood Rising Black Wall Street History Center in Tulsa, OK. This museum focused on the successful enclave of Black business until the Tulsa Race Massacre in 1921. The barbershop immersive experience was my favorite installation and I loved how the museum did not shy away from the difficult questions and demanded a call to action.

Mississippi Civil Rights Museum in Jackson, MS. The focus was 1945-1970 civil rights in Mississippi. The building that housed the museum was the most impressive of all the museums I visited. I liked how the information was divided into eight galleries with an atrium in the middle. The most impactful thing for me in this museum was meeting Hezekiah Watkins and hearing his story. Since then, I’ve read a ton about the Freedom Riders and their impressive courage. I am reminded that chance meetings can be so influential.

Martin Luther King National Historical Park in Atlanta, GA. The quintessential Ebenezer Baptist Church was the highlight here. The park ranger was knowledgeable and informative. Even though the church has been replaced with a newer version across the street, one cannot beat all the history in the original place. The park includes the church, MLK’s birth home, visitor center and Freedom Hall. With this park being free, there is no excuse to not visit.

The Legacy Sites in Montgomery, AL. The stellar campus (three different sites) is an incredible mix of history, stories and art. What sets this museum apart is how it is much more than just a museum but instead truly an immersive experience. The boat ride down the river to the Freedom Monument was the exact method slaves were transported and the land that the Freedom Monument sat on was where they were sold. The powerful stories about lynchings told at the National Monument for Peace and Justice lingered with me. The entire day was intended to be thought provoking and it was. And the admission price of five dollars is unbelievable.

National Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta, GA. This museum surprised me. First, I really liked how the museum seamlessly combined civil rights with human rights. The lunch counter sit-in was one of the most powerful experiences. Don’t miss this museum