Noted as one of the nation's premier heritage and cultural museums, the national civil rights museum in memphis, tennessee, is steadfast in its mission to share the culture and lessons from the american civil rights movement and explore how this significant era continues to shape equality and freedom globally.

Established in 1991, the national civil rights museum is located at the former lorraine motel, where civil rights leader dr. Martin luther king jr. Was assassinated on april 4, 1968. Through interactive exhibits, historic collections, dynamic speakers and special events, the museum offers visitors a chance to walk through history and learn more about a tumultuous and inspiring period of change.

To accommodate public demand for further educational opportunities, the museum underwent a $27.5 million renovation in 2013 and 2014, adding more than 40 new films, oral histories and interactive media to the already robust galleries. The result is a one-of-a-kind experience that has been featured on the history channel and cnn, in usa today and as the focus for the academy award-nominated documentary the witness: from the balcony of room 306.

Additionally, the museum is among the top 5% of institutions to be accredited by the american alliance of museums and is a founding member of the international coalition of sites of conscience, which brings together historic sites, museums and memory initiatives from all around the globe that connect past struggles to today’s movements for human rights and social justice.


Mission statement

The national civil rights museum, located at the lorraine motel, the assassination site of dr. Martin luther king jr., chronicles key episodes of the american civil rights movement, examines today's global civil and human rights issues, provokes thoughtful debate and serves as a catalyst for positive change.