National Civil Rights Museum | At the Lorraine Motel

The Greatest Civil Rights Story Ever told

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This history is more important than ever.  We remain seriously committed to the safety of our guests and staff and to sharing the stories that changed our nation. We invite you to be a change maker. Schedule your visit the National Civil Rights Museum.

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  • hotel exterior

    This is the History Behind the Movement

    Slavery. Separate but equal. Boycotts. Assassinations. Black power. This is the history of the uprising that pushed national and international civil rights forward.

    Visit the Museum
  • NCRM events

    Museum Events. The Reawakening.

    Exciting events, extraordinary speakers and special guests turn civil rights history into a one-of-a-kind museum experience

    Be in the Moment
  • I Am A Man

    This Is The Story Of A People

    Of hopes and dreams, of challenge and change. It is an American story. This story and struggle that started many centuries ago, continues today — with you.

    Experience the Story

Museum Events

The Reckoning: Community Policiing and Accountability

"The Reckoning: Community Policing & Accountability" is one of three national convenings that culminate in a national symposium in 2024.  In this gathering, RowVaughn and Rodney Wells, the parents of Tyre Nichols, Attorney Benjamin Crump, and others will join us as we pursue justice for Tyre and actionable steps to thwart the chances of egregious police violence happening to more families.

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MLK55: Transforming Unjust Economic Systems

The National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel joins The King Center to present “MLK55: Transforming Unjust Economic Systems” in honor of Dr. King’s life and legacy on April 4, the 55th anniversary of his death. The collaboration will feature the organizations’ leaders, Dr. Bernice A. King and Dr. Russ Wigginton, and is moderated by Joy-Ann Reid, political analyst for MSNBC and host of “The ReidOut.”

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Remembering MLK: The Man. The Movement. The Moment

The National Civil Rights Museum presents a hybrid commemoration in honor of Dr. King’s life and legacy on the 54th anniversary of his death.  Guests are welcome to join us in paying tribute to Dr. King in the museum courtyard or via live stream. 

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Communities for Immunity

Through the Communities for Immunity project, the museum is sharing online resources and a survey to gauge response to the urgency of COVID and getting vaccinated. 

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Museum members receive complimentary visits, invitations to special events, gift shop discounts and other benefits.

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Featured Exhibits

Waddell Withers and Smith: A Requiem for King

Opening April 4, 2023, Waddell, Withers, & Smith: A Requiem for King honors the 55th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through the artwork of Memphis-based artists. Sculptor James Waddell, photographer Ernest Withers, and mixed media artist Dolph Smith explore their lives in segregated Memphis, the military, and coping in the aftermath of Dr. King’s death.

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Tarred Healing

Tarred Healing is a photographic exhibition showcasing images by award-winning Black photographer Cornell Watson. Through conceptual and documentary photography, the provocative display examines the intersections of racism, Confederate monuments, and the complex relationship between the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, its students, and the surrounding Black community. Open January 16 - March 20.

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Voices of the Civil Rights Movement

This walk-up kiosk combines two video archives into one interactive display. The exhibit runs for multiple years.

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From the Vault: Collections Blog

Check out the latest artifacts and photos From the Vault, our collections blog.

From the Vault

National Civil Rights Museum Blogs

There’s plenty of history in the making here at the National Civil Rights Museum.

Letter to the Community: Response to Video in the Murder of Tyre Nichols

LETTER TO THE COMMUNITY “Every man of humane convictions must decide on the protest that best suits his convictions, but we must all protest.” – Dr. Martin...

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Museum Statement on the death of Tyre Nichols

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”  – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The National Civil Rights Museum mourns another...

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Museum Statement on the Passing of Dr. Charles A. Champion

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Charles A. Champion, a community pillar, pharmacist, and master compounder of Champion’s Pharmacy and Herb Store...

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