Visit the Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel

Visit

Visit

Hours

Monday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Thursday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Closed EVERY Tuesday

Summer Extended Hours are 9:00am to 6:00pm from the Friday prior to Memorial Day until Labor Day.

ADMISSION

Adult $16.00
Seniors & Students w/ID $14.00
Children 5–17 years $13.00
4 and under Free
Members, Active U.S. Military


Free

Membership

National Civil
Rights Museum
450 Mulberry Street
Memphis, TN 38103
(901) 521-9699

Tennessee residents with state-issued ID may visit the museum for free on Mondays from 3 p.m. until closing. (Not applicable for tour groups and operators. Not available on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, April 4th, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day or Veterans’ Day.)

Groups of 20 or more are eligible for admission rate discounts if scheduling at least two weeks in advance.

Active military members with ID may visit the museum for free.

Discounts are available for American Alliance of Museum Members.

Rates and hours are subject to change. Call (901) 521-9699

Museum Holidays

The museum and administrative offices are closed on the following holidays:

  • New Year's Day
  • Easter Sunday
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Christmas Eve
  • Christmas Day

The museum is open on the following holidays, however administrative offices are closed:

  • Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
  • Memorial Day
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day

“There is no such force in the world as the force of a person determined to rise. The human soul cannot be permanently chained.”

—W.E.B. DuBois

Find Us

Get directions

 

The National Civil Rights Museum is located at 450 Mulberry Street, Memphis, TN 38103. We are in the heart of the South Main District in downtown Memphis.

Free parking is available for museum guests. To enter the visitor lot, turn north on Mulberry Street from G.E. Patterson Avenue.

View Common Routes

From Interstate I-40 East (Nashville):

  • Take I-40 to I-240 North to Little Rock, Exit 10B.
  • Follow I-240 until it divides, staying in left lanes, take I-40 West to Little Rock
  • Go west to Second St. Downtown, Exit 1A (Second St. Exit veers left going south through Downtown)
  • Take Second St. to G.E. Patterson Blvd.
  • Make a right on G.E. Patterson Blvd.
  • Make a right on Mulberry St.

From Interstate I-40 West (Little Rock):

  • Take I-40 to the Riverside Dr., Downtown, Exit 1.
  • Take Riverside to Beale St., make a left
  • Make next right onto Front St.
  • Take Front to G.E. Patterson Blvd.
  • Make a left on G.E. Patterson Blvd.
  • Make a left on Mulberry St.

From Mississippi, Whitehaven (via I-55 Interstate):

  • Follow I-55 toward St. Louis
  • Keep straight until I-55 turns into Riverside Dr.
  • Make first right at W. Carolina Ave. (gas station at the corner)
  • Take Carolina to South Main, turn left on South Main
  • Take South Main to G.E. Patterson Blvd.
  • Make a right on G.E. Patterson Blvd.
  • Take G.E. Patterson to Mulberry St.
  • Make a left on Mulberry St.

Plan Your Visit

The National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel is a very special experience that takes visitors through centuries of history. Visitors begin within the original Lorraine Motel structure and continue through the Legacy exhibits within the Young & Morrow and Boarding House buildings across Mulberry Street.  Guests should allow at least two hours for a quality visit and experience.

Camera/video & Media Policy

Photography within the museum exhibitions is permitted as long as NO FLASH is used. Guests are invited to post images of museum experiences to our social media pages.

Media personnel, photojournalists and bloggers must be credentialed at least 48 hours in advance.  Send requests to the communications office at (901) 521-9699 ext. 2292 or cdyson@civilrightsmuseum.org

Family Guide

The National Civil Rights Museum seeks to open a dialogue about the story of African Americans who experienced and resisted discrimination — a history that spans slavery through the modern Civil Rights Movement, nonviolent protests to armed self-defense. To reveal the full story, the museum contains sensitive materials that may be frightening or troubling to children and adolescents. Review our family guide for suggestions on ways to discuss sensitive topics with young visitors.

Security Screenings

All guests entering the National Civil Rights Museum are subject to a screening process.  The National Civil Rights Museum reserves the right to inspect all guest’s packages, purses, backpacks, fanny packs and other bags prior to entering the museum. Sharp objects more than 2.5 inches long, weapons and illegal contraband will not be permitted in the museum. Please leave and secure any unnecessary articles in your vehicle to expedite your entry.  Oversize bags brought into the museum must be checked with security.  Animals are not allowed in the museum, except for service animals.

Group Reservations

Groups of 20 or more are eligible for a discounted admissions rate.

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Facility Rental

The museum is an exceptional location for your convention, meeting, or corporate holiday party.

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Visitor FAQs

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