With all the excitement about the new Martin Luther King Memorial in Washington DC, families should not miss an opportunity to visit "his" museum: The National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee. Each winter, this fascinating collection runs several special family programs in honor of Dr. King and African American History Month.

Struggle against injustice is deeply rooted in the African-American experience. It is an experience of tragedy and violence, but also one of courage, strength, determination, and hope. It should be told and retold to ensure that the struggles, triumphs, and mistakes of the past can guide the future.

The National Civil Rights Museum Commemorates King's Work

The National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee was opened in 1991 with this belief in mind.

The original museum housed over 10,000-square-feet of permanent exhibits and more than doubled in size a decade later.  Now there's a detailed time line of the Civil Rights movement from the 1950's and 1960's as well as the exhibit "Exploring the Legacy" which chronicles events since Dr. King's assassination.

With the annual King Day Celebration held each January on the Federal holiday, and new theme exhibits for National Black History Month established each February, winter is a perfect time to explore this treasure. The Tennessee climate is relatively mild, too, and there are lots of fun family activities in Memphis.

Throughout the summer, there are frequent concerts and performing arts held at the museum. Special lectures and displays are scheduled throughout the year, but another good time to visit is during autumn, when the Freedom Award ceremony is held. Past honorees have included Coretta Scott King, Rosa Parks, Barbara Jordan, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, former US President Jimmy Carter, Elie Wiesel, Yitzhak Rabin, and Andrew Young.

Remember Dr. King's Death in April

Additionally each April, the legacy of Dr. King, Jr. is commemorated on the anniversary of his April 4, 1968, assassination at the Lorraine Motel. The National Civil Rights Museum is actually located in the former Lorraine Motel and in nearby buildings, including the Main Street Rooming House from which the fatal shot was allegedly fired.

The museum brings this history to life, making for a very powerful experience. It engages visitors of every age with programs in the auditorium, a courtyard for dramatic presentations, a changing gallery, a gift shop, and staff offices. The comprehensive and educational overview of the civil rights movement is provided by the collections, research, and public learning programs.

Some notable sections include Jim Crow Laws; Voices of Struggle; Booker T Washington; Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka; Little Rock; the Montgomery Bus Boycott; Students Sit-Ins; and the March on Washington and much more.

This is just a sampling of many parents' memories waiting to be sparked, while children have a fascinating history to explore.

Visiting the Civil Rights Movement in Memphis

Memphis is a wonderful city with great food, music, attractions and accommodations in all price ranges.  The Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau is a local resource for information on other sites that chronicle the African-American experience, and they promote seasonal specials at several hotels.

The National Civil Rights Museum (901/521-9699) is located at 450 Mulberry Street Memphis, TN 38103 and is open daily except Tuesday, from 9am-5pm. On Sunday it opens from 1pm-5pm and during summer, remains open till 6pm. Admission is $13/adults, $11/seniors and students with ID, $9.50/children (4-17), under 4 free. Monday afternoon, from 3pm till closing, the museum is open free to Tennessee residents.

Those unable to visit the museum in person can take an interactive tour of the museum at Civil Rights Museum web site, which highlights permanent exhibits, using still images and panoramic views.