National Civil Rights Museum

The National Civil Rights Museum is a memorial site at 450 Mulberry Street in Memphis, housed in a former motel that documents the civil rights movement from the 17th century to the present day. The exhibition spaces spread across multiple buildings, including the original lodging structure and an administrative building across the street, connected through display cases, panels, and interactive stations.

The motel was built in 1925 as a residential house and began renting rooms to travelers in the 1940s who could not find lodging elsewhere in Memphis. The conversion into a museum began in 1991, three years after a foundation purchased the property and planned the renovation.

The institution preserves the white-framed windows and neon signage exactly as they appeared when guests checked into the lodging during the 1960s. Visitors walking along the first-floor balcony stand in the same spot where journalists and companions gathered after the shots were fired.

The gallery opens from Wednesday through Monday, typically starting in the late morning, and closes entirely on Tuesdays. Visitors with limited mobility will find ramps and elevators that access all floors, though some exhibition areas occupy tighter spaces.

The parking lot in front of the balcony still holds the Cadillac that Dr. King had rented for the evening of April 4. A few steps away, an exhibition displays the rifle confiscated during the arrest of the shooter, along with evidence from the subsequent trial.

Location: Memphis

Inception: 1920

Fee: Yes

Address: Mulberry Street

Opening Hours: Wednesday-Monday 09:00-05:00

Website: http://civilrightsmuseum.org

GPS coordinates: 35.13450,-90.05760

Latest update: December 12, 2025 22:17