My District: Is Home to the National Civil Rights Museum.

• Author: Caley, Nora

By Nora Caley | Feb. 17, 2022 | State Legislatures News

"My District" gives NCSL members a chance to tell us about life in the places they represent, from high-profile events to fun facts only locals know.

The National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tenn., lives in the former Lorraine Motel, where civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968. The site is far more than a memorial, though: It is a cultural institution whose mission is to share the lessons from the American civil rights movement.

The Lorraine stopped housing guests in 1988 and the building reopened as a museum three years later. The exhibitions include Room 306, where King spent his final hours; a bus with audio that tells the story of the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott; and an original lunch counter with video and audio describing the sit-ins. The complex also includes vehicles such as a sanitation truck (King had come to Memphis to support AFSCME sanitation workers) and a replica of a burned Freedom Riders bus.

Renovations in 2013 and '14 added films, oral histories and interactive media.

We caught up with Rep. Barbara Ward Cooper (D-District 86) and Sen. Raumesh Akbari (D-District 29) to talk about the museum, where Akbari also serves on the board of directors.

What does the National Civil Rights Museum mean for your district?

Akbari: The National Civil Rights Museum is an absolute treasure for the city of Memphis. It's a destination with immense historical value, real-life lessons and emotional weight. The museum is also a magnet for tourism. Before the pandemic hit, the museum was attracting more than 300,000 visitors a year and showing growth. The staff has done an incredible job adjusting to our new reality without compromising the visitor experience, and we're beginning to see more and more people come back or tour for the first time.

Cooper: The citizens of my district see the National Civil Rights Museum as the epicenter of the civil rights movement. The tragedy of Dr. King's death still resonates, and I am so proud of this museum honoring not only his life, but keeping alive the legacy of everyday people who are inspired by his mission and uphold his legacy.

What is your favorite exhibit at the museum?

Akbari: The...