National Civil Rights Museum
Wreath marks where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis
Equality Has Come Far, Just Not Far Enough
Plan Your Visit | Destinations | Museums
The National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel in downtown Memphis is where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated outside Room 306 in April 1968.
I wanted to visit the museum for some time, but somehow my previous drives through Memphis had me on a schedule and I was unable to stop. Driving home from my November 2021 trip up north, I made it to Memphis after a smooth drive from West Virginia (aided, of course, by the hour I gained after my return into U.S. Central time).
Knowing I would make it home to Austin later that night, I arrived when it opened so I would have time to catch the highlights. I believe visiting is important for everyone because the museum reminds us of the dangers of becoming complacent when it comes to our rights. The museum provides additional information about the Lorraine Motel and the museum’s history.
In addition to giving us the opportunity to pay our respects at the spot King was killed, the museum’s permanent exhibits provide history on the civil rights movement from the 17th-century slave trade, the advancement of civil rights in the 1950s-1960s and present-day challenges.
From the museum’s parking lot, you walk by the front of the Lorraine Motel, where you see the wreath placed at the approximate site Dr. King was standing when he was shot. The two vintage cars in front, a 1959 Dodge and 1968 Cadillac, are replicas of the cars parked there that day.
After entering, the museum presented a short film I felt helped provide more context to better enjoy the exhibits. Since my time was limited and I really wanted to get to the motel exhibit, I admit I went through the museum a bit faster than I normally do. However, I drive through Memphis frequently, so I figured I will visit again.
From the museum, you head over to the Room 306 – King’s Last Hours Exhibit from inside the Lorraine Motel, which provides a view of Room 306 where Dr. King stayed. You can view the actual spot he was killed from another window in the exhibit.
Though King’s legacy endures today, we still have forces in the world today who fight to go back to a time when they enjoyed privilege. Dr. King provided the most effective blueprint for achieving this by use of nonviolent protest. Ultimately, Dr. King believed a unified labor force would be most effective in combating poverty and advancing opportunity for everyone.
