R. Gino Santa Maria
Going to museums can be a great way to teach and spend time with kids on days off or during school breaks. Luckily the city of Memphis just made going to local museums a lot easier. On Tuesday, Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris and a coalition of local museums and historical sites launched the 901 Student Passport program. The program allows school-age children and their parents to visit local historical sites and museums around the city for free.
“Arts, history, and culture are critical to the fabric of our community,” says Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris. “We want to support museums and galleries, expose our virtual learners to cultural experiences, and ensure that more residents have an opportunity to enjoy the arts, even during a pandemic. Each of these locations is a cultural asset in our community. They have all taken additional steps to ensure the safe operation of their facilities, and they are all ready to welcome our youth and their parents.”
Under the pass, students will gain access to the following local museums and galleries:
• Fire Museum of Memphis
• Pink Palace Museum
• National Civil Rights Museum
• Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum
• Lichterman Nature Center
• Dixon Gallery and Gardens
• Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum.
All school-age children living in Shelby County will be able to download and print their student passports from the 901 Student Passport website or by picking up a free passport from their local library. Students will not be barred from participating due to their school district. Each passport entitles students and parents one free visit to each location, and students who complete their passports by receiving a stamp following their visit will receive a special reward from Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris.