On July 26th, Mayor Lee Harris kicked off the “901 Student Passport” program with a celebration event, hosted on Civic Center Plaza and at the Vasco A. Smith Jr. Administration Building. The “901 Student Passport” program allows Shelby County’s school-aged children and their families free admission to nine historic sites and cultural institutions through November 30, 2022.
The kickoff event provided a taste of exhibits from many of the participating institutions. Through the duration of the program, a one-page “passport” can be downloaded by visiting 901StudentPassport.com.
“Through the ‘901 Student Passport,’ we’re making it easy and free for students to visit some of our community’s most important cultural institutions, learn more about this great community, and instill community pride,” said Mayor Lee Harris in a press release. “Our community has been at the epicenter of some of the most pivotal moments in our nation’s history. It is a place where innovators are free to create. We’re the home of the blues and the birthplace of rock-and-roll. Our Civil Rights-era roots inspired the activism we’re known for today. It’s imperative that our youth have access to these stories of resilience, endurance, innovation, and triumph.”
The participating museums and galleries are:
Fire Museum of Memphis,
Museum of Science & History (formerly the Pink Palace Museum),
National Civil Rights Museum,
Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum,
Lichterman Nature Center,
Dixon Gallery and Gardens,
Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum,
Metal Museum.
“We know that at our museum, visitors are exposed to a part of American and local history that won’t be taught in many classrooms,” said Elaine Lee Turner, director of Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum. “We teach about our country’s dark past and about the people who still found ways to triumph. There are so many worthy museums in our city. I am honored that ours was chosen to be part of the original ‘901 Student Passport’ program, and I’m happy that Mayor Harris continues to keep this wonderful program alive.”
For more information, visit shelbycountytn.gov/3783/Memphis-Shelby-Countys-901-Student-Passp