Photos courtesy National Civil Rights Museum
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is approaching, and on Monday, January 21st, National Civil Rights Museum celebrates what would be King’s 90th birthday by offering free admission (in exchange for a canned food donation to Mid-South Food Bank) and daylong activities.
From 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., families will have the opportunity to view the museum’s newest exhibit, Without Regard to Sex, Race or Color: The Past, Present and Future of One Historically Black College, which takes a look at Morris Brown College and the contrast between campus life in its prime compared to its current state of decline. Visitors will also be able to explore permanent exhibitions that include A Culture of Resistance: Slavery in America 1619–1861 and Standing Up By Sitting Down: Student Sit-Ins 1960.
Alongside the educational exhibits, children will get to participate in edutainment activities in the Children’s Activity Tent and Home Depot Arts & Crafts Tent.
“Children are never too young to learn about compassion, empathy, and courage. These are some of the traits that Dr. King demonstrated, which children can easily recognize and admire,” says Dory Lerner, museum educator for the Civil Rights Museum. “As we remember Dr. King’s 90th birthday and participate in activities like creating protests signs, designing a commemorative stamp in Dr. King’s honor, taking part in a Children’s March, or playing music and dancing with other youth from around the Mid-South, children can realize their potential to be activists. Celebrating Dr. King’s life and legacy of serving communities and standing up for peace and equality is an exciting way to bring people together and empower youth.”
In the children’s tent, kids will also be able to enjoy entertainment from live performers, including Sue Schnitzer, the Singing Librarian; Joe Murphy, Music for Aardvarks; Ekpe Abioto, African Drummer; and musician McKenna Bray.
The main stage will feature performances by Southwind High School’s Concert Choir, Atlanta Young Singers, Shelby County School’s latest talk show Str8 Up 901, The Susan Marshall Band, and Will Graves and Soul.
In lieu of a canned food donation, visitors may make a blood donation to blood collection service Vitalant in exchange for free admission for four people on King Day as well as any other day in 2019.
Free admission on MLK Day is sponsored by FedEx. Other sponsors include Caesars Foundation, The Starbucks Foundation, Tennessee Arts Commission, and University of Tennessee Health Science Center.
For more information about King Day, click here.
Angie & Ike Photography