Visiting the National Civil Rights Museum

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” MLK, Jr; Strength to Love. . Main Memphis detour purpose: the Lorraine Motel. We’ve read about Dr. King, visited his house last week in Atlanta, saw the site of his Montgomery speeches… and now where his life ended. . The Lorraine Hotel in Memphis is now the National Civil Rights Museum, a very high-tech, superbly done experience. Starting at the start of slavery, you move forward in time through video, placards, and replicas to MLK’s involvement in the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s. We spent about two hours there - and that’s including skipping over some. . Honestly, if you haven’t already read and introduced your family to the big events, start there at home and hold off on coming for a bit longer. We’ve done quite a bit of studying… so Brown vs Board of Education and the sit-ins and The March on Washington meant something to us. It was just adding extra info to our base knowledge. Without that base, it would be overwhelming to try to take in so much new stuff at once I think. . Not to mention it’s a site that demands a level of respect for sure - this is not a hands-on kid museum. I hope the impatience of some of my kids didn’t lessen that for the few other visitors today. Their mom and sister like to dawdle too much at times. . There are so many beautiful picture books about all these events - we referenced them the whole visit. Ruby and Rosa and Greensboro and Harriet and Booker and Carver… I kept showing them our friends we’ve already met. Have I mentioned lately that you’re never too old for picture books? 😉 . And when you’re done filling your mind, go across the street and grab some Central BBQ. . Add this one to your Memphis bucket list for sure!