Letter from the President
National Civil Rights Museum Op-Ed Dr. Russ Wigginton, President Two hundred and fifty years ago, a group of men signed a document that made an audacious claim: that all men are created equal, endowed with unalienable…
Program Write-up
Wouldn’t the world be a whole lot less interesting if Memphis wasn’t in it? That’s how Chairman’s Circle investor Russ Wigginton describes his passion for Memphis, the hometown he eventually chose after he came here to…
Letter from the President
National Civil Rights Museum Op-Ed Dr. Russ Wigginton, President There’s a quiet power in standing in a place where history happened. And in Memphis, there are few spaces more sacred than the ground outside the National…
Statement / Announcement
The National Civil Rights Museum is proud to announce the distinguished honorees for the 34th Freedom Award, recognizing their exceptional contributions to civil and human rights. The Museum’s signature event, the…
Letter from the President
National Civil Rights Museum Op-Ed Dr. Russ Wigginton, President On August 6, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act (VRA), one of the most consequential victories in American history.
Letter from the President
Photo credit: Historic Clayborn Temple National Civil Rights Museum Op-Ed Dr. Russ Wigginton, President The recent fire that consumed Clayborn Temple is a devastating blow, not only to Memphis but to the nation.
Historical Feature
On March 16, 2025, the National Civil Rights Museum proudly celebrates the 100th birthday of A.W. Willis, Jr., a trailblazing attorney, businessman, and civil rights leader who dedicated his life to justice and equality.
Letter from the President
By Dr. Russ Wigginton Guest Columnist Every vote counts, every voice matters, and we must ensure that all Americans (especially young and marginalized people) are fully engaged in the democratic process.
Historical Feature
The National Civil Rights Museum joins the world in mourning the passing of President Jimmy Carter. A giant among leaders and a true example of the highest ideals of public service, President Carter’s legacy will…
Historical Feature
This post contains mature language. April is National Jazz Appreciation Month. Jazz remains a highly celebrated art form and inspires artists in other genres to this day. Jazz music had a critical role in the Civil…
Historical Feature
In a 1961 strategy meeting, members of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) gather in Alabama to discuss their next moves.
Historical Feature
Photographs taken at the Lorraine Motel on April 4, 1968, have indelibly etched our museum’s landmark in America’s collective memory. These famous images were taken in the midst of the chaos that ensued after Dr.