On the national holiday, January 20, the National Civil Rights Museum will remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a special celebration. The museum is open extended hours and King Day admission will be free for all guests, thanks to the support of FedEx.

Dr. King realized the importance of representation as a young leader during the Prayer for Pilgrimage in 1957 when he stated, “Give us the ballot, and we will no longer have to worry the federal government about our basic rights.” The year 2020 is an important election and U.S. Census year, and the museum is participating in the efforts to help ensure every person is counted and fairly represented.

On King Day, the museum will collaborate with organizations to offer voter education, empowerment and registration. This year represents a critical presidential election year, the 150th anniversary of the 15th Amendment granting freedmen the right to vote and the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment that guaranteed American women the right to vote.

The museum is also hosting agencies with resources to inform guests about the U.S. Census 2020 including privacy protections, the census’ impact on congressional and state legislative district boundaries, and how government funds are allocated for vital programs that affect the quality of life in communities.

“2020 is an important year,” said Museum President Terri Lee Freeman. “First, it is our opportunity to ensure that we get appropriate representation in Congress by completing a count or census of the nation's residents. Second, it is a federal election year, so registering people to vote is critically important. It is also the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment extending voting rights to women. We plan to make factual information available to our guests at King Day about the Census and voting rights. We are thankful to FedEx that, through their sponsorship of free admission, we can get these messages to the thousands of visitors with us for King Day,” she said.

“At FedEx, we believe that when we connect people and possibilities, we can change the world,” shared Shannon Brown, senior vice president, Eastern Division U.S. Operations and Chief Diversity Officer, FedEx Express. "We are proud to support free public admission to the National Civil Rights Museum and help thousands of visitors connect with Dr. King’s legacy and leave inspired to drive positive changes of their own.”

Other King Day sponsors include the U.S. Census Bureau, Caesars Foundation, Central BBQ, Starbucks, Tennessee Arts Commission, City of Memphis, Momentum Nonprofit Partners, University of Tennessee Health and Science Center, AARP and Urban Child Institute. A host of businesses are providing in-kind donations, and several corporations and organizations have committed to serve as volunteers at the museum on King Day.

“King Day 2020 promises to be an exciting event for people of all ages. Our new Pavilion will provide families the opportunity to learn and celebrate Dr. King’s legacy,” said Dr. Noelle Trent, the museum’s Director of Interperation, Collections and Education and who is managing the King Day event.

KING DAY HIGHLIGHTS:

On Monday, January 20, the museum is open from 8:00am to 6:00pm. The museum will have abbreviated hours Sunday, January 19, from 11:30am to 5:00pm in preparation for Monday.

Included in the tour is the new installment of the From the Vault, an exhibit featuring newly acquired photos, fine art and artifacts from the museum’s Collections vault that are rarely displayed. The exhibit is open January 17 – April 2020.

A full day of activities include: Main Stage performances with Soulsville Charter School Choir, Grizzlies Drumline, spoken word artist Writeous Soul and vocalist Karen Brown; a Pavilion that houses children’s activities such as storytelling, puppeteers, face-painting, balloon animals, along with community resources about the U.S. Census, voter registration & education, Real ID and organizations; and Celebration Row on Mulberry Street with social engagement, trivia contest with prizes and more.

There will be street closures around the museum campus perimeter from 6:00am to 6:00pm on the holiday. Limited paid parking is available at The Westin Memphis Beale Street garage, The Central Station and Malco Powerhouse Cinema.

For the annual food drive benefitting the Mid-South Food Bank, the museum is requesting canned good donations to help feed hungry families in the area. Those who donate receive $2 off a future museum visit in 2020.

The museum is continuing its annual blood drive with Vitalant (formerly Lifeblood) to help with the seasonal blood shortage. Anyone donating blood will receive express admission on King Day for up to four people, plus additional free admission on a future visit in 2020 for up to four people.

For more information about the King Day at the National Civil Rights Museum, visit kingday.org. The event hashtag is #KingDay2020.