I had two 'musts' when coming to Memphis and they were satisfied today.
The first King we were to learn about was the great Martin Luther King, Jr. at the National Civil Rights Museum, a complex of museums and historic buildings.
Its exhibits trace the history of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States from the 17th century to the present. The museum is built around the former Lorraine Motel, where Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968. It was eye opening.
The museum offers 260 artifacts, more than 40 new films, oral histories, interactive media and external listening posts that guide visitors through five centuries of history — from the beginning of the resistance during slavery, through the Civil War and Reconstruction, the rise of Jim Crow, and the seminal events of the late 20th century that inspired people around the world to stand up for equality. I got to ride on the bus with Rosa Parks. What an amazing place.
Upon his death, Martin Luther King's room was preserved as it was the evening he died. It was an emotional and powerful exhibit.
Across the street is the Legacy Building, the boarding house from where the assassin’s shot was allegedly fired with an extensive display about the murderer.
This is a sad history that we should all know. What a meaningful stop for us. Mr. King said it best, "A man who won't die for something is not fit to live." Wow.
Elvis's home was our next stop.
Elvis, the King of Rock & Roll, is one of those people you don't really need to explain and his home is pretty much the same. A tour however, shed a great deal of light on the man and we left with a new appreciation of his humanness.
The Sahara in Tahoe was one of his favorite venues. We were excited to see it represented here.
Graceland, built in 1939, was the first site related to rock and roll to be entered in the National Register of Historic Places. It is where Elvis died and is his final resting place.
Memphis experienced the end of two Kings and we were fortunate to spend the day in their memory. Thank you, thank you very much!
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2 comments:
Yep! Two kings. Great reference. It looks like a busy day. And a busy week! Or has it been a month already? Based on your travels it is hard to tell!
Well, you had a dream in Memphis, and you accomplished it.
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Love. love this part of your journey! One of these days we will get to Memphis, been to Nashville several times but never to Memphis! What a powerful sight to see both locations. Cannot wait to hear all about it! So, so soon! Safe travels!! it is almost Sunday! Hooray!
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