National Center for Civil and Human Rights facts for kids
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The center in 2015
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| Established | 23 June 2014 |
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| Location | Atlanta, Georgia, USA |
| Collections | Papers and writings from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. |
| Public transit access | Dome/GWCC (W1) or Civic Center (N2) (MARTA); Centennial Olympic Park (Atlanta Streetcar) |
| Nearest parking | Adjacent garages for Georgia Aquarium and World of Coca-Cola (pay) |
The National Center for Civil and Human Rights is a museum in downtown Atlanta, Georgia. It opened on June 23, 2014. This museum teaches visitors about the important achievements of the civil rights movement in the United States. It also highlights the wider worldwide human rights movement.
History of the Center
The idea for the center came from several important leaders. These included Evelyn G. Lowery, Juanita Abernathy, former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young, and Representative John Lewis. They were all part of the movement to gain equal rights for African-Americans in the 1960s.
Planning the Museum
In 2001, Evelyn Lowery met with Mayor Shirley Franklin. The mayor liked the idea of a museum honoring Atlanta's civil rights history. However, the city had money problems, so she could not help much at first.
The group met again in 2005. This time, the mayor fully supported the project. The center was officially set up in 2007.
Designing the Building
In 2009, five different architecture companies showed their designs. The center chose a design by Architect Philip Freelon. His plan was for a 90,000-square-foot (8,400 m2) museum.
The land for the museum was 2.5-acre (1.0 ha) and was given by the Coca-Cola Company. It is located at Pemberton Place, right next to three popular places: the Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coca-Cola, and Centennial Olympic Park.
Overcoming Challenges
Building the museum faced some delays. Because of the Great Recession, it was harder to raise money than expected. Support from companies like Delta Air Lines and people like Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank came slowly.
In October 2010, the center's CEO, Doug Shipman, announced a delay. The museum's opening was pushed back to 2013. In March 2011, the plans were changed. The museum's size was reduced to 63,000 square feet (5,900 m2) to save money. However, the main exhibit space stayed the same size at 30,000 square feet (2,800 m2).
Construction Begins
In December 2011, the center decided to build the museum in three stages. The first stage, which was 35,000-square-foot (3,300 m2), began construction in June 2012. It was planned to open by Memorial Day 2014. This change was partly because they might lose $28.5 million in funds if construction did not start by June 2012.
The groundbreaking ceremony finally happened on June 27, 2012. Many important people attended, including Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and former mayors Franklin and Young.
New Leadership
On January 30, 2019, Jill Savitt was named the new CEO of the center. She started her role on March 11, 2019. Before this, she worked at the Simon-Skjodt Center for the Prevention of Genocide at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.
Museum Exhibits
The center has many exhibits, both permanent and temporary. These exhibits tell the story of the civil rights movement in the United States. They also show how that history connects to human rights struggles around the world today.
The museum has three main permanent exhibits. Visitors can usually see them all in about 75 minutes.
Voice to the Voiceless: The Morehouse College Martin Luther King, Jr. Collection
This exhibit features personal items that belonged to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.. In 2006, King's family decided to sell some of his letters and papers. Mayor Franklin worked to buy them for $32 million. Now, Morehouse College owns the collection, and the center can display it.
The exhibit shares King's life story, from his childhood to his death. It includes important papers like early versions of his famous "Letter from Birmingham Jail" and his "Drum Major Instinct" sermon.
Rolls Down Like Water: The American Civil Rights Movement
This is an interactive exhibit. It starts by showing examples of segregation in the United States. This includes Jim Crow laws and "whites only" signs. These laws forced people of different races to be separate.
The exhibit was designed by George C. Wolfe, a famous playwright. It is divided into sections, each focusing on a key event in the civil rights movement. One example is Brown vs. Board of Education, a court case that ended segregation in schools.
Many parts of this exhibit are interactive. One popular part is a recreation of a lunch counter sit-in. Visitors can sit at the counter and wear headphones. The headphones play sounds that make you feel like you are there, hearing the insults and threats that activists faced.
Spark of Conviction: The Global Human Rights Movement
This exhibit is different because it does not follow a straight timeline. It shows images of dictators, like Adolf Hitler, who harmed many people. It then shows pictures of modern-day activists. These activists work to improve conditions for women and LGBT individuals around the world.
One activity in this exhibit is called "Who Like Me." Visitors can choose a trait, like their religion or gender. The exhibit then shows them a person who is being treated unfairly in their home country because of that same trait.
Building Design
The design of the center's building was created by Architect Philip Freelon with help from HOK.
See also
