Nat'l Civil Rights Museum Begins 20th Year

 MEMPHIS, TN  -- In September 1991 the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, TN added another page in civil rights history. The historic site where Civil Rights leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968 opened its doors as the National Civil Rights Museum.

Twenty years and over 3 million visitors later, the Museum continues to fulfill its mission of educating and inspiring the masses who visit to see America's Civil Rights history documented in the 36, 000 square feet of exhibit space. To celebrate the Museum's twenty years of Connecting People and History the Museum is launching several campaigns and special events:

First major renovation is being planned to expand exhibits, increase visitor amenities.

$20for20 campaign, $1 dollar for each year of operation, for a $20 donation

1991 Birthday celebration. People born in 1991 will receive a 20% discount on museum admission through the end of 2011

Freedom Award Ceremony to honor those for Activism, Education, Medicine/Healthcare, Humanitarianism, Philanthropy, Media/Film, Sports Community Action, Legal Justice and Icons of the American Civil Rights Movement. This is the first time the slate of honorees has been expanded beyond three people. The Freedom Award ceremony will be held on November 12, 2011.

Endowment campaign will preserve and fund the Museum's educational and historical programming

Museum President Beverly Robertson said the milestone for the museum is a testament of support by the millions of visitors and loyal corporate sponsors. "For twenty years we have received and yet been able to give back on a global level to so many who support and believe in our mission of educating and inspiring every man, woman and child about this nations civil rights history. We invite the world to share in our celebration for the entire year."

The Museum was the first US site to house the International Peace Flame and is accredited by the American Association of Museums.