Civil Rights Movement (United States): Tennessee Points of Interest

Learn about the inspiring stories of Americans who fought for racial equality.

Tennessee makes for an exciting travel itinerary not just for its choice attractions, world-renowned entertainment and unique vibe, but also for its historical significance. Tennessee, like most Southern states, faced many obstacles in the struggle for equality. Experience the legacy of the people, places and events that defined the Civil Rights Movement in the state by exploring historic sites such as Clark Memorial United Methodist Church in Nashville, the Green McAdoo Cultural Center and Clinton 12 statues in Clinton, and the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis featuring the Lorraine Motel, the site of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination.

Authored by students in Professor Eckelmann Berghel’s Modern Civil Rights Struggle class in the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) Department of History in Fall 2018, this exhibit explores the integration in the public schools and UTC, youth activism, Black Power, and white opposition in Chattanooga during the Civil Rights Movement.

Located in an area once dubbed as the city’s black enterprise zone, (the famed 9th Street District) now known as M.L. King Boulevard, the museum’s original goal was to present the many contributions African Americans made to the development of Chattanooga.

When it comes to civil rights, it’s important not only to learn about historical milestones but also to interpret them in a way that can be applied to today’s challenges. Through multi-sensory and multi-media innovations, historical artifacts and structures, events, speakers and online resources, the National Civil Rights Museum champions educational programming and offers visitors a full immersion experience.

The Civil Rights Room is an exhibit and research space at the Main Library.