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Photo by Jim Weber
Visitors to the National Civil Rights Museum spot where the fatal bullet came from that Killed Dr. Martin Luther King during a free day for visitors to the museum Sunday afternoon sponsored by Target on July 18, 2010.
By Emily Greenberg - The Commercial Appeal -
Monday, July 19, 2010
Thousands of visitors flocked to the National Civil Rights Museum on Sunday to take advantage of free admission and hands-on activities as part of the Target Arts & Wonder Free Family Event.
The National Civil Rights Museum was one of 80 cultural and art institutions in 30 cities chosen by the retailer for the weekend event. The Memphis event also included a reception and two films about apartheid sponsored by Indie Memphis.
"It's just really important to Memphis," said Jim Tomassi, store team leader of the Cordova Super Target, explaining why the museum was chosen. "What better place to call out Memphis?"
Many visitors said the Sunday event gave them an opportunity to experience the museum with family. In the first hour alone, the museum recorded more than 800 visitors; the daily total was 1,848 guests. Typically, the museum welcomes 500 to 600 visitors on a Sunday during the summer, said Barbara Andrews, the museum's director of education.
Lethola Walton came with her husband and five out-of-town grandchildren. She said she remembers seeing people living in tents as part of Tent City, which is included in part of the exhibit.
"I want (my grandchildren) to experience what I experienced as a child and how far we've come," said Walton.
"No matter how many times I've been here, I've always been touched," said Karla Randle-Jackson, a Memphis City Schools teacher who came with her daughter, 14, and niece, 16.
Her daughter, Mikayla Jackson, said she has visited the museum three times, concentrating on different displays each visit. She said it's "shocking" to see what black citizens had to go through to gain civil rights.
"I learned a lot about ... the things my people went through," said Dondre Dobbins, 15, a first-time visitor who came with his friend, Monterreo Whitfield, 14.
Throughout the year, Target sponsors 2,200 free events and reduced-price performances at more than 120 museums and cultural organizations nationwide.
In Memphis, Target sponsors "pay what you can" days every Wednesday at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art.
In November, Target will host anther Family Free Day at the National Civil Rights Museum.
