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My family and I recently traveled to Montgomery, Alabama where we visited The Legacy Museum and The National Memorial for Peace and Justice. My husband is the one who told me about the museum and I’m so glad that he did. The Legacy Museum and The National Memorial for Peace and Justice are two separate locations however they are within walking distance (about 16 minutes) so you can purchase a combo ticket and visit both in the same day. We purchased a combo ticket and we thoroughly enjoyed visiting both locations.
The National Memorial for Peace and Justice
The Memorial closes earlier than the Museum so we visited the Memorial first. I’m not sure what I expected but I know I wasn’t prepared for all of the emotions that flowed through me as we toured. The campus is a large park-like setting where you can walk through and see the name of every known lynching victim in the United States. As you tour, you walk through various pillars representing each county in each state where a known lynching occurred. To see the names of so many victims lost as a result of so much hatred is heart-wrenching. My kids (ages 16 and 10) were in awe.
The Memorial was both moving and educational. The staff was super nice and readily available to answer any questions and to provide supplemental information. It was a memorable experience for sure.
The Legacy Museum
The Legacy Museum is actually named The Legacy Museum: From Enslavement to Mass Incarceration. The Museum is a self-guided tour that lasts approximately 3 hours. There is a ton of history shared and various mediums to teach it. Everything is very well done and you can see the amount of care and deliberation taken with each and every exhibit. My kids steadily moved from display to display sucking up so much important knowledge about their history.
The museum is both stunning and heartbreaking at the same time. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to take any pictures inside the museum because photography is prohibited. There is a green screen at the end where you can take a free souvenir picture. There is also an adjoining gift store, bookstore, and coffee shop.
I would recommend a visit to both the Museum and the Memorial to anyone who seeks to complete their understanding of our American history.
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What a amazing monument and educational museum, it is so well done and very captivating. The memorial for the lynching victims while heart breaking, really makes you realize how many souls were brutally lost. We need those kind of reminders in all walks of life, it is similar to the Holocaust victims, just because they are gone does not mean it did not happen, we should learn from history and never be repeat it.
Wow I’m just glad you took your kids to see what this history is all about. I hope to one day go to that museum. Incredible
I bet it was emotional to walk through and see all the past reminders of the horrid things we’ve done to each other over the years. Definitely adding this to my list of places to visit!
Alabama has some amazing history there. I must put this on my places to visit. Thank you for sharing this post.
Great read and lovely photos. Thanks for sharing!!