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Kimberly Russellvia Google

3 months ago

It was very dusty and decrepit in here. It was nice to see the history of Beale street and the old antique items but, for God's sake have a professional cleaner come out to dust sweep and polish this place up. I'm surprised I didn't have an asthma attack or an allergy attack. The museum has the "OLD STUFF" smell in the air and it's all upstairs. Again nice to see the stuff but please tidy up for your first time tourists like me for future reference.

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Heather Steinmillervia Google

4 months ago

I'm not sure that "charming" is the word I'd use to describe this historically important museum. "Heartrending," yes. "Awe-inspiring," yes. "Charming," not so much. The photos on the walls are among the 1.8 million Mr. Withers took over the years documenting the Civil Rights movement, yet another example of man's inhumanity to man. I followed the docent's recommendation to start at the back of the room and spiral around, and may I just admit that I was relieved the photos are B&W - they're brutal enough and my imagination filled in the rest. By the time I made it halfway down the first wall I was in tears, and when I reached the photos of the Little Rock Nine with the National Guard in the background I lost it, especially as there were National Guard personnel in the street outside (along with FBI, ICE, city police, state police, IRS-CI, etc.). The lovely docent (with whom I bonded over our shared history of public school education), reached into her desk and brought out a roll of TP to staunch my tears. (I'm welling up just at the memory.) Thankfully, farther on in the exhibit are photos of musicians including James Brown, Otis Redding, The King & BB King, and many more. (Still didn't completely shake my melancholy from the previous photos, though.) This place should be on every school's field trip schedule - haven't checked to see if anyone's made a documentary about the man and his extraordinary body of work, but if not, there should be. This is our history as Americans, and some of it is ugly, ugly, ugly, but it doesn't mean it should be forgotten; someone wiser than me once said, "those who do not learn from the mistakes of history are doomed to repeat them." (Ending on a slightly lighter note, Bill Withers is distantly related and the docent played "Lean On Me" especially for me as I walked through the space.) Entry is donation only, and prints of the photos are for sale. The location is on the extremely popular Beale Street, so there's no excuse not to go.

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Ola Fridayvia Google

4 months ago

Great place to visit! There is an amazing collection of photographs here that captures very important and intriguing history. Definitely support this place while you’re in town. Plus, it’s directly on Beale Street.

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Sammi Spanglervia Google

5 months ago

Very moving and powerful. Beautiful photos of a tough subject. It is very important that the world has these so we do not forget. Staff was very friendly and you can purchase prints.

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Aharonvia Google

10 months ago

absolutely striking and breathtaking photography and museum. documents the civil rights movement from a prominent black photographer at the time and is insanely moving. can’t even put it into words; just go. and it’s worth any donation you have. (moving from social importance to business) BUT i planned on giving $10-$20 per person as a donation when i arrived , but the lady at the front was remarkably forceful about taking my money (and honestly looking back i would have given more). but the lady at the entrance insisted i give a certain amount of money before entering …… which is illegal for a nonprofit to do. i used to run a nonprofit and if people didn’t want to pay, then so be it despite how important or recreational i thought our facility was - if they choose to take advantage then that’s on them. she would not let us enter unless we paid a certain amount. i understood the importance of the place and reveled in its history but nonetheless left with a sense of forced goodwill. i don’t like that - i planned to contribute more than what she asked regardless. but i asked about donation and she said i couldn’t enter unless i donated x amount. ?? i was going to give more than that but why treat visitors / patrons who are genuinely trying to learn and grow with such brashness and distain ? you should go but you should also check someone who forces you to give more money than you are able or willing ….. when you already planned on giving more. just rude. loved the museum tho but their focus on extorting poor people who want to learn and grow has GOT to be checked.