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National Voting Rights Museum and Institute: A Living Chronicle of Courage

Explore the pivotal history of the Voting Rights Movement at this Selma museum, honoring the courageous fight for equality and justice.

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Located in Selma, Alabama, near the Edmund Pettus Bridge, the National Voting Rights Museum and Institute stands as a memorial to the courageous individuals who fought for voting rights during the Civil Rights Movement. The museum chronicles the events leading up to the Selma to Montgomery marches and the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act [1, 5].

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Local tips

  • Combine your visit with a walk across the Edmund Pettus Bridge and a tour of the Brown Chapel AME Church to gain a deeper understanding of the events that took place in Selma [5].
  • Check the museum's website for information on guided tours, living history projects, and community forums to enhance your visit [5].
  • Plan to spend at least 2-3 hours to fully explore the exhibits and absorb the wealth of information available [5, 11].
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Getting There

  • Walking

    The National Voting Rights Museum is located at 6 US-80 East in Selma [11]. If you are already in downtown Selma, near landmarks like the Edmund Pettus Bridge, the Selma Interpretive Center, or the St. James Hotel, the museum is easily accessible by foot [11, 14]. Head east on US-80 (also known as Broad Street) for a few blocks. The museum will be on your right [11]. The walk is generally flat and takes about 10-15 minutes from the downtown area [11].

  • Driving

    If driving from outside of Selma, follow signs for US-80 East [7, 11]. Once you enter Selma, continue on US-80 East (Broad Street) [11]. The museum will be on the right side of the road [7, 11]. Parking is available in the vicinity, either on the street or in nearby lots [7, 11]. Parking costs are typically free [11]. Be mindful of local parking regulations [11].

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Discover more about National Voting Rights Museum and Institute

The National Voting Rights Museum and Institute, established in 1991 and opened in 1993, serves as a vital memorial and educational center dedicated to the American Voting Rights Movement [1, 4, 5]. Situated in Selma, Alabama, a city synonymous with the struggle for voting equality, the museum's location near the Edmund Pettus Bridge—the site of the brutal 'Bloody Sunday' attack in 1965—adds profound historical weight to the visitor experience [5]. The museum chronicles the events leading up to the Selma to Montgomery marches and the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, while also recognizing the broader history of African-American voting rights and the Women's Suffrage movement [4, 5]. Through exhibits featuring rare photographs, video footage, documents, and personal artifacts, the museum vividly portrays the challenges and triumphs of activists who fought against disenfranchisement [3, 5]. Visitors can explore exhibits detailing the 'Bloody Sunday' attack, the Selma to Montgomery march, and the impact of the Voting Rights Act [5]. The museum also features the 'Footprints to Freedom' gallery, displaying molded footprints of march participants, and the Marie Foster Room, which honors local residents and national leaders involved in the Selma demonstrations [3, 5]. First-hand accounts from volunteer guides further enrich the experience, providing personal perspectives on these pivotal events [2, 5]. The museum's mission extends beyond historical preservation [5]. It serves as a research forum, a community action center, and an educational resource, actively promoting dialogue and engagement on contemporary voting rights issues [3, 5]. The museum supports research forums, community conversations, and educational resources and presentations that impact or support voting rights issues in America [3]. By preserving and sharing the stories of the past, the National Voting Rights Museum and Institute inspires future generations to continue the fight for justice and equality [5].

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