The Montgomery Legacy Museum should be required viewing for all American families. It is educational and inspiring, as well as infuriating and sorrowful. It is filled with crucial information presented in unique ways that were riveting for my family.
Experience Montgomery hosted my family to visit this intriguing Alabama city. While only about three hours from Atlanta, we had never been before. In addition to the Montgomery Legacy Museum, we fed zebras at the drive-thru Alabama Safari Park, went hiking at the Lagoon Park Trail and got an exclusive preview of the Olympic trials destination, Montgomery Whitewater Park. The Legacy Museum: From Enslavement to Mass Incarceration was the thing that blew us away.
The Legacy Museum in downtown Montgomery, Alabama, has curated exhibits explaining the history of slavery and racism in America. This includes the enslavement of African Americans, racial lynchings, segregation, and racial bias. It is filled with emotionally charged material, but it is of utmost importance that we view it.
After our visit, I knew I needed to share my opinion on why families should visit the Montgomery Legacy Museum. Here are six compelling reasons to plan your trip today.
6 Reasons To Visit the Montgomery Legacy Museum
1. It is educational.
The Legacy Museum offers a profound educational opportunity all Americans need to experience. It gives visitors a comprehensive understanding of the history of slavery, racial segregation, and racial injustice in the United States. Whether you are a middle schooler or a scholarly expert, I guarantee you will learn something new. The museum deep-dives into the legacy of slavery and its enduring impact on American society. It doesn’t seek to shame anyone or illicit sympathy, The Legacy Museum simply tells these often horrific stories.
2. Montgomery is historically significant.
The city of Montgomery, Alabama, holds immense historical significance in American history in general, as well as in slavery and the Civil Rights Movement in particular. It was the birthplace of many pivotal events and figures in the struggle for racial equality, including the Montgomery Bus Boycott, Rosa Parks and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
3. It is crucial to confront uncomfortable truths.
The truth is often uncomfortable, but that doesn’t mean it should be avoided. The Montgomery Legacy Museum confronts visitors with uncomfortable truths about America’s history. It also encourages reflection and dialogue about these difficult topics, fostering greater awareness, empathy and understanding.
Want more? Check out this reading list.
4. The Montgomery Legacy Museum memorializes victims of racial violence.
The Legacy Museum is closely linked with the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, complementing each other well. A free shuttle connects the two entities located about 1/2 mile apart. Together, these institutions honor the memory of the thousands of victims of racial violence. It is the only place that memorializes many of the lynching victims.
5. You will be inspired to work toward social justice.
By exploring the struggles and triumphs of those who fought against racial oppression, the museum inspires visitors to consider their own efforts to work towards a more just and equitable society. It encouraged my family to talk about what we learned and consider how we could actively work to address issues of racism and discrimination. While visiting Montgomery, consider visiting the Rosa Parks Museum and Freedom Riders Museum and taking a 360-degree Montgomery walking tour.
6. Your visit will support these impactful exhibits.
Each exhibit’s powerful imagery, artifacts, and multimedia presentations blew me away. The personalization the curators included helped me to remember these people as individual human beings. The museum conveys the horror of slavery, the dehumanization of the post-Reconstruction segregation era, and the bravery of those who fought against injustice. These exhibits leave a lasting impression that lingers long after walking out of the museum doors.
The Legacy Museum is a focal point for community engagement, events, discussions, and educational programs to foster dialogue and promote social change. Your visit will help support these efforts. Consider having lunch at Pannie George, a restaurant on-site, to further support the museum and get a taste of some of the South’s best-known delicacies.
Bottom Line: Add The Legacy Museum to your list of destinations to visit.
My family and I found many reasons to visit Montgomery, Alabama, with The Legacy Museum being one of the best. It gave us a transformative and enlightening experience. My kids gained a deeper understanding of America’s complex history and inspired them to work towards a racism-free future.
