City Pass, Inc is highlighting the opening of the newly expanded National Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta.
It has served as the cradle of the American civil rights movement in the hometown of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
As a featured attraction in the Atlanta CityPASS ticket, the Center plays homage to the city’s legacy of leadership in the pursuit of justice and equality.
Since its original opening in 2014, the Center has presented immersive exhibits honoring those who have fought to protect human dignity.
Following a $57.9 million expansion, the Center now offers an even more engaging experience through storytelling and interactive exhibits. The renovation includes two new wings, six new galleries, and enhanced event and educational spaces.
“Our reopening arrives at a time when understanding our shared history feels more urgent than ever,” said Jill Savitt, president and CEO of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.
“This Center was built to show how history speaks to the present. These new galleries allow people to experience both the courage of those who came before us and the call to continue their work today.”
The Center’s updated and expanded galleries feature:
Rolls Down Like Water: The American Civil Rights Movement – The Center’s signature gallery returns with new storytelling and updates that enhance one of the most powerful visitor experiences: the Lunch Counter simulation, where guests take a seat at the counter and experience the courage of protestors who faced hatred with calm resolve.
A Committed Life: The Morehouse College Martin Luther King Jr. Collection – This gallery features a rotating selection of Dr. King’s personal papers and writings. In a new tradition, the Center will feature a guest curator for each rotation. The inaugural guest curator is Rev. Dr. Bernice A. King, the youngest child of Dr. King and Coretta Scott King.
Everyone. Everywhere: The Global Human Rights Movement – Highlights defenders and activists around the world and includes A Mile in My Shoes. During this immersive installation, guests walk in others’ stories.
Action Lab: A hands-on space where visitors can design personal civic engagement plans and discover practical ways to make a difference in their communities.
Special Exhibitions Gallery: For the first time, the Center features a gallery for temporary exhibitions, beginning with “Reclaiming History: Selections from the Tinwood Foundation,” which showcases Southern Black artists whose work confronts injustice.
Broken Promises: The Legacy of the Reconstruction Era: Opening December 6, this gallery examines the Reconstruction period as a crucial foundation for understanding the Civil Rights Movement. It features historical artifacts and includes the marker commemorating Mary Turner’s lynching, interpreted through the work of artist Lonnie Holley.
“This expansion is a powerful reminder of how institutions like the Center can inspire action through education and storytelling,” said Megan Allen, CEO of City Pass, Inc. “We’re proud to partner in a space that honors the past while empowering future generations.”
Guests can explore the National Center for Civil and Human Rights as part of a curated Atlanta CityPASS experience that includes admission to five of these six attractions: Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, Zoo Atlanta, Fernbank Museum of Natural History, College Football Hall of Fame, and National Center for Civil and Human Rights.
A bundled ticket offers savings of up to 49% off regular admission rates.
Visit the National Center for Civil and Human Rights for more information.
