National Center for Civil and Human Rights, Atlanta (must see)

Opened to the public in 2014, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights presents the history of the U.S. Civil Rights Movement alongside contemporary human rights struggles around the world. Designed by architect Philip Freelon, the building’s flowing, curvilinear form—often described as “hands joined in unity”—reflects Atlanta’s central role in the Civil Rights Movement while framing those struggles within a broader global context. Following an expansion, the Center reopened in 2025 with two new wings, increasing gallery and event space.

Inside, the Center combines permanent galleries, rotating exhibitions, and immersive installations that link past movements to present-day human rights issues. Core exhibits trace the Civil Rights Movement through original artifacts, multimedia storytelling, and participatory environments, while newer galleries broaden the lens. “Broken Promises: The Legacy of Reconstruction” examines the post–Civil War era and its lasting consequences, while “Everyone. Everywhere.” explores global human rights through an immersive “A Mile in My Shoes” experience. A new Action Lab invites visitors to design personalized civic engagement plans, turning reflection into potential action.

One of the Center’s most powerful experiences remains the interactive lunch counter simulation, expanded during the renovation to accommodate more visitors. Sitting at a recreated 1960s counter, guests listen through headphones as voices and sounds recreate the experience of nonviolent protest. The Martin Luther King Jr. Collection, drawn from Morehouse College, has been relocated to a prominent main-floor space and reimagined with rotating guest curators, beginning with Bernice A. King. A dedicated Special Exhibitions Gallery now hosts major temporary shows.

Since reopening, the Center has reaffirmed its place as a cornerstone of Atlanta’s cultural landscape, hosting public programs, lectures, and exhibitions that respond directly to current events. Thought-provoking and immersive, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights offers visitors a deeper understanding of Atlanta’s identity—one shaped not only by entertainment and spectacle, but by ongoing struggles for justice and human dignity.