Matthew U.
Yelp
The absolute one thing I wanted to do when I found out I was going to be in the Montgomery region was to come to this museum. My heart broke when I was online looking at the surrounding areas and saw that this was (at that time) temporarily closed. Due to updating of exhibits with new technology. I was a bit down because of this because I have been obsessed with Rosa Parks since high school.
I was just going to let it slide until I did a bit more researching while in the city. I went to their website and noticed that they were reopening on MLK Day...the day I was to leave to head back home. I started to hatch a plan to allow me to visit, I couldn't pass it up.
With them opening up on MLK Day they were doing a special where you got half off admissions. Not that bad of a deal. There are two portions to this museum, the main exhibit and a children's portion of it. Both cost $7 and when I found out I was going to pay just $7 for both that day, I thought why not. But I will touch on this a bit later.
DISCLAIMER: Don't be like me and take pictures, it is not allowed. Let me explain. When I came here I was in a rush, when I came inside I was asked if I was here for the museum or if I was here to use the restroom. They were allowing people gathering for the MLK Day parade outside use the restroom. I said that I was here for the museum. The guy working the host stand hurried me into the museum as a group just went in. Rushing me in since the start of the museum was a video presentation. With that, he did the honor system with me (yet again), told me to pay and opened the door and let me inside. With all the hurry of getting inside, I wasn't given time to read anything of the rules or be given a rundown or the rules. More on this a bit later in the review.
Once you enter you are greeted by a replica of the Montgomery City Bus that Rosa Parks stood her ground on. The bus is equipped with video screens that fill in for the windows. This portion of the museum is totally immersive, as you watch the interaction taking place on the bus, hearing the overhead voice to fill in the gaps, watching the actors portraying the events, lights guiding your eyes to parts in the room to keep you in the moment (portions outside of the bus). Also, you will notice that you are on what is supposed to be a street. The street that this historic event takes place, once you figure this out you will notice you are technically standing in front of the theater, near a payphone. But you are immersed into it all that you don't realize it until the lights come up and guide you to the rest of the museum.
Once out of this you then go through each and every moment that followed Ms. Parks action. Including MLK's entrance into the movement, the use of personal cars to help people get to work when boycotting the bus (and the targeting of the those given rides), The eventual end of the boycott, the continued progression of the Civil Rights Movement, and so on. All the while educating you.
I wish I could have met Ms. Parks in person, this museum brought more information to light for me about her. This should be called a memorial on top of a museum and library.
To touch base on the admission. The other portion of this is a children's based interaction and could be skipped by adults in you do not want to take this in. It is an interactive 'ride.' You enter the 'bus' and are driven through history. It is made to be an educational tool to teach children about segregation. The bus is meant to be a time machine that mashes up history a bit by having historical figures 'meet' and educate those on the ride. The bus does move and vibrate and there are flashing lights, it is interesting to experience, but not a must.