March 2025 is the 60th anniversary of the Selma Marches. The 1960s were a time when Black people faced violent opposition as they fought to exercise their right to vote in America. The Civil Rights Movement drew international attention to the cause when they gathered on three occasions in March 1965 to march from Selma, Alabama, to Montgomery. Alcatraz East Crime Museum is putting the anniversary in the spotlight by adding a new artifact signed by Martin Luther King, Jr. to their displays.
“This was an important time in American history and it needs to be remembered," says Ally Pennington, artifacts and programs manager at Alcatraz East Crime Museum. "This anniversary is an excellent time to remember the impact the Marches had and to help people learn more about our nation’s past.”
The artifact that will be added to the assassinations display is an American Airlines Quick Reference Guide signed by Martin Luther King, Jr., who was integral in the protests that ultimately led to the Voting Rights Act of 1965. According to the National Archives, the Selma marches involved three separate marches during which large groups gathered to protest, wishing to have their voices heard. From March 21-25, 1965, nearly 25,000 protestors walked 54 miles from Selma to Montgomery to hold a rally for voting rights on the steps of the Alabama State Capitol building.
Blacks were being denied voting access in the South due to Jim Crow laws. There were numerous barriers put in place to discourage and prevent them from exercising their federal right to vote, including literacy tests, poll taxes, violence, and intimidation. The Selma Marches, in which Martin Luther King, Jr. took part, led to hundreds of marchers being attacked, dozens of people being injured, and four deaths as law enforcement officers used violence to impede the peaceful protests. The events made world news and led to President Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which outlawed discriminatory voting practices.
Each year, the museum rotates items to keep things fresh and interesting, ensuring crime junkies always have something new to see and learn about. In addition, four rotating temporary exhibit spaces feature new topics and artifacts. Newly added items include prison letters from Dennis Rader, the BTK killer. February 25, 2025, is the 20th anniversary of his arrest. There is also a newly added FBI seal signed by J. Edgar Hoover, as 2025 marks the 75th anniversary of the FBI's Ten Most Wanted List, a fugitive program he implemented in March 1950.
"We also have some great opportunities coming up that locals will not want to miss," said Pennington. "There’s always something interesting to see and learn about when you visit the museum.”
Alcatraz East Crime Museum will be hosting homeschool days with a discounted admission rate for the month of February 2025. This deal allows parents and students to explore the history of American crime and learn more about law enforcement and forensic science. The homeschool ticket rate for the month is $12, plus tax, per person. There is also a homeschool group rate of $10, plus tax, per person. Groups must have at least 10 people, and homeschoolers must show proof of homeschooling. The homeschool rate is available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday for the month of February. Groups can inquire about this and other deals with Rhiannon at groupsales@alcatrazeast.com or (865) 453-3278 ext. 1603.
The museum will also offer local appreciation days in February 2025 for residents who live or work in Blount, Cocke, Jefferson, Knox, or Sevier counties, or are employed at State Welcome Centers. Tickets for locals are $15, plus tax, per person for the whole month. Adults must present their identification or show their current pay stub to receive the local appreciation pricing. This cannot be combined with any other discount offer or promotion.
The museum features over 100 exhibits and interactives and four temporary exhibit spaces, with many famous items on display, including Al Capone’s rosary, Ted Bundy’s dental molds, and Charles Manson’s acoustic guitar. This top museum is open at 10 a.m. daily. The last tickets are sold 60 minutes before closing. These interactive experiences are available for an additional fee for birthday parties, school groups, scouts, team building, or other special events. To get a discounted rate for groups of 15 or more, complete the online form and allow up to 72 hours for confirmation. For more information about tickets, discounts, temporary exhibits, and all the museum offers, visit the site: https://www.alcatrazeast.com.
Alcatraz East Crime Museum has updated its board of crime experts, which includes Derwin Bradley, a retired master police officer; James R. Knight, a crime writer; Robin Maynard, a certified crime scene investigator in Florida; Derek Newport, a law enforcement veteran who worked for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation for 20 years; and Judge Belvin Perry, Jr., who presided over the notorious case against Casey Anthony, among others.
