Friday, May 6, 2016

Friday, May 6, 2016



Tonight's picture was taken on May 23, 2008. I will never forget this day or this adventure. Mainly because it wasn't planned, but just happened. It was a Friday and Peter got home early from work. It was a nice weather afternoon, and we decided to head to the Potomac River. While at National Harbor we bought tickets for a boat trip around town. While riding the boat, a fellow passenger offered to take our photo! Now whenever I see the "Matthew Hayes" (the name of the boat), I think of this moment in time.




Quote of the day: ...social advance depends quite as much upon an increase in moral sensibility as it does upon a sense of duty... ~ Jane Addams

We are now back in Washington, DC. It is really hard to believe what we attempt to accomplish in one week's time!!! Last night, after a full day at the conference, we went upstairs on the Hotel's rooftop to enjoy views of the Mississippi River and the sun setting into it!

We ate at the Majestic Restaurant last night! It was originally built in 1913 as the Majestic No. 1, a silent picture house that entertained Memphians for three decades, the restaurant gives diners a glimpse of the heady Hollywood days of ol’.  From the beautifully restored Beaux Arts décor to expertly prepared classic cocktails to warm, gracious service to Chef/Owner Patrick Reilly’s award wining, yet remarkably comfortable food, you find yourself feeling transported to another time. Add to that the largest private movie screen in the city showing silent films & classic movies and you’re center stage in an atmosphere that reclaims the cinematic glory of the dawn of the silver screen.

Inside the Majestic at Christmas Time. If you look at the far wall of the restaurant, you can see a movie screen, which still shows old movies to diners.

Orpheum was built in 1928 and is one of the few remaining "movie palaces" of the 1920's. The theatre presents a variety of events from Broadway shows and concerts to films. A $4.7 million renovation in the 1980's included refurbishing of ornamental plasterwork, crystal chandeliers and original furnishings plus remodeling of backstage and technical areas. It seats 2,400.

Believe it or not this is Main Street. Memphis is clearly in the process of being revitalized but in comparison to cities on the East or West Coasts, what immediately jumps out at you here is there is NO congestion. Either on the side walks or with vehicular traffic! 

Initially we wanted to see Graceland today. Not because we are Elvis fans, but because we wanted to learn more about his life and Americana during that time period. But because we had to fly home today, there just wasn't enough time. So instead, our waiter last night told us about the National Civil Rights Museum. Which was a 15-20 minute walk from our hotel. That is how we spent several hours today.

Attached to the museum is the Lorraine Motel. The significance of this Motel is this was where Martin Luther King, Jr was on the night he was assassinated. It is like walking and observing land that time forgot. Things seem so well preserved, and it is real shrine to Dr. King. That is a feeling that is evoked outside the doors of the Motel.

Dr. King was shot on April 4th. The same date as Mattie's birthday. 

A wreath still exists outside the room where Dr. King was lodging at the Lorraine Motel. 

The first hotel on the site was the 16-room Windsorlorrine Hotel, built on the northern side of the complex around 1925; it was renamed the Marquette Hotel. Walter Bailey purchased it in 1945 and renamed it for his wife Loree and the song "Sweet Lorraine." During the segregation era, he operated an upscale accommodation that catered to a black clientele. Bailey added a second floor, a swimming pool, and drive-up access for more rooms on the south side of the complex. He changed the name from Lorraine Hotel to Lorraine Motel. Among its guests through the 1960s were musicians going to Stax Records, including Ray Charles, Lionel Hampton, Aretha Franklin, Ethel Waters, Otis Redding, the Staple Singers and Wilson Pickett.

Following the assassination of King, Bailey withdrew Room 306 (where King died) and the adjoining room 307 from use, maintaining them as a memorial to the activist leader. Bailey's wife Loree suffered a stroke hours after the assassination, and died five days later. Bailey reduced the operation by converting the other motel rooms to single room occupancy for low-income residential use.

The museum was very moving and disturbing at the same time. It is an extensive collection that isn't confined to one floor or even one building. One would need at least three hours to do this Museum justice. Here is a link to the museum to learn more: http://civilrightsmuseum.org/