Cleveland Museum Honors Martin Luther King Jr. with Free Admission and Special Exhibits
WADE OVAL (WCTU) — The Cleveland History Center will offer free admission on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The event will celebrate his legacy and the impact of African American history and culture through special exhibitions, guest appearances, and guided tours. A free shuttle bus will be available to transport visitors to all University Circle museums every 15 minutes from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Visitors will have access to all museum galleries, including History in Their Hands: Black Photographers in Cleveland, Ohio, 1968 - Present, which highlights the work of Black photographers documenting cultural and social change. The exhibition features works by visual artists Bonnie Venable and Rodney Carpenter, who will be present to discuss their work.
Special exhibitions will include Solidarity Now! 1968 Poor People's Campaign, which explores the grassroots movement launched by Dr. King and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference to address poverty in America. The City of Hope: Resurrection City and the 1968 Poor People's Campaign poster exhibition, organized by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service and the National Museum of African American History and Culture, will also be on display.
The Western Reserve Historical Society’s genealogy committee will be available to assist guests in researching their family history. Visitors can also take a ride on the Euclid Beach Park Grand Carousel for $3 per ride.
Rodney Carpenter, a Cleveland Institute of Art graduate known for his collage and mixed-media works, will showcase his piece Help Wanted, which explores the struggles and resilience of Black communities. Bonnie Venable, an artist and former gallery owner, will present Freedom Marchers, a watercolor series paying tribute to civil rights activists.
The Cleveland History Center's African American History Gallery will showcase a variety of photographs and artifacts documenting political activism, social justice movements, and cultural nationalism. The museum’s exhibitions will remain on display beyond the event, with Solidarity Now! running through April 30, 2025, and City of Hope and History in Their Hands available through Aug. 31, 2025.
For more information on exhibits and event details, visitors can explore the museum’s official website.
