About This Collection

“I do not live in the past, but the past walks in me.” —Louisa Brown

For over twenty five years I have been collecting artifacts from the most inspirational chapter of modern history: the American Civil Rights Movement. Originally, this collection began as an effort to connect to the history on a visceral level by holding these papers and objects in my hands and mentally taking myself to the times, the places, and the people. The Civil Rights Heritage Museum showcases these artifacts for others to be able to do the same: To take history from the textbook to a meaningful cognitive experience.

The categories of Slavery, Segregation, Civil Rights, and Racism are all important, but from the ghastly to the glorious, the breadth of our civil rights history cannot be contained by these four categories. Still, the totality of this collection attempts to tell the ongoing and inspiring story of overcoming against the greatest of odds. The Civil Rights Heritage Museum is committed to telling this story.

Chris Preitauer
Curator
Civil Rights Heritage Museum
San Diego, CA
gastonmotel@gmail.com