Gallagher Command Centre was implemented across the three-building campus, which includes the historic Lorraine Motel, the main museum structure, and the newly opened Legacy Building.
Comprehensive, not Complex
Every requirement had to be met, without added complexity for the people using it daily. Gallagher Command Centre runs across the museum's site, managing 33 active access points and supporting the daily movements of around 75 staff members, alongside approximately 15 contractors including HVAC technicians, security personnel, and janitorial staff. Access is tiered across four levels, administrative, operations, retail, and finance, ensuring people only enter the spaces relevant to their role. Permanent staff use badge credentials, while temporary workers are issued keypad codes, removing the cost and logistics of additional hardware.
From within Command Centre, staff can pull up a live map of every door across the property and monitor status at a glance. Scheduled locking and unlocking means the system adapts automatically to operating hours and special events, without manual intervention. When something does require attention, a site-wide lockdown can be triggered instantly, securing every door and activating visual indicators across the campus simultaneously.
When an alert is raised at an access point, the team uses Command Centre to identify the exact time and access data, then cross-references that with footage from the museum's existing Milestone camera system. What was previously a complex, time-consuming process is now straightforward. Perimeter security is reinforced after hours through Photoelectric Beams (PEBs), generating alerts should anyone approach the boundary of the site.
“We can view maps of all doors across the campus and monitor their status in real time. We also have a lockdown feature that can secure all doors and trigger visual indicators. It’s much easier to implement and follow procedures.” Says Henry.
Proactive Protection
The shift to Gallagher has delivered tangible results across the museum’s day-to-day security operations and beyond.
When the museum recently renovated its facilities and opened the Legacy Building, a newly transformed space housing immersive galleries that examine civil rights history and its continued relevance today, implementing Gallagher made the transition measurably smoother. Equipment configuration was faster, and staff adapted quickly, a stark contrast to previous renovation cycles. The Legacy Building's outdoor terrace allows free movement during open hours but requires badge access after closing, managed seamlessly within Gallagher's scheduling and access control framework.
For contractors, the move from physical keys to credential-based access has reduced lost-key incidents. For temporary workers, simple keypad codes maintain security without the overhead of additional badge management.
Henry describes the museum’s security philosophy simply: "We view security as proactive, not just reactive."
That proactive approach extends to how staff and visitors experience the space. While most visitors may not consciously register the access control infrastructure, they respond to the cues it creates controlled entry points, visual indicators, and the assurance of a well-managed environment.
A Partnership Built on Support
Beyond the technology itself, the museum’s team has valued the relationship with Gallagher’s support team.
"The Gallagher support team has been very responsive," says Henry. "They take the time to understand our needs and help us get the most out of the system. Combined with how easy it is to use, it’s been a great fit for us as an organization."
The implementation was delivered in partnership with Cyber Technology Security, whose local expertise helped bring the system to life across the museum's three-building campus.
The museum is also positioned to expand its Gallagher implementation further, including deeper integration with the Milestone camera system, as its security program continues to mature.
Gallagher Security is honored to support the mission of the National Civil Rights Museum.
