The folks over at the National Civil Rights Museum know that when it comes to measuring up partners, the AARP is a keeper.

AARP Day at the National Civil Rights Museum will be Tuesday, Dec. 8. The museum normally is closed that day but the doors will be open for this special AARP outreach event.

“It (the AARP connection) really helps us here at the National Civil Rights Museum, especially in working with the seniors in our community.  AARP is such a creditable organization and it takes such good care of its members,” said Gwen Harmon, the museum’s director of governmental and community affairs.

AARP Day is designed, in part, to help stimulate more people to give back to their communities. There will be tours of the museum, with local, state and national AARP representatives speaking during a program prior to the tours.

 “We are very fortunate to have them ask us to partner with the museum. And to bring it its members and the general public at no cost on Tuesday is a great idea and it helps us,” said Harmon.

With seniors, there is an interesting dynamic, said Harmon. The seniors connect with the story that the museum tells about the civil rights movement. They also have a wealth of knowledge about that era to share.

AARP Day is not the only thread in the partnership. The museum houses the AARP Oral History Program already, where several seniors have come in and taped  stories that now are in the archives.

“It is a living history project for us that we are very proud to participate in also” said Harmon.

The AARP day will include a community service fair with numerous groups represented. The idea is to present information and stimulate conversations about ways to get involved.

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free as an AARP gift to the community of Memphis. Participants are asked to bring an unwrapped holiday gift that will be distributed to needy elderly Memphis residents through the “Be a Santa to a Senior’’ program. Postage stamps and personal grooming tools top the list. For a complete list of suggested gifts, visit www.aarp.org/tn.

Those planning to attend AARP day are asked to register in advance at 1-877-926-8300