Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site

Infobox Protected area
name = Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site
iucn_category = V


caption =
locator_x=70 |locator_y=84
location = Atlanta, Georgia, USA
nearest_city =
lat_degrees=33 |lat_minutes=45 |lat_seconds=19 |lat_direction=N
long_degrees=84 |long_minutes=22 |long_seconds=16 |long_direction=W
area = 34.47 acres (13.04 federal)
0.139 km²
established = October 10, 1980
visitation_num = 624,848
visitation_year = 2005
governing_body = National Park Service

Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site established on October 10, 1980, consists of several buildings surrounding Martin Luther King, Jr.'s boyhood home on Auburn Avenue in the Sweet Auburn district of Atlanta, Georgia. Ebenezer Baptist Church, the church where King and his father Martin Luther King, Sr. pastored, is also part of the national historic site. These places are critical components in the interpretation of the life of Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy as a leader of the American civil rights movement.

The area was designated a National Historic Landmark district on May 5, 1977.cite web |url=http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=1430&ResourceType=District |title=King, Martin Luther, Jr., Historic District |accessdate=2008-06-21|work=National Historic Landmark summary listing |publisher=National Park Service] The site became a national historic site on October 10, 1980 and is administered by the National Park Service (NPS). In total, the buildings included in the site make up 35 acres (0.14 km²). The visitor center contains a museum that chronicles the American Civil Rights Movement which follows the parallel paths of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.. A firehouse (Fire Station No. 6), built in 1894 served the Sweet Auburn community until 1991, now contains a gift shop and an exhibit on desegregation in the Atlanta Fire Department. The “I Have a Dream” International World Peace Rose Garden, and a memorial tribute to Mohandas K. Gandhi. Also of interest is the "International Civil Rights Walk of Fame" which gives recognition to those courageous pioneers who sacrificed and struggled to make equality a reality for all.

Annual events surrounding Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in January typically draw large crowds. Speakers have included Presidents of the United States, national and local politicians, and civil rights leaders. Remembrances are also held during Black History Month (February), and the anniversary of King's April 4, 1968, assassination.

King Birth Home

The King Birth Home is located at 501 Auburn Avenue was built in 1895, about one block east of Ebenezer Baptist Church in the National Historic Site. [ [http://www.nps.gov/archive/malu/BirthHomeTour/mlk_welcome.html Virtual Tour of Birth Home] ] Martin’s maternal grandparents, Reverend Adam Daniel (A.D.) Williams and Jennie Williams, bought the house for $3,500 in 1909. A.D. Williams was pastor of the nearby Ebenezer Baptist Church. When King's father married Alberta Williams, the family moved into the house in 1926. It is the place where Martin Luther King Jr. was born in 1929. The King family lived in the house until 1941, [ [http://www.historians.org/Perspectives/issues/2006/0612/07AMSupplement/07AMSup15.cfm The Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site and Places that Commemorate His Legacy] ] and the house was then converted into a two-family dwelling. The Rev. A.D. Williams King, Dr. King's brother, lived on the second floor in the 1950s and early 1960s.

The first level includes the front porch, parlor, study, dining room, kitchen, laundry, bedroom and a bathroom. The second level includes four bedrooms and a bathroom. Free tours are led by the National Park Service rangers, and are available by reservation at the visitor center (tours begin at the fire station). The tours are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, strictly limited to 15 people per tour. Register for the tour at the National Park Service Visitor Center in person upon arrival to the park. They fill up fast on weekends and holidays.

Ebenezer Baptist Church

Ebenezer Baptist Church is a Gothic revival-style building located within the National Historic Site. In 1922, the congregation moved into this church on Auburn Avenue. Martin Luther King Sr. became pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church in 1931, succeeding his father-in-law, A.D. Williams. Martin Jr., his eldest son, grew up attending services at Ebenezer, and succeeded his father and maternal grandfather as pastor in 1960. He remained in that position until his death in 1968.

Ebenezer was headquarters for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference where Martin worked as a civil rights leader. Many of the Civil Rights Movement’s mass meetings, rallies and strategy sessions were held in this historic sanctuary and fellowship hall. A number of Martin's great sermons were given at the church; "The American Dream" (July 4, 1965), "The Drum Major Instinct" (February 4, 1968), and "Unfulfilled Dreams" (March 3, 1968). [ [http://www.stanford.edu/group/King/popular_requests/voice_of_king.htm Stanford University: The Voice of King] ] As a final farewell to his spiritual home, Dr. King, Jr.'s funeral was held in the church. [ [http://www.nps.gov/archive/malu/documents/ebenezer_church_welcome.htm National Park Service: Ebenezer Baptist Church] ]

The Baptist congregation moved to a new sanctuary across the street, the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church is open to the public for self-guided tours, and used occasionally for special services.

Restoration projects

In 2001, thanks to a Save America's Treasures Grant and the contributions of many individuals and corporations, the National Park Service began the restoration. "Phase I" included design and installation of major systems including, electrical, heating and air conditioning, and fire suppression. Structural repairs were made to the roof system and the historic exterior Ebenezer sign was repaired and lit for the first time since 1990. A chair lift was installed to provide accessibility to the sanctuary. The funding for "Phase I" involved a private and public partnership and cost $1,885,000. "Phase II" of the project will restore the appearance of the sanctuary and fellowship hall to the 1960-1968 period when Dr. King served as co-pastor with his father. Special work items include preservation of stain glass windows; restoration/replication of furnishings; repair of balcony structural system; rehabilitation of restrooms; abatement of asbestos-containing flooring; treatment of termite infestation/damage; installation of a lightning protection system; improvement of site drainage; and restoration of a sidewalk, baptistery, and pipe organ and its antiphonal.

"Phase II" restoration

On September 10, 2007 Ebenezer was closed for at least a year to begin its "Phase II" Restoration Project. "Phase II", an approximately $4 million, federally funded project will focus on the church’s historical architecture and cosmetic design. It will include a combination of restoration and preservation treatments. When "Phase II" is completed visitors will be able to fully experience the church that supported the family, spiritual and cultural development of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. from the early age of five, when he was baptized there, to his last days of thirty nine years on April 9, 1968. [ [http://www.nps.gov/malu/parknews/newsreleases.htm Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church to Close for Repairs] (Sept. 2007)]

Gandhi Promenade

The statue of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was donated by The Indian Council for Cultural Relations, India, in collaboration with The National Federation of Indian American Associations and The Embassy of India, USA.

The inscribed bronze plaque reads: [ [http://www.donet.com/~eprice/mlknhs.htm The Gandhi Promenade at the Martin Luther King National Historic Site] ]

:"Nonviolence, to be a potent force, must begin with the mind. Nonviolence of the mere body without the cooperation of the mind is nonviolence of the weak of the cowardly, and has, therefore, no potency. It is a degrading performance. If we bear malice and hatred in our bosoms and pretend not to retaliate, it must recoil upon us and lead to our destruction."--"Gandhi"

:"Tribute to the Mahatma "Gandhi was inevitable. If humanity is to progress, Gandhi is inescapable. He lived, thought and acted, inspired by the vision of humanity evolving toward a world of peace and harmony. We may ignore him at our own risk"--"Martin Luther King, Jr."

King Center

Coretta Scott King started the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change in the basement of the couple's home in the year following King's 1968 assassination. [ [http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2006/02/01/future_of_king_center_up_in_the_air/ Future of King Center up in the air] (February 1, 2006)] In 1981, the center was moved into a multimillion dollar facility on Auburn Avenue, near King's birth home and next to Ebenezer Baptist Church, where he preached from 1960 until his death.

In 1977, a memorial tomb was dedicated, and the remains of Martin Luther King Jr. were moved from South View Cemetery to the plaza that is nestled between the center and the church. Martin Luther King Jr.'s gravesite and a reflecting pool are also located next to Freedom Hall. Mrs. King was interred with her husband on February 7, 2006.

As of 2006, the King Center is a privately owned inholding within the authorized boundaries of the national historic site. However, there is debate within the King family on whether it should remain so or be sold to the National Park Service.

International Civil Rights Walk of Fame

The "International Civil Rights Walk of Fame" was created in 2004. The walk along the Promenade, includes footsteps, marked in granite and bronze. According to the National Park Service, the Walk of Fame was created to "pay homage to the "brave warriors" of justice who sacrificed and struggled to make equality a reality for all." The new addition to the area is expected to enhance the historic value of the area, enrich cultural heritage, and augment tourist attractions.

The “Walk of Fame” is the brain child of Xernona Clayton, founder and executive producer of the renowned Trumpet Awards and a civil rights icon in her own right. Ms. Clayton said, “This is a lasting memorial to those whose contributions were testaments to the fact that human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable. This historic site will serve as a symbol of pride and a beacon of hope for all future generations. We are looking forward to building a monument to the civil struggle that depicts every step taken toward the goal of justice and the tireless exertions and passionate concern of these dedicated individuals.” [ [http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/9/prweb280109.htm Footsteps of Civil Rights Leaders] ]

Inductees

2004
* Ralph David Abernathy, Sr., civil rights leader, close and enduring partnership with Dr. King.
* Juanita J. Abernathy, civil rights activist.
* Ivan Allen, Jr., former mayor of Atlanta, Georgia during the turbulent civil rights era of the 1960s.
* Julian Bond, civil rights leader.
* Jimmy Carter, 39th President of the United States.
* Medgar Evers, civil rights activist.
* Dorothy Height, educator, social activist.
* Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., minister, civil rights activist.
* Judge Frank M. Johnson, United States Federal judge .
* Lyndon Baines Johnson, 36th President of the United States.
* John Lewis, politician, civil right leader.
* Joseph E. Lowery, minister, civil right leader.
* Evelyn G. Lowery, civil right leader.
* Thurgood Marshall, former Supreme Court Justice (1969-1991).
* Rosa Parks, civil rights activist.
* Hosea Williams, civil rights leader.
* Andrew Young, civil rights activist, former mayor of Atlanta, Georgia.

2005
* Henry Aaron, baseball player, social activist.
* Harry Belafonte, musician, actor, social activist.
* John Conyers, Jr., politician, social activist.
* Dick Gregory, comedian, social activist.
* Maynard H. Jackson, former mayor of Atlanta, Georgia.
* Ralph E. McGill, journalist, social activist.
* Fred L. Shuttlesworth, social activist.
* Ted Turner, media mogul and philanthropist.
* Judge Elbert P. Tuttle, former Chief Judge of U.S Court of Appeals (1960-1967).
* Nancy Wilson, singer, social activist.
* Reverend Addie L. Wyatt.

2006
* Reverend Joseph E. Boone, social activist.
* Reverend William Holmes Borders, Sr.
* Xernona Clayton, civil rights leader, broadcasting executive.
* Lena Horne, singer, actress, social activist.
* John E. Jacob, former president and CEO of the National Urban League.
* Reverend James Orange.
* Bernard Parks, politician, social activist.
* Archbishop Desmond Tutu, South African cleric, social activist.
* William Clinton, 42nd President of the United States.
* Stevie Wonder, singer, civil rights activist.

2007
* Lerone Bennett, Jr., scholar, author, historian, social activist.
* Tony Bennett, singer, social activist.
* Marian Wright Edelman, social activist for the rights of children.
* Shirley Franklin, 58th mayor of Atlanta, Georgia.
* Frankie Muse Freeman, civil rights attorney.
* Joe Louis, boxer, social activist.
* Sir Lynden Pindling, former Premier of the Colony of the Bahama Island (1967-1973).
* Sidney Poitier, actor, social activist.
* Dr. Otis W. Smith, physician.
* Maxine Waters, politician, social activist.
* L. Douglas Wilder, former governor of Virginia.
* Jean Childs Young, civil rights activist/educator.

2008
* Dr. Maya Angelou, poet, memoirist, actress.
* Senator Edward W. Brooke, social activist, politician.
* Tyrone L. Brooks, Sr., social activist, politician.
* Sammy Davis, Jr., singer, dancer.
* Jesse Hill, Jr., business executive.
* Dr. Benjamin Hooks, established Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change.
* Clarence B. Jones, Martin Luther King's attorney.
* Tom Joyner, radio host.
* The Right Honorable Prime Minister Michael Manley, former Prime Minister of Jamaica.
* Herman Russell, Sr., founder and CEO of H.J. Russell & Company.
* Dr. Wyatt Tee Walker, Executive director of the SCLC 1960-1964.

Notes

References

* Coleman, Wim. "Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site", Enslow Pub. Inc, (2005) - ISBN 0766052257

External links

* Official NPS website: [http://www.nps.gov/malu/ Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site]
* [http://www.gainformer.com/Files/International%20Civil%20Rights%20Walk%20of%20Fame%20Inductees.htm International Civil Rights Walk Of Fame Announces 2008 Inductees]
* [http://www.nps.gov/archive/malu/WOF/Walkoffame.html#Scene_1 International Civil Rights Walk of Fame]
* [http://www.historicebenezer.org/ Ebenezer Baptist Church official site]
* [http://www.thekingcenter.org/ The King Center]
* [http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel/atlanta/ Atlanta, Georgia, a National Park Service "Discover Our Shared Heritage" Travel Itinerary]

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