Martin Luther King JR Historic Site
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Martin Luther King Jr Historic Site

Our family has visited many historic sites that have influenced our lives. We have been to Andrew Johnson’s home place,  Davy Crockett’s birthplace,  toured President Lincoln’s Homeplace and tomb and visited President Jimmy Carter’s Presidential Library. On our recent visit to Atlanta, we took the time to visit the Martin Luther King Jr Historic Site.

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Martin-Luther-King-Historic-Site

Martin Luther King Jr Historic Site

I grew up with parents who have always treated everyone as equals. It never mattered to my family what your skin color, ethnic origin or language you speak – everyone was treated as a new potential friend. Visiting the Martin Luther King Jr Historic Site was important for all of us.

Last summer when we took a family trip to Washington DC, we took time to explore the Martin Luther King Jr Memorial.

Martin Luther King Jr Memorial
Martin Luther King Jr Memorial

When it comes time for my kids to learn about Martin Luther King Jr in the classroom,  discuss the famous “I Have A dream” speech, or talk about the Civil Rights Movement, they will be able to say they have been there!  Visiting museums and historic sites like this give my kids a better understanding about history and the events that shaped our country.

Martin Luther King Jr Museum
Martin Luther King Jr Museum

A young boy grows up in a time of segregation…A dreamer is moved by destiny into leadership of the modern civil rights movement…This was Martin Luther King, Jr. Come hear his story, visit the home of his birth, and where he played as a child. Walk in his footsteps, and hear his voice in the church where he moved hearts and minds. Marvel at how he was an instrument for social change.

Ebeneezer Baptist Church Now and Then

One of the highlights of visiting the Martin Luther King Jr Historic Site was walking inside Ebeneezer Baptist Church.  I have been inside thousands of church auditoriums in my life.  But walking in this auditorium was just a little different.  There was such a sense of history. I thought it was interesting to find pictures from the 60’s and then compare them to the pictures we took on our recent visit.

Ebeneezer Baptist Church today and in history
Ebeneezer Baptist Church today and in history
Ebeneezer Baptist Church Now and Then
Ebeneezer Baptist Church Now and Then

Martin Luther King Jr Memorial

Martin Luther King Jr and his wife have their memorial here at the Historic Site. It started raining while we were there but there is a covered archway that goes the entire length of the reflecting pool.

martin-luther-king-jr-memorial

King’s gravesite occupies most of the cleared lot east of the Ebenezer Baptist Church to Boulevard Street. In 1976 a memorial park was installed around the marble crypt. The park consists primarily of a brick and concrete plaza with arch-covered walkway and chapel partially surrounding a reflecting pool. In the center of the pool, on a raised pedestal rests the King crypt. On it is engraved the inscription: “Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. 1929-1968, ‘Free at last, free at last, thank God almighty, I’m free at last.”

Martin Luther King Jr Gravesite
Martin Luther King Jr Gravesite

Read more about the Martin Luther King Jr Gravesite.

Tour Information

Martin Luther King Jr National Historic Site
Admission and Tours are Free

Things to Know

  • If you want to tour the Birth home, you must get your FREE tickets early!  By the time we got there around noon, the tours were all full.  
  • You can pick up a map at the Visitors Center of the various historic sites.
  • Take a free walking tour of the Historic Site so you can visit the shotgun houses, birth home, firehouse, Memorial Graves, Eternal Flame and Ebeneezer Baptist Church.
  • There are parking areas available around the Historic Site.  We paid $5.00 to park in a lot near the church.
  • You do not need a ticket to visit the museum, fire house, church and memorial park.
  • There are interpretive events and speeches planned throughout the day. They are announced at different times. These are free as well.

Connect with the Martin Luther King Jr Historic Site on Facebook and Twitter.

Have you ever visited this historic site? What is your favorite memorial or birthplace that you have visited? I’d love to hear!

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3 Comments

  1. I was young when I watched it all take place on television in the ’60s. I can’t remember when I was more moved. We all had a sense that history was happening right in front of our eyes and Dr. King’s “I have a Dream” speech is still one that comes often to my mind. Those times were awful for those on the front lines, pleading for change. Then they became glorious times of progress and a love shown by many, most especially, the love of forgiveness shown by those most deeply hurt.

    1. It’s crazy to think that the things you experienced in real time are the things we learn about in history. So thankful we are able to take the kids to these sites and see first hand how history was made

  2. I have never been their. I would love to go it looks awesome. I dont have a favorite memorial place.

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