GA -- Atlanta -- Martin Luther King Jr NHS:
- Bruce Guthrie Photos Home Page: [Click here] to go to Bruce Guthrie Photos home page.
- Recognize anyone? If you recognize specific folks (or other stuff) and I haven't labeled them, please identify them for the world. Click the little pencil icon
underneath the file name (just above the picture). Spammers need not apply.
- Copyrights: All pictures were taken by amateur photographer Bruce Guthrie (me!) who retains copyright on them. Free for non-commercial use with attribution. See the [Creative Commons] definition of what this means. "Photos (c) Bruce Guthrie" is fine for attribution. (Commercial use folks including AI scrapers can of course contact me.) Feel free to use in publications and pages with attribution but you don't have permission to sell the photos themselves. A free copy of any printed publication using any photographs is requested. Descriptive text, if any, is from a mixture of sources, quite frequently from signs at the location or from official web sites; copyrights, if any, are retained by their original owners.
- Accessing as Spider: The system has identified your IP as being a spider.
IP Address: 3.144.116.159 -- Domain: Amazon Technologies
I love well-behaved spiders! They are, in fact, how most people find my site. Unfortunately, my network has a limited bandwidth and pictures take up bandwidth. Spiders ask for lots and lots of pages and chew up lots and lots of bandwidth which slows things down considerably for regular folk. To counter this, you'll see all the text on the page but the images are being suppressed. Also, some system options like merges are being blocked for you.
Note: Permission is NOT granted for spiders, robots, etc to use the site for AI-generation purposes. I'm sure you're thrilled by your ability to make revenue from my work but there's nothing in that for my human users or for me.
If you are in fact human, please email me at guthrie.bruce@gmail.com and I can check if your designation was made in error. Given your number of hits, that's unlikely but what the hell.
- Help? The Medium (Email) links are for screen viewing and emailing. You'll want bigger sizes for printing. [Click here for additional help]
|
[1]
 MLK_050307_001.JPG
|
[2] MLK_050307_010.JPG
|
[3] MLK_050307_029.JPG
|
[4]
MLK_050307_039.JPG
|
[5]
MLK_050307_047.JPG
|
[6]
MLK_050307_053.JPG
|
[7]
MLK_050307_061.JPG
|
[8]
MLK_050307_068.JPG
|
[9]
MLK_050307_073.JPG
|
[10]
MLK_050307_087.JPG
|
[11] MLK_050307_093.JPG
|
[12]
MLK_050307_095.JPG
|
[13] MLK_050307_103.JPG
|
[14] MLK_050307_116.JPG
|
[15] MLK_050307_121.JPG
|
[16]
MLK_050307_138.JPG
|
[17] MLK_050307_141.JPG
|
[18] MLK_050307_146.JPG
|
[19] MLK_050307_160.JPG
|
[20] MLK_050307_164.JPG
|
[21] MLK_050307_178.JPG
|
[22] MLK_050307_195.JPG
|
[23] MLK_050307_201.JPG
|
[24] MLK_050307_206.JPG
|
[25]
MLK_050307_233.JPG
|
- Specific picture descriptions: Photos above with "i" icons next to the bracketed sequence numbers (e.g. "[1] ") are described as follows:
- MLK_050307_001.JPG: Mahatma Ghandi, another victorious advocate of nonviolence (also assassinated) graces the entrance to the King site.
- MLK_050307_039.JPG: This is a display asking whether you'd take the right walk for equality. The statues, who you can walk with, represent a cross-section of America -- white, black, male, female, old, young, and one guy on crutches.
- MLK_050307_047.JPG: This is the wagon used to carry King's caisson for burial. Cook's Antique Shop in Atlanta provided it for the funeral procession on April 9, 1965. Pulled by "Belle" and "Ada," the wagon led a mourning crowd of over 200,000 people the 4.3 miles from Ebenezer Baptist Church to Morehouse College. The wagon symbolizes King's work among the poor.
- MLK_050307_053.JPG: This is the new Ebenezer Baptist Church. Built in 1999, it allowed the park to open the original one, where King and his father preached, to be open for tours.
- MLK_050307_061.JPG: This is the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church. Built in 1914-22, King was ordained here in 1948 and appointed associate pastor to his father who served here. When King died, he was still co-pastor of the church with his father and his brother followed as co-pastor until 1969. King used to have meetings of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) here.
- MLK_050307_068.JPG: King's grave. The side is marked "Rev Martin Luther King Jr, 1925-1968. Free at last, free at last, Thank God Almighty, I'm free at last."
- MLK_050307_073.JPG: I have to admit, I had to stare pretty hard before I saw any flame on this eternal flame.
- MLK_050307_087.JPG: They've preserved much of the neighborhood where King grew up. All around this area, unfortunately, are major slums and security at the site is very pronounced.
- MLK_050307_095.JPG: King's birth home. Built in 1895, King was born here in 1929 in his grandparent's house at 501 Auburn Avenue. For his first 12 years, Martin lived in a multi-generational household; his two siblings, parents, maternal grandparents, a great aunt, and an uncle. In 1941, the family moved into a brick home on Boulevard. The Birth Home has been restored and furnished to reflect the 1930's and 1940's.
- MLK_050307_138.JPG: 492 Auburn: The Hope-Thurman House:
From 1897 to 1910, this wood frame duplex was occupied by white tenants. After that date, it was black-occupied. In 1936, it became a triplex. It is an outstanding example of a bungalow-style residence of the late Victorian era.
- MLK_050307_233.JPG: The "Behold" Monument: The "Behold" monument commemorates the heroic principles that guided the life and works of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. On January 11, 1990, Mrs. Coretta Scott King unveiled this monument as a tribute to her late husband and as an enduring inspiration to all who fight for dignity, social justice, and human rights. Sculptor Patrick Morelli was inspired by the ancient African ritual of lifting a newborn child to the heavens and reciting the words "Behold the only thing greater than yourself."
- AAA "Gem": AAA considers this location to be a "must see" point of interest. To see pictures of other areas that AAA considers to be Gems, click here.
- Wikipedia Description: Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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. 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 kmē). 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 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.
The 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. 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, 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 1950's and early 1960's.
The first level includes front porch, parlor, study, dining room, kitchen, laundry, bedroom and bathroom. The second level includes four bedrooms and 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. Register for the tour at the National Park Service Visitor Center in person upon arrival to the park. The tour is strictly limited to 15 people per tour! 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).
As a final farewell to his spiritual home, Dr. King, Jr.'s funeral was held in the 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.
The 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:
"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. 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.”
- Bigger photos? To save server space, the full-sized versions of these images have either not been loaded to the server or have been removed from the server. (Only some pages are loaded with full-sized images and those usually get removed after three months.)
I still have them though. If you want me to email them to you, please send an email to guthrie.bruce@gmail.com
and I can email them to you, or, depending on the number of images, just repost the page again will the full-sized images.
- Connection Not Secure messages? Those warnings you get from your browser about this site not having secure connections worry some people. This means this site does not have SSL installed (the link is http:, not https:). That's bad if you're entering credit card numbers, passwords, or other personal information. But this site doesn't collect any personal information so SSL is not necessary. Life's good!
- Photo Contact: [Email Bruce Guthrie].
