The birth home remained in the King family until 1974.
The crypt of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King is surrounded by a reflecting pool designed to symbolize peace.
The park's visitor center contains an exhibit on the Gandhi-King connection, exploring the influence of nonviolent resistance.
Ebenezer Baptist Church was established in 1886, making it one of the oldest congregations in Atlanta.
The site spans approximately 35 acres of land in the Sweet Auburn neighborhood.
The International Civil Rights Walk of Fame features the granite footprints of civil rights foot soldiers.
The park includes the 'Fire Station No. 6', a 1906 station that was one of the first in the city to be desegregated.
The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park preserves the birthplace, family home, and final resting place of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Atlanta. The site encompasses several blocks of Auburn Avenue, including the Sweet Auburn district, which was the historic center of African American commerce and community life. Visitors can tour the King Birth Home and attend services at the Ebenezer Baptist Church, where both Dr. King and his father served as pastors. The site features the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame and the reflecting pool surrounding the crypts of Dr. and Mrs. King. The park also includes the visitor center, which houses the 'Courage to Lead' exhibit documenting the American Civil Rights Movement. It is managed by the National Park Service and functions as both a site of historical inquiry and an active place of worship. The campus remains a focal point for commemorating the legacy of the Civil Rights era through preserved architecture and educational programming.
The reflecting pool in front of the King crypts and the bronze statue of Dr. King near the visitor center.
Tours of the Birth Home are strictly limited; reserve your spot at the visitor center information desk immediately upon arrival.
Wear comfortable walking shoes, as the site is spread across several city blocks.
Trying to walk through the Birth Home without a guided tour, as independent access is not permitted.
The King Birth Home is occasionally closed for routine maintenance or scheduled conservation work.
Maintain a respectful, quiet demeanor as this is an active place of worship and a memorial site.
