It’s totally open… once again…and just in time for the National King Holiday.
You see, the birth home of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was closed in 2016 for repairs. In January of last year the first floor was reopened to the public. Now, this coming Monday, the entire home will be enjoyed once again by the visiting public.
On the second floor is the room where Dr. King was born in. Also on the same floor is the room where he and his brother lived.
The National Park Service says they expect people to be lined up early Monday morning along Auburn Avenue waiting for the tours to start.
TAKE A TOUR OF THE HOUSE IN 360 DEGREES
The National Park Service and the King Center have many events planned for the King Holiday observance. Please see the list below.
The NPS schedule of events to include:
Friday, January 12, 2018 (10:00 AM – 12:00 PM) An educational program will be held in the Heritage Sanctuary of Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in celebration of Dr. King's 89th birthday. This very special program involves storytelling by a member of the King Family. Metro-Atlanta schools are invited to participate.
Saturday, January 13, 2018 (9:00 AM – 1:00 PM) A Volunteer Day of Service will begin under the canopy of the National Park Service Visitor Center at 9:00 AM. Many volunteers have already registered to participate in a variety of beautification and preservation projects on the National Historic Site campus.
Sunday, January 14, 2018 (4:00 PM - 6:30 PM) An artistic tribute in the form of a concert will take place at The King Center in the Yolanda D. King Theatre for the Performing Arts, located in Freedom Hall. The concert will feature an array of artists, honoring Dr. King's 89th birthday through music, song, dance and spoken word.
Monday, January 15, 2018, National King Holiday (9:30 AM – 4:30 PM) Special programs will be conducted park wide throughout the day.
- The King Birth Home, the historic structure where Martin Luther King, Jr. was born and lived his first twelve years of life, will be open to park visitors for walk through tours from 9:30 AM through 4:30 PM.
- A "Children's Corner" tent will be located on Auburn Avenue at Fire Station #6 and will feature arts & crafts, a National Park Service photo booth and the Park's Junior Ranger Program.
- A replica of a 1955 Marta Bus will be on Auburn Ave, visitors will have the opportunity to step back in time to the era of the Civil Rights Movement.
- Historic Fire Station No.6, the Heritage Sanctuary of Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church and National Park Service's Visitor Center will be open from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
The King Center schedule of remaining events
Jan. 13, Saturday - Salute to Greatness Awards Gala
Hyatt Regency Hotel
265 Peachtree Street, NE Atlanta, GA 30303
Reception at 6:00 PM | Dinner & Program at 7:00 PM
Ticketed Event; purchase tickets at TheKingCenter.org
The Annual Salute to Greatness Awards Gala is The King Center’s premier fundraising initiative.
Jan. 13 10pm - Afterglow Celebration
Hyatt Regency Hotel
265 Peachtree Street, NE Atlanta, GA 30303
Ticketed Event; purchase tickets at TheKingCenter.org
Join us for the Afterglow Celebration in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s 89th Birthday featuring
Doug E . Fresh, Michael Philips, and DJ B-Hen.
Jan. 14, Sunday - 3pm-5pm We've Got Next: Turning Readers Into Leaders
The King Center, Yolanda D. King Theatre For The Performing Arts -
FREE and Open to the Public
An interactive book event for children, especially ages 8-12. The day’s activities will include book readings, interactive activities, and conclude with a book signing. During the event, there will be an opportunity to collect new and used books of all languages to send to those effected by hurricanes and the homeless community. The event will be hosted by Miss Yolanda Renée King the only grandchild of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and her cousins Miss Maryn Rippy and Aliscia Beals the great granddaughter of A.D. King and special guests will include Martin Luther King, III, Arndrea King, Dr. Angela Farris Watkins, Dr. Andrea Lewis, Xernona Clayton, Donald Bermudez
and DJ Willy Wow.
We ask that everyone bring at least 1 book, books can be in all languages, to donate toward the book drive.
Jan. 14, Sunday 5pm
50 Forward On A Strong Foundation: 2018 MLK Gospel Extravaganza
Historic Ebenezer, 407 Auburn Avenue, Atlanta, GA
FREE and Open to the Public
Hosted by the National Park Service with The King Center, MLK March Committee and King Family Legacy Foundation.
Jan. 15, Monday 10am -1p The Martin Luther King, Jr. Annual Commemorative Service
Ebenezer Baptist Church- Horizon Sanctuary
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Annual Ecumenical
Commemorative Service is the spiritual hallmark of the
King Holiday Observance. The service is an ecumenical
endeavor which is held on the Federal Holiday at
Ebenezer Baptist Church located near The King Center.
Jan. 15, Mon. 2pm - -King Holiday March & Rally
Starting at Auburn Avenue and Peachtree Street. The March is held on Auburn Avenue from Peachtree Street to Jackson Street. The Rally is held on Auburn Avenue. The areas of concern are education, technology, medical, investment, transportation, housing, environmental justice, job creation, conflict resolution,interfaith, cultural exchange, peace, justice, and voter registration.
Jan. 15, Mon. 6pm- 8pm
Beloved Community Talks:Let's Bridge The Racial Divide Across Urban, Suburban and Rural America
The King Center, The Yolanda D. King Theatre For The Performing Arts
In keeping with Dr. King’s assertion that people are divided because we are disconnected, The King center launched, via the Beloved Community Talks (BCT) platform, a two year campaign on the 2017 King Holiday Observance, Let’s Bridge the Racial Divide across Urban, Suburban, and Rural America. The King Center will continue the campaign on the 2018 King Holiday.
