The Civil Rights Memorial is a beautifully designed structure representing the forty people who died in struggles for civil equality between the years of 1954 and 1968. The Memorial was designed by Maya Lin, who also designed the Vietman Memorial in Washington, DC, stands proudly in downtown Montgomery, AL, just a couple of blocks from the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spent many years as a reverend.
The beautiful inscription from the Civil Rights Memorial standing in downtown Montgomery, AL.
This memorial headstone rests outside of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church where Dr. King was reverend. A large dogwood tree stands over the memorial downtown Montgomery, AL.
This dogwood flower rests on the doorstep of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was reverend for many years. and also where he would speak to a crowd in the streets from the elevated entrance to the church. I smiled when standing in the place where Dr. King used to stand when speaking…then turned around to see this bloom on the doorstep.
This platform, with stairs rising on either side, is the entrance to the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was reverend for many years. Occasionally, he would stand here and speak to crowds below on Dexter Avenue.
Shirley Cherry, director of the Dexter Parsonage Museum, smiles as she asks me to do the honors of unlocking the door to the museum, once the home of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “I take pride in having the key to the home of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and today I am going to ask my friend from North Carolina to unlock this door”. I am extremely honored, Shirley. Thank you so much.
I attempt to smile while opening the door to the Dexter Parsonage Museum, once the home of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Montgomery, AL
Shirley Cherry, director of the Dexter Parsonage Museum speaks about the plaque on the floor where a bomb was dropped on the home of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Montgomery, AL
The lady in the swing (I apologize for not remembering names, I will search to find out) is widow to one of the Tuskegee Airmen, and has been living in this home, which is five doors down from the Dexter Parsonage Museum and once home of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., ever since the Kings were neighbors. The Tour group walked down to say Hello to this lovely lady and her daughter.
The Dexter Parsonage Museum, once home to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his family, is now open for visitors to take a tour. When you decide to go, I insist that you make sure you are in touch with Shirley Cherry, the Director of the Museum, as she will make your visit a memorable one.
The Lorraine Hotel in Memphis, TN is the site of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination.
The Lorraine Hotel in Memphis, TN is the site of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination.
Room 306 of the Lorraine Hotel is where Dr. King was staying in Memphis, TN and where he was assassinated. (The outside window is a reflection I could not dodge). The door to the room is in the far left corner of the room.
I enjoyed this quote by Thomas Jefferson on the handrail in the Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, TN
The bathroom of the Rooming House where James Earl Ray shot and killed Dr. King. The window faces the Lorraine Hotel. At the Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, TN
The resting room in the Rooming House across the street from the Lorraine Motel where James Earl Ray stayed while waiting for Dr. King.
The shell casing found in the Winchester rifle (above the casing) that shot Dr. King. At the Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, TN
On the left is the autopsy report for Dr. King. In the small round container on the right is the actual ‘slug’ (bullet) removed from his body during autopsy. At the Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, TN
A window next to the actual window in the Rooming House where the shot was taken that assassinated Dr. King. Dr. King was in room 306 of the Lorraine Hotel across the street on the second floor. The wreath hangs permanently where Dr. King passed away.
This is the Winchester Rifle used to assassinate Dr. King. At the Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, TN
A large exhibit of all of James Earl Ray’s effects that aided in the assassination of Dr. King. The rifle used is in the middle of the case. In the Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, TN
This is the building where James Earl Ray was stationed when he shot and killed Dr. King. The window he fired from is on the second floor with right trim farthest to the right- just visible behind the tree. At the Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, TN
Room 306 (behind the wreath) of the Lorraine Hotel in Memphis, TN is where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. The wreath on the balcony marks where he passed away after a fatal gunshot fired from a building across the street.
A statue of Mohandas Gandhi greets you as you enter the MLK Center. Dr. King was inspired by Gandhi’s nonviolent teachings and he studied and used his philosophy during the Civil Rights movement.
A large display of artwork along the wall of one of the buildings at the MLK Center. The artwork displays different scenes from the Civil Rights movement which Dr. King helped progress.
The Mule Cart that carried Dr. King’s casket to his resting place after he was assassinated. The cart was symbolic of Dr. King’s support for the rights of poor people.
A scaled down version of the “Stone of Hope” monument that is standing in Washington D.C. on the National Mall. The monument is built to honor Dr. King and his work towards Civil Rights.
A moving statue on the grounds of MLK State Park displays a slave holding up his child in hopes of a better future and a better life for him.
The outside of historic Ebenezer Baptist Church. This is the church were Dr. King co-pastored with his father and after seminary came back to serve again as a co-paster.
The pulpit in historic Ebenezer Baptist Church were Dr. King co-pastored under his father and where he came back to serve after his seminary. Dr. King was an excellent orator and he inspired many people to stand up for Civil Rights.
The headstones on the tombs of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King. They lay in state within the MLK State Park which Coretta helped build and establish as a way to honor her husband’s life.
The tombs of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Correta Scott King at the MLK State Park. Dr. King with the support of his wife helped change the US by leading the Civil Rights movement, we are better for it.
The eternal flame at the MLK National Park. Coretta Scott King set up this park to honor the life of her husband, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
On a beautiful hot Atlanta day school children walk past the tombs of Dr. and Mrs. Martin Luther King, Jr.
At the Freedom Center in the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Center. Here you can view some of his personal affects and view photographic timeline of his life.
Dr. Kings travel clock and his key to the Lorraine Motel. The Lorraine Motel is where Dr. King was assassinated in 1968.
Dr. King’s monogrammed packed suitcase. Dr. King was traveling so much during the Civil Rights he became a simple packer. This was the last bag Dr. King packed and took with him to the Lorraine Motel.
The house where Dr. King was born. From humble beginnings came a man who helped America make forward progress in race relations leading the Civil Rights Movement.
Off of Auburn Ave. this is the house where the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. grew up. A Simple house with hydrangeas blooming in the front.
