I’ve driven through Atlanta a million times. I’ve always seen signs on the interstate pointing to the MLK park, but only until we started pursuing national parks did I actually consider going there.
Our quest to visit national and state parks coincides with a time in my life (and Tiffany would probably also say in hers) when I’m taking some personal initiative to take a closer look at things I’ve been taught to see why it is I believe them, realize what I wasn’t taught, etc.
As a white male who grew up in a conservative environment, MLK was a figure that I never really gave the credit he was due. I mean, I appreciated that I got a day off school because of MLK Day, but that was about it. I would often question why so many cities (even those in other countries) had streets named after MLK. I was even among those who questioned why we had things like Black History Month. You could say I had a hard time putting myself in others’ shoes.
Then, probably about 15 years ago (for reasons I don’t remember), I picked up a copy of MLK’s autobiography. For the first time, I saw the real figure of Dr. King. I saw his deep spirituality. I saw the importance he placed on education. I saw how he fought and struggled in order to bring about justice in this world.
Fast forward about 15 years, and I have a much deeper understanding and appreciation of the struggles that my African American brothers and sisters have gone through. It’s an understanding that’s by no means complete, but I am actively pursuing ways to learn more and fight my own internal prejudices.
Thus, when I had the opportunity to visit the national park dedicated to Dr. King with my family, I was able to visit with such a greater sense of gratitude for the accomplishments that he helped bring about.
Our visit came just two days after the reopening of the park’s buildings, which had been closed for some time due to Covid. We started in the visitor’s center and museum, while Teagan got to work on her Junior Ranger booklet. The museum included the cart that carried Dr. King’s casket during his funeral. I learned that, after Dr. King led so many marches in his life, there were 50,000 people that followed this cart as they marched over four miles from Ebenezer Church to Morehouse College, where they had a public service.
After this, we headed to Ebenezer Baptist Church, where Dr. King’s grandfather, his father, and he himself served as pastor. Sage at one point ignored the cordoned off pews and sat down in the front row. The ranger informed us that she was sitting right where his wife Coretta Scott King sat during his funeral. In the church is a clock that is stopped at the time of his funeral.
Next to the church is the location of the tombs of Dr. King and his wife, where we stopped briefly. We then were fortunate to snag a time slot to tour his childhood home. (Pro tip: If you want a ticket, they’re free, but arrive right when the visitor’s center opens, as they’re first come, first served. We arrived 20 minutes after they opened, and the first tour was already booked.). The ranger was full of great information on the family. I enjoyed seeing the original piano, where they hosted some choir practices and sing-alongs. To also think about the important civil rights meetings that occurred here was cool to think about. A tour of the upstairs included seeing the room where Dr. King was born.
We were able to take a (slightly covert, unofficial, since they were technically closed for renovations but the rangers were generous) tour of the Fire Station No. 6, one of the first integrated fire stations in Atlanta, and where Dr. King would have played some. Since Sage’s teacher’s husband is a fireman, she and Teagan loved seeing the old fire truck inside.
Finally, we went back to the VC (as they say in the NPS world), where Teagan took her Junior Ranger pledge and got her badge. Then, we headed out of Atlanta. I’m so grateful to have gotten the chance to visit the park, and I hope you’ll stop in the next time you’re in Atlanta.
Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park Official Site
Beavers in the Park 