The King Center is a non-profit center that focuses on research, education, and training on applying the non-violent philosophies of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Officially known as the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, the organization works on both a domestic and international level.
The King Center’s mission statement is to “empower people to create a just, humane, equitable and peaceful world by applying Dr. King’s nonviolent philosophy and methodology.” The center also maintains collections and exhibitions on the lives of historic figures, including Dr. and Mrs. King, Rosa Parks, and Mahatma Gandhi.
The King Center - one of the highlights of 10 Best Civil Rights Sites in Atlanta and 10 Best Museums in Atlanta (Read all about Atlanta here)
photo by Adam Jones (CC BY 2.0) modified
Highlights of The King Center
Programs directed by The King Center include non-violence education and training, community-based talks, lectures, and networking events. Youth programs include the Camp Now leadership academy, the Students With King program, and community teach-in events.
The King Center grounds include Dr. and Mrs. King’s crypts, as well as an eternal flame and reflecting pool. Freedom Hall contains exhibition and event spaces, a theater, bookstore, and research center, and museum collections on historic figures. Nearby is the Birth Home of Dr. King, a National Historic Site that can be visited on guided tours with a park ranger.
photo by Michael Barera (CC BY-SA 4.0) modified
Good to know when visiting The King Center
You can sign up for a tour of Dr. King’s Birth Home when you visit the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site Visitor’s Center. Tour space is limited and fills up fast on weekends and holidays, so plan your visit accordingly.
Admission and parking are free for the entirety of The King Center and its historic sites The Birth Home of Dr. King is the only site that requires visitors to pre-register, at the information desk within the Visitor’s Center. The Center can also be reached by public transportation via bus, MARTA, or the Atlanta Streetcar.
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The King Center
Location: 449 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312, USA
Open: Daily from 9 am to 5 pm
Phone: +1 404-526-8900
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