Honoring the Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent and Social Change, or The King Center, was established in 1968 by Coretta Scott King. It is the official memorial dedicated to advancing the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The commemorative aspect of this free national landmark is incredibly moving. 650,000 visitors come every year to pay solemn tribute to the memory of Dr. King and his wife at the crypt standing peacefully in the center of a reflecting pool. Nearby, an eternal flame symbolizes “the continuing effort to realize Dr. King’s dream of the ‘Beloved Community,’ which was his vision for a world of justice, peace and equality for all mankind.”

But the King Center is far more than a memorial to past events and accomplishments. It actively engages in educational and community programs to create social change today. In the words of Coretta Scott King, it is intended to be “no dead monument, but a living memorial filled with all the vitality that was his, a center of human endeavor, committed to the causes for which he lived and died.” The King Center carries Dr. King’s vision of equality and message of nonviolent social change forward to benefit this and future generations.

The King Center Experience

Pay Respects

The crypt of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King quietly dominates the long pool of fresh water, drawing the eye down Freedom Walkway. The Georgia marble is inscribed with an adaptation of the final lines of Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech: “Free at last, Free at last, Thank God Almighty, I’m Free at last!” 

Reflect on Greatness

The Reflecting Pool invites visitors to walk and contemplate the life of one of the world’s great civil rights leaders. Gently splashing water falls rhythmically down steps like a voice delivering the powerful lines of his most famous speech. The words inscribed on the steps were first heard by the nation on August 28, 1963 during the March on Washington: “We will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.” Nearby, the Eternal Flame burns with an expression of everlasting hope for humanity.

Probe and Explore

Learn about Dr. King’s mission through exhibits at Freedom Hall explaining his work, philosophy and methods of nonviolent conflict resolution and social change. The Grand Foyer features art from Africa and Georgia, and the second floor educates visitors about Dr. and Mrs. King, Mahatma Gandhi and Rosa Parks. 

Go to the Source

The King Library and Archives holds the world’s largest collection of original source materials about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the American civil rights movement, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and other major civil rights organizations. Scholars, researchers and anyone interested in the history of civil rights in America will find important correspondence, oral interviews and more in this repository.

Understand a Legacy

Exploring the entire Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Park is a rewarding experience that leads to a deeper understanding of his life and legacy. The lessons to be learned here are essential and valuable to all walks of life. Visitors should plan to take their time to absorb and be moved by what they encounter.