Remembering Martin Luther King, Jr.
During a trip to Atlanta we felt compelled to visit the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site, comprised of several facilities operated in partnership with the National Park Service, Ebenezer Baptist Church and The King Center. We recall the influence and leadership this man had on our nation’s history as we tour the sites. This is history we lived through – remembering life before and after the thrust of the Civil Rights Movement, remembering the highlights and tragedies of Dr. King’s life.
The National Park Service Visitor Center provides an orientation and perspective in the featured exhibit Courage To Lead. Films, New Time, New Voice and Children of Courage run throughout the day in the theatre. I found the Freedom Road exhibit a powerful memorial to everyday people, the “foot soldiers,” dedicated to the Civil Rights Movement through their actions of non-violent protests – marches, sit-ins, demonstrations while facing resistance, physical harm and potential arrest.
Visiting the park is self-guided except for ranger led tours of the MLK Birth Home. Tours are conducted on a first-come, first-served basis the day of the tour, no advance reservations. Tours last about 30 minutes, starting every half hour between 10 am and 5 pm. Birth Home tours fill quickly, register early in the day at the Visitor Center information desk.
Outside the visitors center, in the Peace Plaza, stands Behold by sculptor Patrick Morelli. The ancient African ritual of lifting a newborn child to the heavens and reciting the words, “Behold the only thing greater than yourself,” inspired the monumental sculpture.
Across Auburn Avenue stands the Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church where Rev. King and his father both preached and the site of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s funeral. The Heritage Sanctuary is currently closed for restoration, projected reopening is late 2009.
The King Center was established in 1968 by Coretta Scott King to preserve the legacy of her husband and his role as leader of America’s greatest nonviolent movement for justice, equality and peace. Exhibits record the works and time-lines of Dr. King, Jr., Coretta Scott King and Mahatma Gandhi.
We ended our visit across the reflecting pool from King’s crypt. A quiet moment for our own reflections.
January 15, 2009 would have been Martin Luther King, Jr.’s 80th birthday. I can’t but marvel at the impact the man had during the 39 years he lived, a forever impact on equality and justice.
The National Historic Site is open daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s days. Current visitor information at 404-331-6922 or on the website. For a comprehensive visit plan at minimum one-half day.
The scaffolding that encased the west tower of the historic mission church came down just in time for Christmas services. Restoration of the tower took five years and over $5 million dollars to complete. Old cement plaster was carefully removed and brick work repaired before refinishing with traditional lime plaster. Original construction began in 1783 – the oldest European-style building in Arizona. A mix of Moorish, Byzantine and late Mexican Renaissance design San Xavier del Bac is acclaimed as the finest example of mission architecture in the United States.
A recent brunch visit withfamily and friends satisfied appetites. Several of us ordered Eggs Mazatlan. The large flour tortilla stuffed withthree scrambled eggs and guacamole and topped with white cheddar cheese and green chilepleased hungry tummies without feeling heavy. Salsa, sour cream and tortilla chips – thin, crisp and warm – served on the side.
With 11:00 am reservations our party could order from both the breakfast and lunch menus. We ran the gamut from eggs Benedict and waffles to fish and chips and the Red Baron Reuben. The Piper Club looked large enough to feed an entire flight crew.
But, let’s get to the food. Bob ordered the Tuscan style meatloaf, topped with porcini mushroom gravy, served on garlic mashed potatoes, accompanied by sauteed veggies. The meatloaf slice was thick and generous – enough for lunch the next day. The potatoes perfect and the gravy exceptional. I selected a pasta dish of capellini, shrimp, tomato cream and basil – heavenly. I was certain I would take some home for Monday lunch but didn’t put my fork down until I picked up my spoon to get the last sips of sauce. We finished the evening sharing the fall fruit bread pudding with frangelico caramel – lovely.
C.J. Box – Wyoming Writer
Box’s last stand-alone novel, Blue Heaven, was a New York Times bestseller. Retired LA cops and missing children in the woods of Northern Idaho – the spellbinding story has been optioned for a film. Blue Heaven has recently been released in paperback.
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