National Park Service reopens second floor of MLK birth home

The room where the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was born will once again be on display beginning Monday, Jan. 15. AJC file photo

The room where the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was born will once again be on display beginning Monday, Jan. 15. AJC file photo

The birth home of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was closed for safety repairs in Aug. 2016. In January 2017 the first floor was repaired and open to the public, but the second floor remained closed for needed repair.

The repairs on the second floor are complete and the National Park Service will re-open it to the public on Jan. 15, the Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday.

The room that King was born in is located on the second floor of the home, the room he and his brother slept and played in when he was a child is also located on the second floor. The home, built in 1895 is a vital resource of the park and is a popular attraction for visitors.

“We are thrilled that the second floor of the Auburn Avenue historic home will be reopened in time for the King Holiday, visitors will be able to view the room that Dr. King was born in 89 years ago” stated Superintendent Judy Forte. “We are also excited that a full condition assessment of the entire home has been completed to ensure the preservation and protection of this national treasure for future generations.”

Information: www.nps.gov/malu