News Release

Birth Home Second Floor Reopens

Birth Home of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Gary Tarleton, NPS

News Release Date: January 8, 2018

Contact: Rebecca Karcher, [phone]

The Birth Home of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. closed for safety repairs in August 2016. In January 2017 the 1^st floor of the Birth Home was repaired and open to the public, but the 2^nd floor remained closed for needed repair. The National Park Service is pleased to announce that the 2^nd floor of the home has been repaired and it will re-open to the visiting public on the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Holiday, January 15, 2018.

The room that Dr. King was born in is located on the 2^nd floor of the home, the room he and his brother slept and played in when he was a child is also located on the 2^nd 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.”

For more information, please visit www.nps.gov/malu and follow us on Twitter @MLKJrNHSNPS, Facebook MartinLutherKingJrNPS , Instagram @martinlutherkingjrnps.