Martin Luther King, Jr. Forecourt

The ceremonial entrance at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial

NPS Antoine Thomas

Quick Facts

Location:

Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial

Designation:

National Park

Amenities

14 listed

Baby Changing Station, Benches/Seating, Bus/Shuttle Stop, First Aid Kit Available, Information - Maps Available, Information - Ranger/Staff Member Present, Information Kiosk/Bulletin Board, Junior Ranger Booklet Available, Parking - Auto, Restroom, Restroom - Accessible, Restroom - Family, Water - Drinking/Potable, Wheelchair Accessible

Significance: 

The design of the memorial intended for visitors to start their journey in this forecourt. One can readily observe that almost all that enter the memorial here proceed straight through the forecourt towards, and through, the Mountain of Despair, without stopping. What causes them to do that? Have they just experienced a situation similar, albeit with notable differences, to what many people were facing in 1955 (the year King got involved in the Civil Rights Movement)?  

Visitors are generally looking for certain opportunities at this memorial, including:  

- see a sculpture or statue of Martin Luther King, Jr. 
- see inspirational quotes 
- be in a memorial space that honors the legacy of Dr. King and can accommodate hundreds of visitors at any one time 

Faced with a lack of those opportunities in the forecourt, visitors simply proceed forward through the opening in the Mountain of Despair, likely expecting to find them on the other side.