MLK Jr.'s Atlanta birth home closure | What to know
Sophia Dalton The closure begins Monday, Nov. 27.
ATLANTA — The historic birth home of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. will be closed for two years.
The National Park Service said the temporary closure of the civil rights icon and his siblings will allow for rehabilitation work.
The Queen-Anne Style home, built in 1895, sits on Auburn Avenue in the Martin Luther King National Historic Park and Preservation District. People will have until Nov. 27 to visit. The doors will be shuttered until November 2025 as part of its usual work for upkeep, the agency explained.
NPS acquired the home in 2018 and had started planning to upgrade and rehabilitate major systems. During the closure, crews will replace and upgrade the home's mechanical systems to include electrical, HVAC and fire suppression, including adding a crawlspace for access. NPS also plans for window and door repairs and replacement of non-historic interior wall coverings.
Cosmetic repairs such as the porch, painting, fence replacement and driveway regrading will also be part of the rehabilitation.
According to officials, the museum collection housed in the home will be removed and stored off-site during the project. While closed, the interpretation and other visitor services will continue through partnerships with the King Center to include walking tours, virtual programming and special commemorations and events.
People can visit the historic park's website to learn more about the home's closure.
