GREENSBORO, N.C. — You can retrace Civil Rights’ leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. steps across North Carolina.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. made several trips to North Carolina during the Civil Rights movement, below we’ve highlighted a few stops he made during his many visits to our state.
ROCKY MOUNT
BOOKER T. WASHINGTON HIGH
Head to Rocky Mount and drive by Booker T. Washington High. That’s where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave a speech on November 27, 1962 where he first used a number of expressions that made their way into his landmark, “I have a Dream” address at the Lincoln Memorial in 1963. He spoke to a crowd of nearly 2,000 in the Booker T. Washington High Gymnasium.
GREENSBORO
BENNETT COLLEGE - Visit Annie Merner Pfeiffer Chapel
Take a walk inside Bennett College’s Annie Merner Pfeiffer Chapel that’s where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke before his historic March on Washington speech.
Find out more about his visit to Bennett College
RALEIGH
REYNOLDS COLISEUM - NCSU
On July 31, 1966, Dr. King was invited to speak at Reynolds Coliseum at NC State. His message was about encouraging African Americans to vote and to remain non-violent in the Civil Rights Movement.
Find out more about his visit to Reynolds Coliseum
If you do visit Raleigh make sure you include another stop!
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Gardens
You can also visit the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Gardens which is the first public park in the United States solely devoted to Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement. It includes the King Memorial Wall, life-size bronze statue of King and a 12-ton granite water monument.
Find out more about the Memorial Gardens
CHARLOTTE
CHARLOTTE PARK CENTER
On September 25, 1960, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke to a crowd at the Charlotte Park Center.
If you do visit Charlotte find out more about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at this library!
J. MURREY ATKINS LIBRARY IN CHARLOTTE
The J. Murrey Atkins Library in Charlotte has materials related to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. that can be found in several collections held by the Library Special Collections.
Find out more about the MLK Special Collections
DURHAM
NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY
In Durham, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. made another stop in 1966 where he gave a speech at North Carolina Central University.
GREENSBORO
International Civil Rights Center & Museum
Another place to visit to find out all about the Civil Rights movement and Dr. King’s legacy is the International Civil Rights Center and Museum. The museum is located on South Elm Street in Greensboro. It’s open Monday – Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Check out more for ticket prices