Georgia Tourism, a division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, recently announced the Georgia’s Footsteps of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Trail, which was created in partnership with The King Center as part of the memorial service commemorating the 50th anniversary of King’s death.
“As the nation joins together to commemorate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we are honored that his life and legacy are rooted in Georgia,” said Gov. Nathan Deal. “The trail’s historic landmarks will undoubtedly educate and inspire visitors to carry on Dr. King’s legacy by serving others.”
This self-guided tour aims to memorialize King, and connect travelers with Georgia’s role in the civil rights movement through engaging and educational travel experiences.
“Georgia’s tourism destinations and experiences play an important role in preserving and connecting visitors to our history and heritage,” said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson said. “Georgia’s Footsteps of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Trail underscores Dr. King’s legacy by highlighting landmarks across the state that were pivotal in his family, life and development as a civil rights leader.
The trail focuses on 28 sites that focus on events and leaders who fought for sweeping social change. They include:
• Dorchester Academy Boys’ Dormitory, Midway — Once a school for African American children, Dorchester’s dormitory was used by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference to train activists and leaders during the civil rights movement.
• First African Baptist Church, Dublin — First African Baptist Church was established in 1867. The current historic church building was constructed in 1914 and is Dublin’s oldest African American church. In 1944, the Colored Elks Club of Georgia sponsored an oratory contest at the church, and the winner was King. He was 15, and his speech was “The Negro and the Constitution.”
• Martin Luther King Jr. statue at the Georgia State Capitol, Atlanta – The statue was unveiled on Aug. 28, 2017. The bronze statue rises 8 feet atop a 36-inch pedestal with MLK engraved in gold on the Georgia granite.
“We are extremely excited about the Footsteps of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Trail,” Dr. Bernice A. King said. “This trail is an opportunity to walk in the footsteps of courage, love, sacrifice and an unyielding commitment to humanity.”