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Dexter Parsonage Museum: Home of Dr. King in Montgomery

Step back in time and walk in the footsteps of Martin Luther King Jr. at his former home in Montgomery, a landmark of the Civil Rights Movement.

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The Dexter Parsonage Museum in Montgomery, AL, preserves the home of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during his time as pastor at the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church. This meticulously restored house offers a glimpse into the life of the King family and the strategies developed during the Civil Rights Movement [4, 5, 9].

A brief summary to Dexter Parsonage Museum

Local tips

  • Check the museum's website for updated hours and tour schedules, especially during peak season [10, 14].
  • Combine your visit with a tour of the nearby Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church for a comprehensive understanding of Dr. King's work in Montgomery [4, 10].
  • Allow at least 1-2 hours to fully experience the museum, interpretive center, and reflection garden [10, 14].
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From the Alabama State Capitol, head east on Dexter Avenue toward Bainbridge Street. Turn right onto S Jackson Street. Walk approximately four blocks south. The Dexter Parsonage Museum will be on your left [4]. The walk is approximately 10-15 minutes. Alternatively, from the Civil Rights Memorial, walk north on N Hull Street, turn right onto Washington Avenue, then turn left onto S Jackson Street. The Museum will be on your right after a few blocks [4].

  • Public Transport

    The Montgomery Area Transit System (MATS) provides bus service in the area [10]. Check MATS schedules for the nearest bus stop to Dexter Avenue and Jackson Street. From the bus stop, it's a short walk to the museum. A single ride fare is approximately $1.25 [10].

  • Taxi/Ride-Share

    Taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are readily available in Montgomery [10]. A ride from downtown Montgomery (e.g., near the Rosa Parks Museum) to the Dexter Parsonage Museum will typically cost between $8 and $15, depending on demand and traffic [4, 10].

  • Driving

    If driving, navigate to 309 S Jackson St, Montgomery, AL 36104 [4, 10]. Limited street parking is available near the museum [4]. Several parking lots are located within a few blocks, with hourly rates typically ranging from $1 to $3 [4, 10]. Street parking is free after 5:00 PM and on weekends [10].

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Discover more about Dexter Parsonage Museum

The Dexter Parsonage Museum, located in the Centennial Hill neighborhood of Montgomery, Alabama, is a historic residence that served as the home of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., his wife Coretta Scott King, and their family from 1954 to 1960 [4, 5, 7, 9]. During this time, Dr. King was the pastor of the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church [4, 5, 9]. The two-story clapboard house, built in 1912 and acquired by the church in 1919, has been carefully restored to reflect its appearance during the King's residency [4, 5, 7, 8, 9]. Visitors can explore the various rooms, including the living room, dining room, bedrooms, and Dr. King's study, each furnished with period pieces, many of which were actually used by the King family [4, 6, 9]. The museum's Interpretive Center features exhibits that chronicle the events of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the role of the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church in the movement, and the lives of the twelve pastors who resided in the parsonage from 1920 to 1992 [4, 6, 9]. Exhibits include photographs, documents, and artifacts that bring the stories of the past to life [4, 5, 8, 9]. The King-Johns Garden for Reflection provides a serene space for contemplation and remembrance [4, 6]. The parsonage witnessed both the joys and the hardships of the King family as they navigated the turbulent waters of the Civil Rights Movement [4, 5, 9]. It was here that Dr. King strategized, wrote, and found solace amidst the escalating tensions of the era [4, 5, 9]. In January 1956, during the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the parsonage was bombed, highlighting the violence and hatred the King family endured [4, 7, 9, 10, 11]. The Dexter Parsonage Museum is a living memorial to the Civil Rights Movement and the enduring legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. [4, 5, 8, 9].

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