Dexter Parsonage Museum: Home of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The Dexter Parsonage Museum, located at 309 S Jackson St in Montgomery, Alabama, is a historic house that served as the residence of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., his wife Coretta Scott King, and their children from 1954 to 1960. During this time, Dr. King was the pastor of the adjacent Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church, and the parsonage became a center for strategizing and finding solace amidst the escalating tensions of the Civil Rights Movement. The two-story clapboard house, built in 1912, was purchased by the church in 1919 to serve as a residence for its pastors. It is located in the Centennial Hill neighborhood, known as a middle- and upper-class African-American community. The house has been meticulously restored to reflect its appearance during the King's residency, with many original pieces used by the family. Visitors can explore the living room, dining room, bedrooms, and Dr. King's study, gaining an intimate glimpse into their daily lives. The museum also highlights the violence and hatred endured by the King family, including the visible remnants of the 1956 bombing. The adjacent Interpretive Center features exhibits that chronicle the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the role of the church in the movement, and the lives of the twelve pastors who resided in the parsonage from 1920 to 1992. The King-Johns Garden for Reflection provides a serene space for contemplation. The museum is a powerful reminder of the Civil Rights Movement and the ongoing struggle for social justice.