This Is My New Jersey

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

When many think of Martin Luther King, Jr., they often think of his childhood in Atlanta, his time as pastor of Ebeneezer Baptist Church, Bloody Sunday in 1965, and sadly, his assignation at the Lorraine Motel. What many may not realize is he spent a considerable amount of time in Camden, New Jersey while studying at Crozer Theological Seminary in Upland, Pennsylvania. Each day, he would return to Camden after a day of studies.

And now, there is a project underway to preserve his home.

The MLK House of Camden

A group of concerned citizens have come together to save this historical landmark and turn it into a museum to help educate future generations of his time in New Jersey. The museum will also display other hidden gems about the life of Dr. Martin Luther King that their unique connection to the city of Camden and his stay at the Crozer Theological Seminary.

Of course all this takes time, effort, organization, and funding.

The museum will also display a video enactment of his experience at Mary’s Café on June 11, 1950 when a young Martin Luther King, along with his good friend Walter McCall, and two young ladies were denied service and threatened by the owner as he shot a gun in the air. This threat and act of violence was the pivotal moment that inspired and ultimately led to his position in the civil rights movement.

“This piece of historic real estate must be saved for generations yet unborn.” ~U.S. Representative John Lewis

This preservation project has been in the works for a long time and received support from the late U.S. Rep. John Lewis.

As I have blogged about in the past, New Jersey is home to a great number of historical sites that played pivotal roles in the development of this nation. The MLK Camden House is one of those great sites and needs support from the public to bring this project to life.

If you are able, I hope you will consider making a donation to a worthy cause right in New Jersey’s backyard.