Celebrating the Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy at National Museum of African American History and Culture

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) ushers in January 2024 with a compelling array of programming dedicated to honoring Martin Luther King Jr., and his indelible life and legacy. Through a diverse lineup of educational initiatives, the museum pays homage to King and the impact he made globally.

Iconic Display: “I Have a Dream” Speech and Associated Memorabilia

Commencing on January 8, 2024, the museum proudly showcases the original “I Have a Dream” speech delivered by King during the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. This historic artifact, on loan from Villanova University, will be available for public viewing until March 4, 2024. Accompanying this momentous exhibit are objects linked to King’s life, including a Congressional Gold Medal posthumously awarded to both King and Coretta Scott King in 2014. Moreover, visitors can view a laundry pail used by King during the march from Selma to Montgomery and a 1956 handbill advertising a prayer meeting at a Boston church featuring King.

Engaging Events and Performances

On January 8, 2024, the museum welcomes author Jonathan Eig for an exclusive event titled “King: A Life” held at the Oprah Winfrey Theater. This event features a discussion about Eig’s latest biography, offering a vivid and extensively researched portrayal of King’s life. Additionally, on January 15, 2024, the museum hosts “The People’s Holiday: The Many Dreams of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.” This community program showcases powerful performances by students from the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, reimagining and reinterpreting King’s influential life and work through original artistic presentations.

Culinary Celebrations and Special Offerings

From January 12 to January 15, 2024, the museum’s Sweet Home Café joins in the holiday celebration by offering a special menu featuring some of King’s favorite dishes, including ribs, collard greens, and a delectable chocolate bourbon pecan pie. Visitors can relish these culinary delights as part of the commemorative events.

Event Schedule and Museum Details

Key Events

“King: A Life” with Author Jonathan Eig Monday, Jan. 8, 2024; 7 p.m.–8 p.m.
Oprah Winfrey Theater
Featuring a discussion with Jonathan Eig about his newest book, King: A Life, moderated by Michel Martin of NPR’s “Morning Edition.” Registration is required for this free program.

The People’s Holiday: The Many Dreams of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.**

Monday, Jan. 15, 2024; 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
An annual community program highlighting performances by Duke Ellington School of the Arts students, interactive activities, and more. Registration is required for this free public program.

Museum Information

The museum will operate during its regular hours from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., honoring the holiday.
Advanced and same-day free timed-entry passes for museum access are available online.

For more details on specific events and programs, including registration and additional information, visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Martin Luther King Jr. Objects on View

“I Have a Dream Speech”

King’s original “I Have a Dream” speech from the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom is on loan the museum from Villanova University. The case containing the speech has been reinstalled just in time for visitors to view the historic document ahead of this year’s Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. It will be on view in the “Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: The Era of Segregation, 1876–1968” exhibition from Jan. 8 through March 4, 2024.

A Handbill advertising a prayer meeting with Martin Luther King Jr.

This printed handbill announces a “Prayer Meeting and Song Fest” with King at the United Methodist Church in Boston on March 23, 1956. The meeting was sponsored by the Sigma Chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and the Interdenominational Ministers’ Alliance of Boston. On view in the museum’s Center for African American Media Arts gallery.

Laundry pail associated with the 1965 Selma to Montgomery March

King used this galvanized aluminum laundry pail during the march from Selma to Montgomery. On view in the museum’s “Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: The Era of Segregation, 1876–1968” exhibition.

Congressional Gold Medal for Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King

A Congressional Gold Medal bestowed upon King and Coretta Scott King.

One side has inscribed text surrounding a depiction of King and Coretta Scott King. The text reads: “Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King / Act of Congress / 2004 / For Their Service to Humanity.”

The other side features an image of the King Center for Nonviolent Social Change at the top and a wreath along the bottom edge. The engraved text reads: “I suggest that the philosophy and strategy of nonviolence become immediately a subject for study for serious experimentation in every field of human conflict, by no means excluding the relations between nations. This may well be mankind’s last chance to choose between chaos and community.” On view in the museum’s “Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: The Era of Segregation, 1876–1968” exhibition.

A Donation can for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)

This donation can is made of tin and wrapped in white paper. The paper has a black and white image of King and Ralph David Abernathy and text that reads: [I Gave] above an address. On view in the museum’s “1968 & Beyond” exhibition.

I Have a Dream Speech - Photo credit: Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture
Handbill advertising a prayer meeting with Martin Luther King Jr - Photo credit: Collection of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture
Laundry pail associated with the 1965 Selma to Montgomery March - Photo credit: Collection of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture
Congressional Gold Medal for Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King - Photo credit: Collection of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture
Donation can for Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) - Photo credit: Collection of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture
Pinback button memorial depicting Martin Luther King, Jr.ca. 1968. Credit: Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Peggy Boyd Petrey

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Tags: African-American history, American History, Martin Luther King Jr., National Museum of African American History and Culture, NMAAHC, Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History, The Smithsonian

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