Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial

1964 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024, USA

Address:	1964 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024, USA
Phone:	+1 202-426-6841
Site:	nps.gov
Rating:	4.7
Working:	Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 8

Adrian Shelton

I visited this memorial for the first time during Labor Day weekend, September 2013, with my wife and months-old son, while I was at Ft. Meade for a course. It was in the late evening. I felt tears well up in my eyes the first time I entered and then came around to see what everyone was staring up at...the "stone of hope" separated from the "mountain of despair." The words attributed to this man along the wall behind the "stone" that resemble sound bytes from history, echoing into eternity. It was the largest lump in my throat Ive had to swallow since the happy day I married my wife. Ive seen this memorial once more, February 2017. Like with the Lincoln Memorial, I feel many things such as humbleness, awe, a deep sadness, but mostly hope and inspiration. It is similar to diving into a pool, touching the bottom, and then swimming back up to the surface for air. When Im here, I am aware of the voices of other people and the faint sounds of traffic out on the road. But unlike the Lincoln, when people visit MLK, Jr. Memorial, they are noticeably more quiet and speak in low tones close to whispers. Its the sheer magnitude of knowing how this person inspired an entire people, influenced two U.S. presidents, and helped launch probably the most significant movement for fair and equal and civil treatment of all people, by calling out the injustices of the country and helping legislate the essence of civil rights to which all people are entitled. I like the concept of this memorial, how MLK, Jr. is immortalized in stone as if he literally emerged from the earth. Yet he remains part of the stone, having not emerged completely out of it, because unfortunately he was returned violently back to the earth before he lived 40 years, before he ever really saw the promised land he alluded to in "I Have a Dream." By moving a piece of a hard mountain away, Dr. King softened the heart of America that had in many ways remained indifferent to the awful things people had to endure. He engineered awareness coupled with the media that had the ability to shine a penetrating bright light onto the ugly darkness of Jim Crow, also showing an entire peoples peaceful, non-violent approach and reaction to the unthinkable violence committed unto them by those who absolutely loathed any attempt at desegregation and elimination of the bullcrap "separate but equal" beliefs people harbored. He is one of the clearest epitomes of living life to the fullest, answering ones call, and knowing that there isnt 40 or 50, not even 20 years guaranteed in which youll accomplish some vision you dreamed. A lot happened in his 39 years. He helped accomplish something that was overdue just over 100 years before. There are many people today who do not appreciate the paving of the roads this movement accomplished. But many definitely do, and cannot deny, this was one of the greatest Americans.

A Private User

The sculptor is from Communist China, who saw to it that Chinese, rather than American granite, was used for the structure—which accounts for its “Made in China” inscription. Even worse, the memorial managed to misquote the great man: Not only did he NOT say, “I was a drum major for justice, peace and righteousness,” but his actual words were a hypothetical statement put in someone else’s mouth. Worse still is the demeanor and expression of the sculpture. King was above all an orator, and in photographs he has an open stance, hes open in speaking, in gesturing, and in demonstrating, with his energy directed in an outwardly fashion. Yet in the monument he is depicted with arms folded. That communicates being closed off. Its communication 101...not something communist China really gets the concept of. This memorial does nothing to inspire warmth or freedom. Its unwelcoming.

A Private User

What a disappointment. MLK deserves a fantastic memorial and this one does not do him justice. It features a larger-than-life statue that belies his message that one man really can make a difference, that doesnt look very much like him and shows him in a very awkward/aggressive pose. The quotes are nice, but one of them is paraphrased and they dont manage to convey the greatness of what MLK did--there is no context for his words. While the location is great--between the Lincoln and FDR memorials on the tidal basin, you must cross Independence Avenue to get there are there arent a lot of safe opportunities to do so--many out-of-towners were jaywalking, which is incredibly dangerous on this street. Compared to the FDR memorial, which is right next to MLK and the last new memorial in DC, this memorial is an incredible disappointment.

Candelaria Brown

Part of traveling I think is to eat of the plate of diversity. The African American Nation has a history of struggles and victories. The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial is an iconic representation of this worldwide hero. It is free and open to the public. It sits near the water and it helps even when it is hot outdoors. Just like many of the sites in DC, this place too requires reflection. Observe the lines on the statue and concentrate on the size of the sculpture. Like the personality of this civil right leader, the statue is tall and grandeur. One more thing you should do is to read the series of words all around the site. These are words that the good doctor wrote and they are insightful. These words too challenge the mind and heart to make this world a better place for the good of all – wise travels.

Fer Rubiano

Otra de los muchos monumentos memoriales que hay en esta parte de la ciudad, en esta ocasión dedicado a Luther King. De los memoriales quizás es el que menos me gustó, pero la visita es obligada como a todos los anteriores. Se situa al suroeste del obelisco y a medio camino entre el Lincoln Memorial y el Jefferson Memorial.

Stephen Michael Fox Jr

A beautiful tribute and newest addition to DCs many memorials. The MLK Memorial is DCs newest memorial. Its beautifully located just south from the Lincoln Memorial, over looking the Tidal Basin towards the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. MLK himself is shown emerging from a large white block of stone that is cut from the center of what appears to be a mountain, made of the same white stone, just a few yard behind it. Its all set in a broad plaza that provides a beautiful vantage point for taking in the proud and fitting monument to a man who is hailed as one of our Nations greatest civil rights leader of all times. Very fitting and noble.

Monico Havier

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial is one of my favorites to visit whenever Im in Washington, DC. I love the "Stone of Hope" statue along with the many thought provoking quotes that ring the memorial. Its perfectly located on the Tidal Basin near the Jefferson Memorial, the FDR Memorial and the National Mall. If youre in to photography then I recommend stopping in first thing in the morning when the sun is rising and the crowd levels are low. If youre adventurous then you should make a point of stopping in during peak bloom of the cherry blossoms (but be ready for some serious crowds).

Doug Brown K

This is the best addition to the Washington DC memorials. The huge statue of MLK only barely begins to represent the the huge affect hes had on human kind and the civil rights movement. Make sure you enter through the center entrance which is off West Basin Dr SW & Independence Ave SW. Walking through the tall pillars puts into perspective the experience you are about to encounter in its fullness. I loved the quotes and excepts from all of his inspirational speeches. This is a solemn place great thinking spot and also a poke gym for pokemon go players. :P