Documenting the American South

Monument Name

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park and Memorial, Hendersonville

Type

Public Space

Marker

Subjects

Historic Political Figures

Historic Civic Figures

Historic Religious Figures

Historic African American Figures

Historic Protest Figures

African American Monuments

Creator

McMahan Memorials, Inc., Fletcher, NC, Builder

City

Hendersonville

County

Henderson

Description

The memorial is a polished black granite slab 5-feet tall, 3-feet wide and 6-inches thick with three photographic images of King’s face near the top. Below the images are quotes by Dr. King. The same images and inscriptions appear on both sides. The memorial stands on a single granite base resting on a circular concrete pad surrounded by brick pavers and three concrete benches. Names of prominent citizens are inscribed on bricks of the park's walkway. At the unveiling, over ten first "inductees" were recognized, with a plan of adding up to three new names annually.

Images: MLK Memorial | Park sign | Far-off view | View towards the street

Inscription

“OUR NETTLESOME TASK IS / TO DISCOVER HOW TO / ORGANIZE OUR STRENGTH / INTO COMPELLING POWER.”

“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.”

“INJUSTICE ANYWHERE IS A / THREAT TO JUSTICE / EVERYWHERE.”

Custodian

Henderson County

Dedication Date

March 12, 2006

Decade

2000s

Geographic Coordinates

35.316780 , -82.457670 View in Geobrowse

Supporting Sources

Rich Jonathan. “MLK Park Keeps Hope Alive,” BlueRidgeNow.com, January 16, 2006, (accessed March 28, 2021) Link

“MLK Monument to Be Unveiled at Park Dedication,” BlueRidgeNow.com, March 11, 2006, (accessed March 28, 2021) Link

Public Site

Yes

Materials & Techniques

Black granite from India

Sponsors

City of Hendersonville

Monument Cost

$5,500

Monument Dedication and Unveiling

The Martin Luther King Jr. Park dedication and monument unveiling was held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 12, 2006. The event featured remarks by Hendersonville Mayor Greg Newman, dramatic readings from speeches of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. by the Hendersonville High School drama group, a prayer of dedication and the unveiling of the Martin Luther King Jr. monument. Several other festivities took place at the unveiling, including recognition of over ten first "inductees" for the park who "significantly impacted our community by promoting racial harmony, enhancing cultural diversity and advancing opportunities for achievement in Henderson County," said Kaye Thompson, an organizer of the event.

Location

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park and the monument are located at 400 N. Grove St., Hendersonville, NC 28792 (Walnut Park prior to 2004.)

Landscape

The memorial stands near the sidewalk among the trees in a small park with benches, several picnic tables and a walking path next to a large parking area for the county courthouse.