Students from the Atlanta University Center visit Dr. Martin Luther King's Tomb at Southview Cemetery

Object Details

Photograph by: Horace C. Henry, American, born 1948
Subject of: Unidentified Woman or Women; Unidentified Child or Children; Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., American, founded 1906; Clark Atlanta University, American, founded 1988
Printed by: Unidentified

Description: This black and white photograph was taken the day of the first commemorative event for Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday in 1969. The photograph shows a group of unidentified women and children visiting King's original burial site at South-View Cemetery. There are three woman standing on the far side of the tomb in front of a tomb that reads [REYNOLDS]. A group of unidentified children are standing behind the women.; The large white marble gravestone at proper right is partially cut of the image. The tomb reads [REV MARTIN LUTHER KING JR / 1929-1968 / "FREE AT LAST, FREE AT LAST, / THANK GOD ALMIGHTY I'M FREE AT LAST."] There is a space in front of the headstone that is filled with small pebbles and lined in stone. At the bottom of the photograph is a small ceremonial flame sitting on the rocks.; There is a wreath on the grave with a cursive signature [Alpha Phi Alpha / Eta Lambda Chapter]. The flowers are in the shape of the Alpha Phi Alpha greek letters. The wreath is leaning against the tomb behind the woman in the white coat.; The back of the photograph has a manufacturer's mark, and handwritten and printer's inscriptions.

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Horace C. Henry

January 15, 1969; printed 2011

Restrictions & Rights: © Horace Henry; Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.

Place depicted: Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia, United States, North and Central America

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Portfolio/Series: One Day in January: A Collection of Images Taken at Dr. King’s First Memorial Service
Classification: Photographs and Still Images

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Topic: African American; Associations and institutions; Baptist; Civil Rights; Fraternal organizations; Funeral customs and rites; HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities); Photography; Religion; Religious rituals and ceremonies; U.S. History, 1961-1969

GUID (Link to Original Record): http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5ab6eea3e-c176-450c-b517-35d54a658586