The power of partnership: The purchase of Martin Luther King, Jr’s papers  

Today, Atlanta residents can view Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s historical papers at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights or at Morehouse College. Did you know that Atlanta almost lost this vital piece of King’s legacy before a group of partners mobilized?  

In 2006, the children of Dr. King placed his personal papers with Sotheby’s for auction. The collection was valued at an estimated $30 million, but for Atlantans, it was priceless. Time was of the essence – the papers were already at Sotheby’s and the date of the auction was scheduled.  

Mayor Shirley Franklin spearheaded a campaign for Atlanta to keep the papers, but she needed help and she needed it fast. She knew she could raise funds for the purchase over time, but the purchase would not wait. Mayor Franklin called upon the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, which borrowed $32 million from SunTrust (now Truist) for the purchase.  

After a series of complicated meetings to negotiate the purchase that involved members of Atlanta’s civic, educational, financial, philanthropic and nonprofit sectors, a large contingent of partners went to New York for the purchase.  

“There was a feeling of excitement and honor to be a part of the efforts to bring these historical documents home where residents of metro Atlanta could enjoy them for years,” says Wanda Wallace, a Community Foundation staff member for over 32 years. “I was so proud of our role, but it really was such a collaboration from a cross-section of the Atlanta community! We received gifts from 200 corporate, foundation and individual donors to make it happen. The Foundation hosting viewing events that are some of my favorite memories of my tenure here.” 

On top of the dollars to purchase the collection, arrangements to house and maintain the collection were essential. Morehouse College stepped up to be the ongoing archivist and holder of the papers. By the time Mayor Franklin left office in 2010, she and the Foundation had raised the funds to repay the loan and Morehouse received the title of the collection, which still makes them available for researchers. Long-term arrangements were also made to display them at what would become the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, which had not yet broken ground.  

“It was an emotional moment, to see the papers and know they were going to stay in Atlanta,” said Wanda. 

If you would like to view the papers, selections from the Morehouse College Martin Luther King Jr. Collection are on public display at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.

Pictured: Briefcase containing the final contents Dr. King had with him at the time of his assassination: two unopened tubes of shaving powder among a stack of faded papers, personal items such as credit card receipts, travel coupons, and magazines. From 1944 to 1968, the briefcase carried hundreds of artifacts handwritten notes, correspondence, speech drafts, alongside important and everyday keepsakes – that shed light on Dr. King’s life and mind. 

Photo Courtesy: Morehouse College