MLK Archives Acquired by Morehouse College

Individual collectors looking for a piece of American civil rights history will have to look elsewhere. The Sotheby’s auction of Dr. Martin Luther King’s archives (see below), which had been set to take place tomorrow, has been called off. The remarkable collection has been purchased and given to King’s own alma mater, Morehouse College in Atlanta.

Sotheby’s valued the historic trove at $15 million—$30 million. Although no one is revealing the official number, word has it that a group of philanthropists led by Atlanta mayor Shirley Franklin offered more than the estimated price. Their strong belief—and that of many historians and civil rights leaders—is that there could be no more fitting home for the archive than Atlanta. In addition to being Dr. King’s birthplace, it’s also home to the King Center for Nonviolent Social Change, founded by the Reverend’s widow, Coretta Scott King. And having it at Morehouse will ensure that the extraordinary collection will be properly preserved and made accessible to the public.

It is the best possible outcome. —D.L.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/06/24/national/main1749247.shtml

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