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CNN Live At Daybreak

Preservation Efforts Under Way for 'Sweet Auburn,' Atlanta Area Where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Began Life, Work

Aired July 03, 2001 - 08:19   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: This is a great opportunity for all of us to take a look at exactly what makes America beautiful -- a special series right here on CNN.

COLLEEN MCEDWARDS, CNN ANCHOR: That's right. Leading up to the holiday, we're going to be looking at some of the areas. One of them, Auburn Avenue, or "Sweet Auburn," is right here in Atlanta.

It is the neighborhood where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. lived and preached.

CNN's Eric Philips is there -- Eric.

ERIC PHILIPS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol and Colleen.

We're actually inside the visitor's center here, where there are lots of exhibits to see, to educate, and to inspire. It was all made possible after 1980, when then-President Jimmy Carter signed into legislation the National Martin Luther King National Historic District here in the "Sweet Auburn" community.

There are three main structures that highlight this area. His birth home, his tomb, and Ebenezer Baptist Church, where he was baptized, at age five, where he preached his first sermon, and where he preached his last sermon, just two months before he was assassinated.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PHILIPS (voice-over): Services were held here in the old Ebenezer sanctuary from 1922 until 1999. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. grew up here. His grandfather and father were pastors. MLK Jr. became co-pastor in 1960.

Longtime member Auretha English remembers him as a child.

AURETHA ENGLISH, EBENEZER CHURCH MEMBER: He didn't just happen to be in the Civil Rights movement. He was born in it.

PHILIPS: A new Ebenezer has been built since those days, across the street from the old one. To give visitors an authentic experience, the old church is being made new again, just like many of the other structures on Auburn Avenue, in this national historic district.

SAUDIA MAWWAKKIL, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE: They want to touch the things that Dr. King touched. They want to see the things that Dr. King saw.

PHILIPS: 501 Auburn Avenue reveals the roots of Dr. King. He was born in this house, took lessons on this piano, slept in this room, and played on this banister -- the emphasis, keeping the spirit of the man and his message alive and relevant.

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING: ... have seen the Promised Land.

PHILIPS: It's why all the exhibits in the park's visitor center are visual and even interactive.

COMPUTER VOICE: Before you can inspire...

PHILIPS: It's even why the King family says it OKed the creation of this Alcatel commercial: to keep the message fresh for audiences worldwide.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We've come so far, but our children need to understand that things weren't always the way they are now.

PHILIPS: This historic district is a true reminder.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's simply beautiful.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILIPS: This exhibit symbolizes the many marches Dr. King led during the Civil Rights movement. Some 600,000 people come here each year so they can try to walk in the footsteps of Dr. King.

Eric Philips, CNN live, Atlanta.

LIN: That's terrific. Thanks, Eric.

MCEDWARDS: That's great. Eric, thanks very much.

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