MLK Home, Historic Sites to Remain Open During Shutdown With Funding From Delta Airlines

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Birth Home of Martin Luther King, Jr in Atlanta. / NPS, HFC

As the hometown of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. prepares to observe the civil rights leaders birthday, a private company is stepping in to make sure that those who wish to visit his home, closed during the shutdown, can do so.Morning Edition Host Leah Flemming reports on the grant from Delta Airlines to keep the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park open during the partial government shutdown.

Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines announced they are contributing $83,500 in grant funding to help re-open the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park in Atlanta. The park closed on December 22 due to a partial federal government shutdown.

Thank you, @Delta. https://t.co/Jjc1II2V2x— Be A King (@BerniceKing) January 18, 2019

The grant covers costs related to the re-opening and cleaning of the park, administrative expenses, employee wages and neglected maintenance.

Sites include King's birth home, historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, historic Fire Station No. 6 and the park's visitor center.

“These historic landmarks represent the strength of our community and should always be made available for the public to enjoy,” Bastian said in a statement.

Beginning Saturday, January 19th the park will be open to the public and will remain operating through the day of the Super Bowl, or until the shutdown ends, whichever occurs first.

In an initiative announced in 2016, Delta aims to give one percent of their annual net profits to community organizations. Bastian says, "I’m honored and humbled that Delta Air Lines will continue supporting Dr. King’s legacy by funding the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park."