Detroit Evening Report: House where Martin Luther King Jr planned Alabama marches moving to Michigan
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The Jackson House
The Henry Ford has a new building moving to Greenfield Village to preserve civil rights history.
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The Jackson House served as a safe haven for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his civil rights allies as they worked, collaborated, strategized and planned the Selma-to-Montgomery marches of 1965.
Jawana Jackson lived in the home as a young girl throughout the 1960s. Jackson spoke with curators at the Dearborn-based museum last year to preserve the home.
“The promise I made to my parents at their deaths to preserve our rich family legacy is now fulfilled,” Jackson said in a statement. “I am honored to partner with The Henry Ford to enhance the visitor experience with the addition of the Jackson House at Greenfield Village. This historic private residence will now be included among other nationally significant homes and artifacts which represent America’s commitment to justice, peace and freedom for all.”
The Jackson House is now more than 100 years old and THF officials said its entire contents are remarkably preserved, including the dining room with a maple table which civil rights leaders sat.
Moving the home is a multi-year project and the museum plans to update the public on its timeline.
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