An Oh So Sweet Celebration in Sweet Auburn

Another slice of Atlanta history will remain intact thanks to the success of a 30-year-long partnership between the Trust for Public Land and the National Park Service in their efforts to preserve the boyhood home and block of Martin Luther King Jr.
On October 28, TPL conveyed one of the last privately owned parcels in the MLK National Historic District to NPS. This transaction represents TPL's continued commitment to preserve the neighborhood's cultural heritage and to recapture the vitality and distinctiveness the Auburn Avenue area enjoyed during Dr. King's life.
To commemorate the ownership transfer of 530 Auburn Avenue, The Wyche Group joined TPL to plan and implement a 1930s-style neighborhood celebration.
A historic car was parked along the street, children played street games, and "John Wesley Dobbs" made an appearance for the special day. Guests enjoyed old fashioned cakes, popcorn, Coca-colas and lemonade. All in all, the block truly represented what life was like when Dr. King lived there.
We were thrilled it turned out to be a beautiful day. The rain the night before pressure washed the block, leaving the corridor on Auburn Avenue brilliantly gleaming for the ceremony.
Numerous special guests were in attendance and an impressive group of VIPs participated in the program, including TPL national president (in from San Francisco) and MLK Jr.'s sister, Christine King Ferris, and her son Isaac Ferris. Unexpected, special guests cam to the event - the great granddaughters of the original home owners.
We also had a terrific showing of media at the event. The Atlanta Journal Constitution, Atlanta Business Chronicle, Atlanta Magazine, WABE-FM, WAGA-TV, 11Alive, and WSB-TV all joined the celebration.
The Wyche Group is proud to be a part of the efforts to ensure the character of Sweet Auburn and the neighborhood that nurtured Dr. King and his vision will be preserved forever.
Click on the links above to view broadcasts and articles surrounding the event.