Preserving The Dream

A New Generation Restoring The Landscapes Of Dr. King’s Life

It has been nearly six decades since the assassination of Civil Rights icon Martin Luther King, Jr. Today, a four-person historic preservation team has the opportunity to walk in his footsteps through a new partnership with the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park in Atlanta.

With support from the National Park Foundation, the team is helping park rangers restore historic buildings connected to King’s life and legacy. The 39-acre park contains the King Center, the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, Dr. King’s birth home and tomb.

Also included is a portion of the surrounding Sweet Auburn neighborhood, including the historic Fire Station No. 6, which was one of Atlanta’s first fire stations to integrate in the 1960s. As part of the park’s expansion, the Prince Hall Masonic Temple and Lodge, which housed the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, will reopen to the public later this year.

‘I was born to do something that matters.’

Portrait of SCA crew member Cameron Jordan wearing a brown knit hat, blue neck gaiter, and a high-visibility yellow jacket over a dark hoodie. The background is blurred, focusing attention on the person's layered outdoor clothing.

Photo Credit: Akili Ramsess

“So far, I am loving it. It’s really rewarding to see that we can carry his legacy forward. If we set the standard of preservation, in the future, my kids or grandkids can go back to these spaces,” said SCA crew member Cameron Jordan, 25. “Opinions are subjective, but facts are not. If we completely erase our history, then we are in danger of repeating it.”

Armed with a degree in Kinesiology, Jordan was working at a local gym when he came across the job posting and decided to apply.

“I was born to do something that matters,” he said. “For me, it was the opportunity to do something new out of my comfort zone. The park is so special and holds such historic value. It’s important for us to know our history so we know how to move forward in the future.”

‘I’m very grateful to be in this moment.’

Photograph of SCA crew members and their Park Service instructor gathered around a workshop table with tools and materials, engaged in a hands-on activity or demonstration. Participants wear casual and safety clothing, including a high-visibility vest and branded shirts, indicating a collaborative learning or training environment focused on construction or repair skills.

Photo Credit: Akili Ramsess

The team is spending their season working on various service projects alongside park service staff, including window restoration and glazing, historic wood repair, brick structure maintenance, painting and basic masonry.

“I feel honored to be a part of such an important part of history and also a living legacy where people can come together and understand the importance of the work we do,” said SCA crew leader Andrew Roznowski, 34, of Atlanta. “It’s extremely uplifting, and I’m very grateful to be in this moment.”

After working in construction throughout the city, Roznowski landed a spot on the production team for HGTV’s Married to Real Estate series. Following the show’s cancellation last year, he came across an ad for the team.

“I see myself as a worker, and I love to do manual labor, and at the same time, I am very much an artist. I always saw the work as an opportunity to make something beautiful that is available to everyone,” he said. “The stories and messages are some of the most powerful things. And the fact that we can not only retell the stories, but we can also help preserve the objects and structures, is transformative and builds a sense of self-confidence.”

‘We are not just maintaining resources.’

Photograph of a historic two-story house identified as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birth Home, with a brown sign in front stating it is temporarily closed for restoration and preservation. The house is behind a chain-link fence, and the sign includes a black-and-white photo of Dr. King, a QR code, and contact information for visitor inquiries.

Photo credit: Akili Ramsess

The park is one of only a few National Park Service sites in an urban setting. Its unique location and collection of historic buildings tell a story outside of a landscape.

“Preservation is how we ensure that history remains a tangible conversation rather than a fading memory. Welcoming this dedicated SCA crew to the park has been an absolute inspiration for our staff,” said Reginald Chapple, the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park & Preservation District Superintendent.

“We are not just maintaining resources. We are honoring the living legacy that Dr. King left behind, ensuring that when future generations visit the park, the spirit of the Civil Rights movement remains as resilient as ever.”

‘I am proud of myself.’

Photograph of SCA crew member Alana Rice using a hand tool to work on a piece of wood clamped in a metal vise on a workbench. The scene highlights detailed craftsmanship with a focus on the wood, tool, and vise, emphasizing manual woodworking skills.

Photo Credit: Akili Ramsess

The historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, where Dr. King was baptized, ordained, preached, and delivered many of his sermons and speeches, left an indelible mark on SCA crew member Alanna Rice.

“One thing that struck me was that the church he preached in was also a hub for mutual aid, and I was very touched by that. Now we are preserving that spot in time so people can feel what was felt then,” she said. “I am proud of myself for the work we’re doing and thankful to all of the people who have been teaching me.”

Rice moved from California to Atlanta with a group of friends at the end of last year. The 26-year-old was excited to learn more about historic preservation while working outdoors.

“I never knew a position like this would be accessible to me. There are so many people like me who need someone to take a chance on them and give them the freedom to be great,” Rice said. “It’s been really awesome, and I feel lucky to wrestle with the things I have to think about.”