Martin Luther King Jr. in Connecticut Memorial Design

      This memorial includes a series of five glass panels that each discuss different aspects of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life. In order the panels represent King’s family history, his journey to Simsbury his time in Simsbury, the impact it had on his life, his departure and return to the segregated South with the final panel describing MLK’s life and the subsequent legacy.

On the panels, the etched text appears to float unsupported on glass, which was chosen to reflect the idea that his words are not meant to be bound by walls, but to be understood and reflected upon by all people. The south-facing entry and north-facing exit markers of the memorial convey Dr. King’s journey from the South to North and are made of brownstone, a stone native to Connecticut and many historical buildings in Simsbury. There will also be a bench made of Georgia granite, where MLK is from. The memorial is located in the center of town, on the grounds of Simsbury Free Library.​

This memorial is not just a monument but rather a place where people can sit, reflect, and learn about Dr. King. It serves to educate people about the struggle that MLK dedicated his life to then, and continues today, to obtain equal rights. People should come to this memorial and be inspired to realize the impact that they can have on the world,  especially students. King was a young student when he worked in Simsbury and was heavily impacted by the integrated community. Martin Luther King Jr. changed the whole world with his movement against racism.
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