Prince Hall Masonic Temple (Atlanta, Georgia)
Prince Hall Masonic Grand Lodge | |
| Location | 330 Auburn Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 33°45′20″N 84°22′36″W / 33.7556°N 84.37680°W |
| Built | 1937-1940; 1941 |
| Part of | Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park and Preservation District (ID74000677) |
| Designated NHLDCP | October 10, 1980 |
The Prince Hall Masonic Grand Lodge in Atlanta, Georgia started in construction in 1937 and was completed in 1940. It is a historic Prince Hall Masonic building located at 330 Auburn Avenue and was added to the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park in 2018.[1]
History
The building of the lodge was spearheaded by Atlanta civic leader John Wesley Dobbs.[2] An African American Masonic organization, its building was supported by the community.[3] In addition to the Prince Hall Lodge, room was let to one of Madam C.J. Walker's Beauty Shoppes, as well as, the WERD radio station.[4][5] The Southern Christian Leadership Conference civil rights organization opened its first headquarters in the building in 1957.[6][5][3] Martin Luther King, Jr worked out of a windowless office in the building for many years.[3] The building was a rare safe haven to hold meetings for black organizations during the Jim Crow era.[3]
The Sweet Auburn Historic District in which the building resides was designated as a National Historic Landmark District in 1976.[7] The building became listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a contributing building in the National Historic Landmark District in 1980.
A partnership with the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park began in 2019 to interpret King’s activities with the SCLC in that building.[1] The Temple underwent a $14 million renovation to preserve and restore much of the original character, led by the Trust for Public Land, which opened to the public in the spring of 2026.[5][8][3]
References
- ^ a b "Protecting the Cultural Resources - Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
- ^ "Prince Hall Masonic Grand Lodge". Atlanta History Center. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e Suggs, Ernie (February 12, 2026). "Refurbished MLK site joins National Park System". AJC.
- ^ "Madam C.J. Walker Museum & WERD Radio". Atlas Obscura. Retrieved February 11, 2023.
- ^ a b c Dixon, Kristal (February 12, 2026). "Prince Hall Masonic Lodge joins MLK National Historical Park". Axios. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
- ^ "Prince Hall Masonic Lodge". New Georgia Encyclopedia. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
- ^ "Sweet Auburn Historic District | National Trust for Historic Preservation". savingplaces.org. December 6, 2021. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
- ^ "Prince Hall Masonic Temple, key location in civil rights, added to MLK National Historic Park". 11Alive.com. February 11, 2026. Retrieved February 12, 2026.