Erskine Caldwell Museum to celebrate MLK Day
From Special Reports
“The Little Manse: Birthplace & Museum of Erskine Caldwell” in Moreland, Georgia will celebrate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr., as well as feature the early civil rights writing of Erskine Caldwell, in a program on Saturday, January 21 at 2 p.m. at the Moreland United Methodist Church.
During this special museum program “Erskine Caldwell Celebrates Martin Luther King, Jr.,” local performing artists will bring the spirit of both men to life. Local Newnan actor, Matthew Bailey will read excerpts from King’s “I Have A Dream” Speech; Matthew Lefebvre, an eighth grade student at Smokey Road Middle School, will read a letter Caldwell sent to King after the leader won the Nobel Prize; members of the gospel choir from Mt. Olive Methodist Church in Newnan will perform. Caldwell authority Winston Skinner will explore Caldwell as an early civil rights author
Internationally known for his popular fiction, Erskine Caldwell gained recognition as an early civil rights author. With stories often set in the rural South, Caldwell candidly explored race relations long before many other authors. Additionally, through his non-fiction works, Caldwell featured the struggle of African Americans.
As a special feature the Caldwell museum will welcome visitors to see its current exhibit of the work of acclaimed African American photographer from the twentieth century, P. H. Polk. Among the replicas of his exceptional photographs on display will be a moving portrait of Dr. King. The exhibit features a sample of Polk’s prolific career showing both famous people of his day as well as scenes of everyday life. The exhibit is sponsored by the Southern Literary Trail, Mississippi State University, and Tuskegee University.
Admission to the Caldwell Celebrates King is free. The Moreland United Methodist Church is located at 16 Church St., Moreland, GA 30259; it is across the street from the Erskine Caldwell Museum.
For more details, morelandadventure.com or 678-492-3161.
