Final preparation underway to relocate historic Selma home
From the West Alabama Newsroom–
The historic Jackson House in Selma is now in the final stages of preparation — for an 800 mile relocation to the state of Michigan.
In a little less than two months — crews have carefully dismantled — packed up — and secured the historic home — to get it ready to make the journey to Detroit.
The Jackson House served as the headquarters for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. — during the Selma Voting Rights Movement of 1965.
Dr. Sullivan and Richie Jean Jackson — opened their home to their close personal friend — when he was invited to Selma to lead the movement. They took great care to preserve the house and its history over the years.
Crews are now separating the house into two sections — that will each be sealed so they are weather tight — and ready to be transported to Greenfield Village at the Henry Ford.
“Five thousand people a day will come through our doors to potentially walk through this space or experience this space. And then in addition to that we actually have our digital component where we can reach out to many, many people. You could access the collections, you could see inside,” said Alec Jerome.
“We actually have a curriculum as well. So we can develop that for school groups. So we really feel we can broaden the message and make this a nationwide story regarding the Civil Rights Movement as well as the history of the family.”
Once separated — each section will be lifted and weighed — to get a final permit for the move.
It should be noted that Henry Ford officials say they won’t be leaving behind — a vacant lot.
“We’re not going to be leaving it just as an empty site,” said Jerome.
“We really want to recognize the significance of the home, we want to recognize the significance of the family, the history that was made in this space. So we are going to make sure that we have a monument sign that speaks to all the history. Hopefully with some nice gardening and plantings around it, luminated, as well as a historical marker.”
The Jackson House is on schedule to be all packed up and transported — by the end of the year.
