The Making of the King Mural

The Making of the King Mural Exhibit tells the story of the iconic memorial to Dr. King’s life and work that hangs today in the Great Hall of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library in Washington, D.C. The mural was painted by artist and Civil Rights Activist, Don Miller (1923 - 1993). The Making of the King Mural exhibit would not be possible without the help of Don Miller's sons, Craig and Eric, who generously shared information, stories and images of their father and his work.

The exhibition, which is sponsored by the DC Public Library Foundation, is on display on the east side of the Great Hall at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library from Jan. 17 - Mar. 31, 2022. Read on to learn more about the exhibition or click the links below to navigate to specific sections.

About the Artist | The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library | Designing the Mural
Models for the Mural | Unveiling the Mural | Restoring the Mural | DC Public Library Foundation

About the Artist

Don Miller (1923 - 1993) was born in Jamaica and at the age of five immigrated to the United States with his family. They lived in Montclare, NJ. Miller showed a strong interest in art. At the age of 20 he was drafted to serve during WWII and was stationed in Alaska’s Aleutian Islands under the command of Dashiell Hammett. Hammett assigned Miller to work on the daily newspaper, The Adakian, being produced for the 50,000 troops stationed across the Aleutians. Hammett’s was the only desegregated unit in the Army. Later, Miller’s wife, Judy Miller would say about Don Miller’s time during the war, the he, “knew Dashiell Hammett’s decision to integrate the paper was an act of defiance of the status quo, and (Don) admired him for it. He saw him as a kind of hero.” Porco, Peter. “Deadline Adak/Dashing Dashiell Hammet’s Adak Newspaper” Anchorage Daily News, Jan.18, 2015.

Below are some of the cartoons drawn by Miller for The Adakian.
 
This photo shows Hammett surrounded by the staff of the Adakian Newspaper including Don Miller (far right) and Bernie Kalb, front row left. 

The Diane Johnson Collection, Harry Ranson Center, University of Texas.

Miller went on to have a successful career as an artist and graphic designer. His work included book illustrations, portraits and depictions of Africa. 

Opening the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library

The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library opened in August 1972. This photo from the opening, with images of Dr. King attached to the north wall of the Great Hall, shows the desire to have something representing Dr. King in the Library.
In the early 80’s Miller's childhood friend, Charles Lowery, was head of facilities for the DC Public Library system. While visiting Lowery at his MLK Office, Miller saw the blank wall in the Great Hall (pictured below) and was inspired to lobby the Library for funding to create a mural depicting the life of Dr. King.   

Designing the Mural

In November of 1984, Miller received a contract to research, design and paint a mural for the library. Miller spent a year researching the life and work of Dr. King before designing the mural. 

Models for the Mural

Miller used his son, Craig, as a model for one of the protesters shot with a firehose.
 
Using black and white photos, Miller included this portrait of Andrew Goodman, a voting rights worker murdered in 1964. Miller invited Goodman’s mother to his studio to see the mural. She admired the mural and corrected her son’s hair color from light brown to dark brown.
 

Marion Barry’s portrait is painted to the left of Dr. King and his wife Coretta Scott King.

Miller Family Photos.

Unveiling the Mural

Journalist Gil Noble hosted a segment of his show, "Like IT IS," from Miller's Montclair, NJ studio. Guests on the show that day included: Rev. Wyatt Tee Walker, Dorothy Cotten, Ralph Abernathy, Andrew Young, Rev. C.T. Vivian, Rev. Fred L. Shuttlesworth and host Gil Noble.
  Upon arrival, the mural was installed in the Great Hall. Miller's childhood friend, Charles Lowery (second from the right) oversaw the installation. 
On Jan. 20, 1986 the Mural was unveiled as part of the celebration of the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This photo shows Don Miller speaking at the unveiling. The people seated behind him include Dave Clarke, Hilda Mason and Effie Barry.

Restoring the Mural

The DC Public Library Foundation

Founded in 1985, raising funds for the mural was the first organized fundraising event for the DC Public Library Foundation. The effort was led by Nora Drew Gregory who served as a Trustee on the Library Board. Below is an article from The Washington Post about her fundraising work.
DC Public Library is grateful to the DC Public Library Foundation for making this exhibit, and other activities of the Art & Exhibit Program, possible.