Draft of Martin Luther King Jr. speech showcases the thought process of the legendary orator
January 16, 2026
A rare piece of civil rights history is quietly preserved behind the scenes at Museum of World Treasures. Housed in the museum’s archives is an early draft of a speech written by Martin Luther King Jr., believed to date to the early 1960s. The single-page document includes both typed text and handwritten notes, offering a glimpse into Dr. King’s writing process as ideas took shape that would later echo through some of the most important speeches in American history.
Because of its fragility, the document is not on public display. Museum staff carefully preserve it in a climate-controlled environment, stored in acid-free materials and protected from light exposure that could cause the ink and paper to deteriorate over time. In a recent interview with Carla Eckels of NPR member station KMUW, museum Education Manager Matt Dwier shared insights into the document’s possible origins, its physical condition, and the meticulous care required to ensure its long-term preservation.
Read the full story on KMUW and watch the accompanying news segment to learn more about this remarkable artifact and the work that goes into protecting it for future generations.
