Rodney Cook Sr. Park at Historic Vine City

04/23/2021

On April 21st, the National Monuments Foundation, in conjunction with the City of Atlanta, installed a statue of the late Congressman John Lewis at Rodney Cook, Sr. Park. The statue, created by sculptor Gregory Johnson, honors the life and legacy of Congressman Lewis, a pivotal leader of the civil rights movement. Congressman Lewis was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from the 5th congressional district, which includes most of Atlanta, in 1987, and served 17 terms in the legislature before his death on July 17, 2020, and as the longest-serving member of Georgia’s House delegates would serve as the Dean of the Georgia delegation. In recognition of his long and distinguished career as a statesman and his passionate crusade for peace and civil rights, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama in 2011. Congressman Lewis’s statue is the first of 18 statues honoring Georgian leaders in peace and civil rights to be installed at the park, the narrative of which commemorates a 300-year tradition of peace in this state.

07/22/2020

https://mailchi.mp/thegatemuseum/honoring-the-freedom-fighter-dr-ct-vivian

06/05/2019

Check out this video of artist Stan Mullins! Mullins is sculpting a statue of Chief Tomochichi, who, rather than massacring them, peacefully welcomed British settlers arriving on the coast of Georgia. As such, we consider Chief Tomochichi a co-founder of Georgia, along with James Oglethorpe. Upon completion, Chief Tomochichi’s statue will be placed atop the Peace Column in the center of the Rodney Cook, Sr. Peace Park. Cook Park will highlight 18 peacemakers and Civil Rights leaders from the Vine City community, and tell the story of Georgia’s 300 year legacy of peace.

Quick spot for a one of a kind statue, representing the most notable Native American of Georgia: Chief Tomochichi. Music: bensound - allthat

01/30/2019

Exciting news concerning the National Park Service’s purchase of Dr. Martin Luther King’s Life Home! Click on the link to read the full article in the New York Times.

"Ms. King said the neighborhood was in a period of transition, pointing to Rodney Cook Sr. Park, a 16-acre green space at the northern side of Vine City that was expected to open this year, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which opened at the edge of the neighborhood in 2017. The home on Sunset Avenue is expected to become another draw for visitors."

For decades after Dr. King was killed in 1968, his family kept the brick house on Sunset Avenue in Atlanta. Soon it will be open to the public.

11/21/2018

Happy Thanksgiving from the National Monuments Foundation - https://mailchi.mp/thegatemuseum/happy-thanksgiving-from-the-national-monuments-foundation

11/28/2017

05/19/2017

Rodney Cook Sr. Park in Atlanta's Historic Vine City breaks ground (SLIDESHOW) http://bizj.us/1p6mzq Via:

Work on Rodney Cook Sr. Park in Atlanta's Historic Vine City is now underway.

09/29/2016

The announcement of the National Monuments Foundation's mission and programs for the Atlanta Way. Congressman John Lewis delivers keynote speech in support of the NMF and it’s mission.

09/27/2016

Pastor Dexter Johnson, Chairman of the Vine City Civic Association and Senior Pastor of Higher Ground Baptist Church, showing support for Mims Park at Atlanta City Council.

09/27/2016

Dr. C. T. Vivian at Atlanta City Council showing support for Mims Park.

09/27/2016

Bettijo Cook Trawick, widow of Rodney Mims Cook, Sr., at Atlanta City Council showing support for Mims Park.

09/27/2016

JR Murphy, resident of Vine City and local entrepreneur, showing support for Mims Park at Atlanta City Council.