Photo courtesy of the Children’s Museum

By Justin Criado

Two area museums are celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Monday, Jan. 19 with a full schedule of activities for all ages.

The Mattress Factory on 500 Sampsonia Way in Central Northside will hold a Martin Luther King Jr. birthday bash from 12-4 p.m.

Admission is “give what you can,” and activities include decorating a birthday crown, collaborating on a dream city and making an “I have a dream” magnet, amongst others. Birthday cake will also be served.

For more information on the birthday event please visit the official website.

The Children’s Museum started the MLK festivities Monday, Jan. 12 by celebrating Pittsburgh’s Freedom Corner, which is the corner of Centre Avenue and Crawford Street in Downtown and the symbol of Pittsburgh’s Civil Rights Movement.

Participants created collages with images from the Civil Rights Movement.

The activities will continue Monday, Jan. 19 when the “King for a Day” program welcomes visitors of all ages from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. to read the inspiring words of Dr. King. The program will be hosted by the Saturday Light Brigade Radio Show, which is stationed in the museum.

Visitors will also be treated to Book of Ezra performances at 1 p.m. Pittsburgh-native Leslie Ezra Smith will perform scenes from his first one-man play, Book of Ezra. Leslie shares his knowledge, wisdom and life experiences to assist youth in healing their spiritual and mental well-being in order to produce more peaceful minds, homes and communities.

For more information on schedule of activities please visit the official website.