Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was once a graduate student at the now-closed Crozer Theological Seminary in Upland, writes Andrew Seidman for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

While a student there, it was believed he stayed at a home at 753 Walnut Street in Camden, N.J.

Local activist Patrick Duff wants New Jersey to recognize the home as a historic site.

But the state recently declared the property ineligible.

“It does not mean that Dr. King was never present at 753 Walnut St.,” wrote Ray Bukowski, assistant commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection. “It does mean that Dr. King neither lived nor resided there,” the letter, dated Jan. 31, said.

The house has been vacant for decades and was almost demolished in 2016.

Duff is appealing the state’s determination to the National Park Service.

The state acknowledged that King spent time at the home but said King lived at Crozer during his three years there.

The “Old Main” building at Crozer is among eight properties in the country listed on the National Register of Historic Places with strong associations to King, the state letter says.

Read more about Martin Luther King Jr.’s time in Upland and  Camden here.

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