Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument in Alabama, USA - map and visitor information

Research checked: 2026-10-29. Check linked official notices before travel.

Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument connects historic sites in Birmingham, Alabama, where visitors can study the Civil Rights Movement. Start at the temporary NPS visitor center in the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute Commons while the A.G. Gaston Motel’s 1954 wing remains closed for renovation.

Places that connect the civil rights story

Kelly Ingram Park brings civil rights monuments together along a short outdoor walking trail. The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute offers museum exhibits, while nearby churches have their own tour arrangements. Plan those visits separately from the NPS stop.

Plan around separate sites and schedules

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Walking safely between sites

Use crosswalks at busy streets and watch for uneven or slippery paving. Bring water and prepare for the weather. The NPS safety guidance addresses walking, heat, winter conditions, and city awareness.

Respect the district and its wildlife

Do not feed birds or squirrels. View the Masonic Temple from outside while its interior remains under construction.

Arrange partner visits directly

Contact 16th Street Baptist Church and other church operators for tours and hours. Confirm museum admission with the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. The NPS partner-site directory distinguishes those arrangements from monument access.

Find the temporary visitor center

Use 520 16th Street North for the NPS visitor center. The administrative address at 1914 4th Avenue North, Suite 440, is a mailing address and is not open to visitors. Historic Bethel Baptist Church lies six miles north of the city center, requiring a separate trip from the central district.

Nearby parks

Oak Mountain State Park is a road-accessible option south of Birmingham, at 200 Terrace Drive in Pelham. Rickwood Caverns State Park is north of Birmingham at 370 Rickwood Park Road in Warrior. Use each park’s named road entrance when planning a separate outing.

Combine interpretation and outdoor reflection

Begin with the NPS orientation, then choose museum exhibits, a church tour, or the monuments in Kelly Ingram Park. The Institute museum has a separate schedule: Tuesday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., with last admission one hour before closing.

Visitor services and accessibility

The temporary center occupies the Commons meeting space inside the Institute. Kelly Ingram Park is paved and accessible, although some ground is uneven. Contact individual partner sites about the access features needed for a visit.

A monument still taking shape

Established in 2017, the national monument develops visitor services through NPS projects and local partnerships.

The A.G. Gaston Motel

Built in 1954 for Black travelers in the segregated South, the motel became headquarters for Project C. The NPS renovation and relocation notice explains the restoration of its historic rooms and interpretation.

Urban wildlife

Birds and squirrels live in the district’s urban green spaces. Observe them without feeding them.

Official visitor information

Consult NPS basic visitor information or call 205-679-0065 for monument questions and current construction access.