About Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument
In 1963, images of snarling police dogs unleashed against non-violent protesters and of children being sprayed with high-pressure hoses appeared in print and television news around the world. These dramatic scenes of violent police aggression against civil rights protesters in Birmingham, Alabama were vivid examples of segregation and racial injustice in America.
Plan a Visit
Core visitor information on this page is sourced from the National Park Service. NPD proximity sections use NPS reference coordinates and straight-line distance. Local source bundle updated Sep 27, 2026. View the official NPS page.
Weather & Conditions
Temperatures can soar to extremes of heat and humidity in the summer and fall to damp, wet, cold in the winter. Visitors should dress in comfortable clothing during the summer season, wear comfortable shoes, and use sunscreen. Drink plenty of fluids to maintain hydration. In the spring and fall, visitors…
NPS Reference Location
Park state / territory membership: Alabama. This map uses the National Park Service reference coordinate. It may represent an administrative or reference point rather than a park entrance, trailhead, visitor center, or the nearest access point. Use the official NPS directions below when planning travel.
Operating Hours
Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument brochures and NPS passport stamp are available for visitors at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute on Sunday's, 1:00 - 5:00 PM and Tuesday - Saturday, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM. The A.G. Gaston Motel is currently closed to the public and updates for the Motel opening will be available on the NPS park website at a later date.
Activities
Current Alerts
The 1954 wing of the A.G. Gaston Motel is closed for renovation. Visit the Temporary Visitor Center in the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute at 520 16th St N, Birmingham, AL 35203 open Wednesday–Friday 10 am to 4 pm. The construction is expected to take 18 months. When completed the site will increase accessibility with a new elevator, new exhibits to tell the story of the building and Project C, and revitalize this historic landmark. Follow the link for more information.
Getting There
Via I-65 North or South From I-65, take I-20/59 NE towards Atlanta. Exit at the 17th Street Exit (first exit off of I-20/59). Bear right and proceed to the light. From that light go two blocks to 6th Avenue N. Turn right on to 6th Avenue N. The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute is one block up on your left. A.G. Gaston Motel The interior of the A.G. Gaston Motel is currently closed to the public and updates for the Motel opening will be available on the NPS park website at a later date.
View Official DirectionsContact & Address
The NPS-listed address may be an administrative office, visitor center, mailing/contact location, or other park facility rather than a park entrance.
Topics & Themes
Visitor Centers
A.G. Gaston Motel (Temporarily Closed)
The 1954 wing of the A.G. Gaston Motel, including the visitor center, is temporarily closed. The A.G. Gaston Motel served as the headquarters for the…
Temporary Visitor Center (Birmingham Civil Rights Institute)
Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument opened this visitor center in August 2026, while renovations of the A.G. Gaston Motel continue. The visitor center is located…
Nearby National Park Service Sites
These sites are ordered by straight-line distance between NPS reference coordinates. This is useful for comparison, but it is not road mileage. Trails, parkways, rivers, and distributed units may extend far from their reference point.
Nearby Cities for Trip Planning
These cities are ordered by straight-line distance from the NPS reference coordinate. They are comparison starting points, not official park gateways or road-distance estimates. Trails and other distributed units may extend far beyond this reference point.
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