Birmingham Civil Rights Institute: A Journey Through History
Explore the pivotal role of Birmingham in the Civil Rights Movement through immersive exhibits, powerful stories, and historical archives.
The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, located in the heart of Birmingham's Civil Rights District, is a museum and research center that chronicles the Civil Rights Movement in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s [5, 7]. Through immersive exhibits, multimedia presentations, and a vast archive of documents and oral histories, the institute invites visitors to reflect on the struggles, sacrifices, and triumphs of the era, and to consider their own roles in the ongoing pursuit of human rights [5, 6, 7].
A brief summary to Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
- 520 16th St N, Birmingham, Fountain Heights, Alabama, 35203, US
- +1205-328-9696
- Visit website
- Tuesday 10 am-5 pm
- Wednesday 10 am-5 pm
- Thursday 10 am-5 pm
- Friday 10 am-5 pm
- Saturday 10 am-5 pm
Local tips
- Allow at least 90 minutes for a self-guided tour through the museum's exhibits [3, 18].
- Visit the BCRI website to check for special events, traveling exhibitions, and free admission days [8, 15].
- Take advantage of the free parking available behind the building, with access from 15th Street N [3, 4].
- Consider booking tickets online in advance, especially for group visits, to ensure entry and reserve your preferred time slot [3, 4].
- Combine your visit with a walk through the Civil Rights District, including the 16th Street Baptist Church and Kelly Ingram Park [7].
Getting There
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Walking
From Kelly Ingram Park, head north on 16th Street North towards 5th Avenue North. The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute will be on your left, across the street from the park. The walk is short and direct.
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Public Transport
MAX Transit provides bus service throughout the Birmingham-Jefferson County area [17]. Several routes stop near the Civil Rights District. Check the MAX Transit website for the most up-to-date schedules and route information. A single ride fare is $1.25 [17].
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Taxi
Taxis and ride-sharing services are readily available in Birmingham. A taxi from the Birmingham Airport (BHM) to the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute is approximately $17-$21 and takes about 10 minutes [16]. A short taxi ride from downtown Birmingham will likely cost between $5 and $10.
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Parking
Free parking is available behind the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, with access from 15th Street North [3, 4]. Additional parking is available in nearby lots and garages, with rates ranging from $5 to $15 per hour [9, 10, 14]. Consider using a parking app like SpotHero to reserve a spot in advance [9].
Discover more about Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
Historic 4th Avenue Business District
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Civil Rights Freedom Riders Marker
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Honoring the brave Freedom Riders who challenged segregation in 1961, marking a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement.
The Woodward Building
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Alabama Peanut Co.
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Alabama Sports Hall of Fame
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Dread River Distilling Company
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Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘Letter From Birmingham Jail’ Marker
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A marker commemorating Martin Luther King Jr.'s powerful 'Letter From Birmingham Jail,' a cornerstone of the Civil Rights Movement, located in front of the former Birmingham City Jail.
Five Points South Historical Marker
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The Jordan Home (Dr. Mortimer Jordan)
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Avondale Park Historic District
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The Historic Bethel Baptist Church
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The Old Mill
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HIGHLAND HISTORIC DISTRICT
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Pratt City Carline Historic District
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Oldest house in Shades Valley/Irondale Furnace Commissary
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Unmissable attractions to see
Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument
0.0 km
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Kelly Ingram Park
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Birmingham Civil Rights District
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Eddie Kendrick Memorial Park
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McWane Science Center
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Birmingham Museum of Art
0.8 km
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Heaviest Corner On Earth
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Railroad Park Foundation
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Negro Southern League Museum
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“Before I die” wall
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Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark
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Locked In: The Birmingham Escape Game
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Arlington Antebellum Home & Gardens
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Samuel Ullman Museum
3.0 km
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Vulcan Park and Museum
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Essential places to dine
OvenBird
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Blueprint on 3rd
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Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint Birmingham
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Galley & Garden
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The Rougaroux
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Chez Lulu
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SAW’s Soul Kitchen
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Habitat Feed & Social
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Bricktop's
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Gianmarco's Restaurant
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The Filling Station Bham
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Mudtown Eat & Drink
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Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint
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Foodbar
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Satterfield's Restaurant
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Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
Hanna Antiques Mall
2.1 km
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Shea Davis Boutique
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Soca Clothing
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Alabama Goods
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A'Mano
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Stella Blu
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Urban Suburban Antiques
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Sojourns
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Mountain High Outfitters
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Cahaba Village
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Second Hand Rose
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Lizard Thicket
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Essential bars & hidden hideouts
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House of Found Objects
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Mayawell Bar
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Black Market Bar + Grill
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Juniper
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Key Circle Commons
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The Marble Ring
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Oak Hill Bar & Grill
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Red Lion Lounge
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The Upper Deck
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StirCrazy
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The Ridge Eat & Drink
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Black Market
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Barrister's Tavern
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