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Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument

Designation: National Monument

Location: Alabama

Visit Official Park Website

📘 Park Overview

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.

🌤 Weather Information

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 should have a light jacket available as temperatures can drop suddenly. Winter temperatures can be unpredictable, ranging from mild to extremely cold.

🚗 Directions

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.

Images

4 separate statues of the four little girls who were killed in the 16th st Baptist Church bombing

Hundreds of people visit Kelly Ingram Park each year to learn about the Civil Rights Movement in Birmingham

Credit: NPS Photo

Statue of a boy being grabbed by a policemen who is holding a dog posed to bite on a leash

Statue in Kelly Ingram park dedicated to Birmingham Foot soldiers

Credit: NPS Photo

Colored Photo of the front of the 16th St. Baptist Church

Hundreds of people visit Birmingham each year to see the 16th St. Baptist Church and learn about its important role in Birmingham's Civil Rights Movement

Credit: NPS Photo

Activities

Topics

Operating Hours

Sunday
Closed
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
10:00AM - 3:00PM
Thursday
10:00AM - 3:00PM
Friday
10:00AM - 3:00PM
Saturday
10:00AM - 3:00PM

Entrance Fees

No entrance fees listed.

Entrance Passes

No entrance passes listed.

3-Day Weather Forecast

Tuesday, Feb 3

Patchy rain nearby

Patchy rain nearby

High: 66°F | Low: 36.7°F

Humidity: 66%

Wind: 10.7 mph

Rain Chance: 87%

UV Index: 0.6

Sunrise: 06:42 AM

Sunset: 05:21 PM

Moon: Waning Gibbous (99%)

Visibility: 5 mi

Dew Point: 40.5°F

Cloud Cover: 87%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Wednesday, Feb 4

Patchy rain nearby

Patchy rain nearby

High: 41.9°F | Low: 32.2°F

Humidity: 89%

Wind: 10.1 mph

Rain Chance: 89%

UV Index: 0.3

Sunrise: 06:41 AM

Sunset: 05:22 PM

Moon: Waning Gibbous (95%)

Visibility: 4 mi

Dew Point: 37.4°F

Cloud Cover: 89%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Thursday, Feb 5

Cloudy

Cloudy

High: 38.3°F | Low: 26.8°F

Humidity: 70%

Wind: 9.6 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 0.7

Sunrise: 06:40 AM

Sunset: 05:23 PM

Moon: Waning Gibbous (89%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 26.4°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Park Alerts

Gaston Motel Closed for Christmas Day and New Years Day Park Closure
The A.G. Gaston Motel Visitor Center will be closed for the Christmas (12/25/2025) and New Years (1/1/2026) holidays. The motel will be open regularly scheduled hours on Friday 12/26/2025, Saturday 12/27/2025, Friday 1/2/2026, and Saturday 1/3/2026.
Severe Weather Danger
Visitors should take extra steps when visiting the area over the next several days. Rangers suggest visitors: * Dress in multiple layers including hats and insulated gloves * Monitor your physical condition. Reddening skin, tingling, pain, swelling, leg cramps, numbness, and blisters are symptoms of cold stress and can escalate quickly. * Take frequent breaks in warm, dry areas * Slow down on roadways and sidewalks. Areas may be icy and dangerous. The Gaston Motel may close early for safety.
Update to the Superintendent's Compendium Information
Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument recently updated the Superintendent’s Compendium for 2025. The Compendium is a set of designations, closures, permit requirements, and other restrictions created by the Superintendent to manage the national monument. There were several changes from the previous version especially concerning Filming and Still Photography (Section 1.5), and the designation a Demonstration and First Amendment Site (Section 2.51).

More Info

Visitor Center & Contacts

📍 Physical Address:
A.G. Gaston Motel
1510 5th Avenue North
Birmingham, AL 35203

🏤 Mailing Address:
Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument
1914 4th Ave North
Birmingham, AL 35203

📞 Voice Phone: 205-679-0065

✉️ Email: bicr_information@nps.gov

Park Location


👏 Fun Fact
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