civil rights district

Mexicanaorgullosa

Civil Rights Building, The 16th Street Church and Kelly Ingram Park where Martin Luther King Spoke. I am so glad I visited all of them on my quest to learn about US Civil Rights History..most occurred before I was born..

M1983ENlauras

Birmingham is my home, so I had to return at take my children to tour this area, they needed to experience and not just go by what the see on television or read about in books. It is a really good tour.

251wendyj

I enjoyed my visit to the area and even experienced a bit of history. We took pictures in front the birth homes of Nat "King" Cole and Ralph Abernathy. There was also a Memorial to Rosa Parks across from the University Campus.

amberg566

I brought my 12 year old son along on a business trip, and we stopped in here to enjoy some history. I thought it especially important for him as a biracial child, but anyone who loves the feel of history up close will love the Institute. There are scenes set up to replicate "the way things were" last century, and some interactive displays. You can walk at your own pace, but if you pay attention to each display you will definitely find yourself in there for a few hours, so give yourself a time limit if you want to visit other places in an afternoon. Also, the people who work there are very friendly, with sweet Southern smiles.

ATLTravelDiva

People of today... We would've never survived what these people...these strong fighters endured. We need to wake up and realize the freedom that we have.

punkydifle

Took the walking tour of historical district with family. There were a couple excellent little shops. That I would have never expected to find. Beautiful churches with lost of history. It was a long walk and would have been much better if there was ssome sort of virtual tour guide to tell you about different places. We used our phones for info and it was difficult for our tour guide to read all the info while trying to enjoy the tour himself. It would have been great to know where public restrooms were available on the 3 mile tour because it was a half day experience not just a tthree mile walk.

ArdyT

I am so glad that my wife and I took the time to visit the Civil Rights District. The self-guided tours are very informative and inspiring.

Ollittap

Birmingham's Civil Rights District, including the Civil Rights Institute, 16th Street Baptist Church (site of the tragic bombing in 1963), and Kelly Ingram Park (where demonstrations were met with police violence) is a wonderful teaching tool for recounting the historic civil rights era. The Institute (small fee charged) has a film and an extensive exhibition hall with dramatic displays that literally walk you through the watershed events of the 1960's. The church, with its beautiful stained-glass window given by the people of Wales, is an important landmark. And the park, graced with several very powerful sculptures and the climax of a four-block "freedom trail", is a fitting prelude or postlude to your tour. This collection of important places is very accessible, inexpensive, and well worth your time!

StephaneeJ

I recently visited the Civil Rights District while I was in Birmingham, Alabama on business. It was one of the most powerful places I have ever visited. The exhibits at the museum are thoughtful and well done and the volunteer guides are insightful. The 16th Baptist Church is right across the street and offer tours from 10-3. It is still a house of worship and you can attend Sunday services there. I must say that the most powerful area of the district is Kelly Ingram Park. (Free) There is a self-guided walking tour that you can take using your cell phone...tremendous. The sculpture in the park is so moving. The art moves you emotionally and makes you think about what positions you might have taken had you lived in Birmingham during that time. Art teachers will want to use photos of these artworks for multi-disciplinary units. My family used to drive through Birmingham every year on the way to Florida. We should have listened to "The Watsons Go to Birmingham" on the way and stopped here. I suggest minimally 45 minutes if you're just going to the park and 2 -4 hours for a more complete experience.

NeilMavis

I grew up reading about the civil rights protests, and seeing the photos of the water cannons along the march route. It is another experience to actually walk along the short route from the church, past the Bus Station, to City Hall. For free, one can walk the route, and every 100 ft or so, there are placards that explain the segregation issues of that era. Also, the Civil Rights Museum is worth the price of admission.

MarBer1971

Do not go here anytime approaching dusk. Drugs, vagrants and panhandlers. What a shame. You will be harassed. We live here and have visited several times. Nasty. Downtown Birmingham is not a safe place for families.

snowbirdwannabe_11

As you walk around this district you are reminded of all the events that shaped where we are today. It is hard to believe that it was just 50 years ago that these things could have happened. If you are old enough to remember the image of the dog attacking the young boy, then the statue memorializing this moment will be profound.

TonifromOhio

My family and I toured the district. We first went to 16 th street Baptism church! the to the National Civil Rights Institute then the park across the street! There is also a walking tour at the park across the street. This district is very educational, my family,and I learned a ton of things about this historical district.

kkibby43

MLK Jr. Day, 2014 we drove to Birmingham for historical perspective and we found it here. Our first stop was the Civil Rights Institute which is a spectacular museum. Next we visited the basement of the 16th Street Baptist Church, the location of so much more than the event that galvanized the nation, the September 15, 1963 bombing. Lastly, we visited the Kelly Ingram Park which was once the location of police brutality against protestors but not contains sculptures memorializing the Civil Rights Movement. I'm of the opinion that the Civil Rights District is a must for any travel to Birmingham. Parents would do well to arrange a visit for their children during their school studies of 1960's American History.

chesteens

Very informative and very painful to review that time period. I wish all those issues were resolved. The initial film was very informative and we spent a lot of time to review the exhibits.