Theodore Roosevelt Presidential LibraryPublic Lands Directory

Alerts and conditions

Park Closure A.G Gaston Motel Closed for Construction

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.

Read the full alert

Weather Frost Advisory issued November 8 at 10:17AM CST until November 9 at 8:00AM CST by NWS Birmingham AL

* WHAT...Temperatures as low as 33 will result in frost formation.

* WHERE...All of central Alabama

* WHEN...From midnight tonight to 8 AM CST Monday.

* IMPACTS...Frost could harm sensitive outdoor vegetation. Sensitive

outdoor plants may be killed if left uncovered.

What to do: Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.

Read the full alert · Until Nov 9, 2026, 2:00 PM

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.

From the National Park Service

History

The designation history for this site (every law, proclamation and order, and the administration behind each) is being researched and checked by the Library’s historians.

What to see and do

Activities

  • Guided Tours
  • Self-Guided Tours - Walking
  • Museum Exhibits

Browse hiking, biking and paddling routes on AllTrails

Plan your visit

Hours

Brochures and NPS Passport Book Available: 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.

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.

Visitor centers

  • A.G. Gaston Motel (Temporarily Closed)
  • Temporary Visitor Center (Birmingham Civil Rights Institute)

Weather

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.

Phone: 205-679-0065

Whose lands these are

These lands are the ancestral and present-day homelands of Native nations. A section on whose lands these are is being prepared with tribal review. In the meantime, Native Land Digital offers a starting point.

Photos

Statue of a boy being grabbed by a policemen who is holding a dog posed to bite on a leash
Kelly Ingram Park foot soldiers statue · NPS Photo
Colored Photo of the front of the 16th St. Baptist Church
16th St. Baptist Church · NPS Photo

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