Park Hours (Today)
Closed
A.G. Gaston Motel (Temporarily Closed): Closed
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Plan your Birmingham Civil Rights trip
About the Park
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.
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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 Birmingham campaign. In April through May of 1963 civil rights leaders, including Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., took up residence at the motel where they strategized and made critical decisions about the non-violent campaign that targeted Birmingham’s segregation laws and practices. Several key events of the campaign publicly unfolded at the property.
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 inside the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute which helps connect the Birmingham Civil Rights story to the larger struggle for civil rights history.
Getting Here & Transit
How to Get Here
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.
Park Amenities
Operating 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.
- MondayClosed
- TuesdayClosed
- Wednesday10:00AM - 3:00PM
- Thursday10:00AM - 3:00PM
- Friday10:00AM - 3:00PM
- Saturday10:00AM - 3:00PM
- SundayClosed
Photos
Statue of a boy being grabbed by a policemen who is holding a dog posed to bite on a leash
Colored Photo of the front of the 16th St. Baptist Church
When to Go
Crowd CalendarPlan your trip around peak seasons to avoid crowds or embrace the energy of the busy months. Our crowd predictions are based on historical NPS Visitor Use Statistics.
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Best Time
Year-round
Trip Length
1 day
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Planning Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument
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