There is no better place to celebrate Black History Month than Birmingham, Alabama. Black History Month is a time to remember some terrible wrongs and learn from poor decisions in the past. We also celebrate incredible accomplishments of Black Americans who have overcome, persevered, and changed our world for the better. There are ample landmarks and museums that can help your family have a deeper appreciation of Black American history, as well as some events to commemorate this special month.
The United States Civil Rights Trail
The United States Civil Rights Trail is a collection of landmarks that played a pivotal role in advancing social justice in the 1950s and 1960s. This trail spans 15 states, and several sights collectively make up the Birmingham Civil Rights National Park Monument.
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
At the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, your family can see a replica of a Freedom Riders bus. Your children can step into the 1950’s as they see a model of a segregated city. They can also see Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s actual jail cell door. While behind this door, he wrote his famous “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” For admission costs and hours, check out the BCRI’s website.
16th Street Baptist Church
The 16th Street Baptist Church was a meeting place for the organization of marches and other civil rights activities. In 1963, the church was bombed, and four young Black girls: Addie Mae Collins, Cynthia Wesley, Denise McNair and Carole Robertson were killed. This terrible event was a catalyst to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which outlawed discrimination.
Kelly Ingram Park
Civil rights protesters gathered in Kelly Ingram Park for marches. Many of the April and May 1963 protests were violently disrupted by police here. You can view several sculptures in the park that commemorate the Civil Rights Movement and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference’s Children’s Crusade Marches. You can call 205-307-5455 for a free audio tour of the park!
Bethel Baptist Church
Bethel Baptist Church served as the headquarters for the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights, which began in 1956 after the NAACP was outlawed in the state of Alabama. This church was bombed three times during the Civil Rights Movement. There are scheduled tours that can be booked online.
St. Paul United Methodist Church
Founded in 1869, St. Paul United Methodist Church is one of the oldest African American churches in Birmingham. This church held meetings to plan how to desegregate buses and training sessions to teach how to participate in nonviolent civil rights protests. You can visit during the church’s Sunday services.
A.G. Gaston Motel
The A.G. Gatson Motel opened in 1954 and was owned by and served Black Americans. Civil rights leaders from the Southern Christian Leadership Conference stayed at the motel. The motel became the headquarters of a local civil rights campaign called the Birmingham Campaign or Project C (C for Confrontation,) through which peaceful demonstrations were planned. Also here, a compromise was reached to desegregate the city over time. The building was bombed soon after. You can drive by to see it, but you cannot tour it now. Plans are underway to renovate this significant landmark.
The Colored Masonic Temple
The Colored Masonic Temple is in downtown Birmingham’s 4th Avenue business district, one of the few areas of town that welcomed Black owned businesses in the 1950s. It leased offices to Black American professionals and also housed the offices of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), which fought against racism.
This building was a community hub with a restaurant and entertainment. It also held the Booker T. Washington Library, the first library in Birmingham to loan books to Black citizens. You can drive by to see it, but it is currently vacant. Plans are underway to renovate this significant landmark.
Other Museums
Southern Museum of Flight
The Southern Museum of Flight displays the history of aviation throughout American history. The museum has an exhibit featuring the Alabama Tuskegee Airmen. These were Black American pilots and airmen who bravely flew and fought in World War II. The exhibit includes several aircraft models that would have been used in that era and will amaze children who love airplanes.
Negro Southern League Museum
The Negro Southern League was created in 1920 and served as a feeder for many great black baseball players to play in the Negro American League and Negro National League. Over 80 larger teams chose baseball players from this minor league. The museum holds many baseball relics including old jerseys, game balls, trophies, and a Bo Jackson exhibit and is great for any sports loving family.
Rickwood Field
Rickwood Field is “America’s Oldest Baseball Park” and historical home to the Birmingham Black Barons, a minor league baseball team for Black Americans from around 1920-1960. This is another great choice for families with children who love sports. On a cold or rainy day, you can even take a virtual tour from the comfort of your home. Self-guided tour brochures can be downloaded, and you can schedule a guided tour by calling 205-922-3725 or visiting their website.
Other Events & Activities
Tribute to James Brown the Godfather of Soul
COLD SWEAT is a live tribute musical funkumentary presented by Charl with a Z, supported by Audio Sketch.
Location: Workplay Theatre
Hours: February 22, 2025 at 6:30 PM; doors open at 5:30
Purchase tickets HERE
BHM at BPL
The Birmingham Public Library celebrates Black History all month long! You can find a list of their events here.
The Watsons Go To Birmingham
The National Park Service has a free curriculum based on the Newberry Honor-winning book, The Watsons Go To Birmingham. This curriculum would be great for homeschooling families that would like to dive deeper into American Black History this month.
For more ideas, check out these past posts from Birmingham Mom Collective:
