African-American History

The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
(Celebrating it's 7^th Anniversary on November 15, 1999)

"Every journey begins with a first step." Echoing the sentiment of The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, our tour begins through the multimedia galleries and exhibitions that trace the impassioned sojourn of resolute individuals who, during the 1950’s and 1960’s, challenged bigotry and racial hatred in the struggle for equal rights, with Birmingham, Alabama a city critical in the movement.

Much more than a museum, the Institute, which opened on November 15, 1992, is a "learning place with a very strong educational forum," said Florence Wilson-Davis, public relations manager for BCRI. "We’re more than a place where people come to view a piece of art. [Here] they actually become a part of the exhibits."

All exhibitions are interactive, and after an introductory film giving a brief overview of the Institute and the history of Birmingham from 1871 through the 1920’s, the tour moves to the Permanent Exhibits, which are housed in several era specific galleries.

Permanent Exhibitions

White and Colored drinking fountains, and a display of Birmingham’s historic Carver Theatre in Barriers Gallery, give a sense of the constant messages of inequality endured by African Americans during the post-war era. Also here is a replica of a church that contains actual pews from Birmingham’s Sixteenth Baptist Church, the site of freedom demonstrations, and of the unforgettable racist bombing in 1963, which killed four little girls.

"Voices" in Confrontation Gallery, next creates an audio-visual environment representing the myriad of conflicting ideas and attitudes of the period, including a dramatic image of a KKK rally complete with an 18-foot tall burning cross, a strong reminder of the overt opposition to African-American civil freedom.

Within Movement Gallery, experience the turbulent times from 1955 to 1965. One major exhibit here is a statue of Rosa Parks, who, in 1955, unwittingly became the "mother of Civil Rights" when she refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white man. See here too, a replica of the hulk of the Greyhound bus carrying Freedom Riders—firebombed on Mothers Day in 1961. Also in this gallery, a replica of a jail cell featuring the bars from the actual cell that detained Dr. Martin Luther King in April of 1963. Capture the moment while listening to the voice of Dr. King as he reads his immortal "Letter from the Birmingham Jail."

Further on, fifteen burnished steel obelisks detail dates of key events of the Civil Rights movement in Milestones Gallery; an area designed to promote reflection on Birmingham’s progress since the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement. Each pillar commemorates "firsts," for African-American individuals in the city’s history, including the Alabama Legislature, the Alabama Supreme Court, Birmingham City Council, and the office of the Mayor.

Continue to Processional Gallery and mingle with life-size figures on their "walk to freedom," while taking in a window view of Birmingham’s newly redesigned Kelly Ingram Park, site of many Civil Rights demonstrations.

Finally, through video and computer programs, the Human Rights Gallery provides an international look at the human rights movement, and completes the series of Permanent Exhibits. A more in-depth computer learning experience is available within the Richard Arrington, Jr. Resource Gallery, a computer driven educational extension of BCRI’s mission. Here, says Wilson-Davis, "people can come and research anything they’ve seen during their tour (or otherwise). The gallery, named for Birmingham’s first African-American mayor—whose 20 year tenure ended just this year—contains 23 user friendly, touch-screen computers, giving easy access to the Institute’s state-of-the-art educational resources.

Special Exhibitions

In the Changing Gallery and the Community Gallery, the BCRI provides a forum for the work of nationally renowned artists. In December, the widely acclaimed "Newseum’s NewsCapade with Al Neuharth" will provide visitors with an interactive journey through the exciting newsroom experience. Cover a breaking news event as a photojournalist or reporter, edit front-page stories, or tackle tough ethical news decisions, in an exhibit designed to promote understanding between the public and the news media. The special exhibition runs from December 4 through December 7.

New York author/artist Tom Feelings, will highlight Changing Gallery from November 7 through December 26, featuring black and white illustrations from his book "Middle Passage: White Ships, Black Cargo, while the Community Gallery will focus on "The Enduring Struggle for Black Freedom," with a presentation of black and white photographs.

Traveling Exhibitions

The BCRI is currently sponsoring "Remembering 4 Little Girls,"an exhibition circulating in cooperation with HBO. Inspired by the 1963 Birmingham church bombing, this nationwide composition includes award winning high school creative expressions about the incident as well as other educational materials. Traveling exhibitions are available for rent.

In addition to the Permanent, Special, and Traveling Exhibitions, the BCRI also houses an Archives Division, which identifies, collects, and preserves personal papers and records on Birmingham and the Civil Rights Movement.

The Institute also provides extensive outreach services through educational and public programs. Slide presentations on topics such as "African-American Women: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow," "Africa’s Greatest Children Of All Times," and Let’s All Say Freedom: Why We Celebrate Juneteenth," are provided free of charge to schools and community organizations in the greater Birmingham-Metro area as part of BCRI’s Education Division’s Outreach Program.

More than a museum, indeed.

"We’ve had over 800,000 visitors since our opening in 1992", said Wilson-Davis. "Every city in the country needs a Civil Rights institute. Every city has a history to tell, and it’s so important. Birmingham is fortunate that there are so many people from that period who are still alive and can talk about it. For some, it’s painful, but they’re willing to talk about it." These are the determined individuals who refused to be denied equal treatment, and who set the stage for what ultimately became an international movement. These are the individuals who made history by taking the first step.

The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute is located at 520 Sixteenth Street North Birmingham, Alabama. For information about hours, admissions, or exhibits call 205-328-9696, or visit them online at: http://bcri.bham.al.us/