Vietnamese ceramics, Renaissance and Baroque paintings, European sculpture, and the largest collection of Wedgewood outside of England gives the Birmingham Museum of Art one of the most expansive and diverse collections of art in the American South. The museum offers a variety of seasonal exhibitions and programs, as well as exhibits drawn from its permanent collection of more than 24,000 paintings, prints, sculptures and other works of art. The museum's collection is best-known for its works from throughout the region, including pre-Columbian and Native American art as well as one of the finest collections of works from Southern artists of the 19th and 20th century. The museum also holds works from Europe, South America, the Middle East, and throughout Africa. Of these international collections, the museum’s collection of art from Asia is best-known, and considered by many to be the most comprehensive of its kind in the region.
This Confederate monument, a 52-foot sandstone obelisk, was dedicated in 1905 by the United Daughters of the Confederacy. The monument has stood at the entrance to Linn Park for over a century, but renewed concern about the Confederacy's support of slavery and other forms of racial discrimination led many Birmingham residents to call for the removal of the statue in recent years. In addition, many believe that the quote selected for inclusion on the monument glorifies war by stating that "the manner of their death (Confederate soldiers) was the crowning glory of their lives."
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Cathedral Church of the Advent (home to an Episcopalian congregation) is one of the oldest churches in the city and one of the few structures left from the Victorian period. It is a well-preserved example of English Gothic Revival architecture, which is often characterized by stained glass windows, a crenellated bell tower, and pointed arches. It was completed in 1885 though was first occupied two years earlier.
First United Methodist Church was founded in 1872 and became the "Mother Church" form many Birmingham-area congregations. The original congregation utilized rented space before building their first home-a modest frame building that served as the church's home until a brick structure was built in 1883. As the congregation continued to grow, the church leaders worked to raise funds that allowed for the completion of this building and sanctuary in 1891. Among the many intriguing features of the interior is a marble baptismal font made by Tiffany and Company. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
Established in 1873, this historic congregation has served the Black community of Birmingham from the time of Reconstruction. The church served an important role during the Civil Rights Movement which led white supremacists to target the church and its members. The church was designated as a National Historical Landmark owing to the the tragic events of September 15, 1963 when white supremacists detonated explosives that killed four young girls and injured many more during a Sunday service.
Reverend Fred Lee Shuttlesworth was a prominent civil rights activist in Birmingham and a leader and co-founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). The SCLC was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s organization of Black ministers who supported the civil rights movement and together with other organizations, helped to shape the direction of the American civil right movement of the 1950s and 1960s. Shuttlesworth served among leaders such as Ralph Abernathy, Bayard Rustin, and Ella Baker. The SCLC was committed to a non-violent approach and came to support many of the direct action campaigns waged by students. Shuttlesworth spent four years working with SCLC before he moved to Cincinnati, Ohio to become the Pastor of Revelation Baptist Church. Although he had moved to Ohio, Shuttlesworth remained involved in the Birmingham Campaign and returned to the city often. Fred survived two murder attempts. In addition, his wife was stabbed and he was beaten in front of his children. This marker was placed on 16th Street in Birmingham in honor of his service and sacrifice throughout the movement.
Established in 1992, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute includes exhibits and programs related to the history of the civil rights movement in Alabama and throughout the United Stats. Over two million people have visited the institute while thousands of teachers participate in the Institute's teacher education program and/or benefit from educational materials created by the scholars employed at or by the Institute. Visitors can take a self-tour or a guided tour of the Institute's exhibitions. Scholars and members of the public can also use the Institute's archival collections related to the history of the Civil Rights Movement.
The Birmingham Civil Rights District covers six blocks where a number of historic events that shaped the American Civil Rights Movement occurred. The city of Birmingham outlined and designated this area as a historic district in 1992. In the following decades, the city created a number of statues honoring the leaders and participants of the civil rights movement. In addition to these monuments in the park, the district includes Carver Theater, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, the Gaston Hotel, 16th Street Baptist Church, and Kelly Ingram Park where several civil rights protests occurred.
The A. G. Gaston Motel is a former motel located in Birmingham's "Civil Rights District." The motel was first opened in 1954 and acted as a headquarters for the Civil Rights Movement taking place in Birmingham. The Gaston motel was also an important business for African American travelers in the era of Jim Crow because it allowed Black visitors a modern hotel where they could stay with dignity. With the exception of rented rooms, the hotel was the only modern hotel that was open to African Americans in the entire city of Birmingham.
Opening in 1935, Carver Theatre was one of the leading venues for film and the performing arts for the African American community of Birmingham. Built during the Great Depression and expanded in the boom years following World War II, this theater offered all of the beauty and modern conveniences of some of the grandest downtown venues with air-conditioning and seating for 1300 patrons by 1945. Like other theaters, this downtown venue fell into disrepair as fewer residents patronized downtown theaters in the 1980s. In 1990, the city of Birmingham launched a project to restore the historic theater, which opened two venues—the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame Museum and the performing arts center—in 1993.
Construction on the Thomas Jefferson Hotel began in 1925 and was completed in 1929-just prior to the stock market crash. Reflecting the optimism of its boosters and others who hoped Birmingham would become an international destination, the hotel was equipped with a rooftop system designed to moor Zeppelin airships and other dirigibles. Sadly, no airship ever docked to the building. However, the hotel was famous for ornate marble lobby, luxury retailers, and its ballrooms and grand dining room.
Completed in 1913 for the Alabama Penny Savings Bank, this building was acquired by the Grand Lodge of the Knights of Pythias two years later when the bank closed its doors. The building was later acquired by African American entrepreneur A. G. Gaston who is best known as the owner of the hotel that was bombed while Martin Luther King Jr. was staying at the hotel. Gaston operated the Booker T. Washington INsurance Company, an important business at mid-century when African Americans were often unable to secure life insurance from white-owned companies without paying substantially more than white clients. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 and became home to the Birmingham History Center for a short time.
The Alabama Theatre was built by the Paramount-Publix Corporation in 1927. The theater was originally the only venue in Birmingham to seat over 2,500 people and was also the first public venue in Alabama to have air conditioning, a true selling point during the summer. Originally used for silent films, the theater was equipped with a detailed Mighty Wurlitzer organ. Eventually the theater became less used and went up for sale. The American Theatre Organ Society sought to purchase the organ but the realtors would only sell the instrument along with the theater, which did not stop them. In 1998 the Theatre underwent renovations and is now open to theater, concert, and symphony performances.
In 1998, Discovery Place and Red Mountain Museum merged to create McWane Science Center, an interactive science museum for children and parents. This science and children's museum is located in the former Loveman's department store building, and offers a number of programs, exhibits, and an IMAX® Dome Theater. The former department store, which closed in 1980, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its Art Deco architecture and its contribution to Birmingham's economic development.
City boosters dubbed the corner of 20th Street and 1st Avenue North"The Heaviest Corner on Earth" due to the existence of four large buildings bordering this intersection. The name reflected the optimism of city boosters following the completion of four of the tallest buildings in the South within a single decade-an occurrence that Birmingham residences saw as evidence that their city would become one of the leading American cities. The corner is home to the 10-story Woodward Building, completed in 1902, the 16-story Brown Marx Building, completed in 1906, 16-story Empire Building, completed in 1909, and the 21-story American Trust and Savings Bank Building, completed in 1912.
On May 19, 1919, soon after its completion, this 21st Street Viaduct was named the Rainbow Viaduct in tribute to Alabama’s famous 167th Infantry of the Rainbow Division. Renowned for bravery and honor, the 167th was the nation’s only regiment in World War I referred to by its home state – “The Alabama.” Made up of men from throughout Alabama, including a large number from Birmingham, this regiment had to its credit the following brave deeds, among countless others: Advanced furthest its German lines – to Sedan Took the first German prisoners captured by Americans Only Rainbow Regiment to achieve two Honor Medals Fought in trenches two days longer than any other American regiment The only Southern regiment in the first army at occupation on Rhine, the 167th fought in the battles of Luneville, Baccarat, Esperance-Souain, Champagne-Marne, Red Cross Farm following Chateau-Thierry, Alsne-Marne, St. Mihiel, Essey-Paunes, Meuse-Argonne, Sedan.
St. Paul's Cathedral is one of the more architecturally striking houses of worship in Birmingham. The Victorian Gothic structure was built in 1893, replacing a wood-frame church constructed in 1872. The cathedral is an excellent representation of an American version of neo-gothic architecture, featuring steeply pitched spires and gables, polished granite columnns, hanging lanterns, and an exterior with of strong contrasting colors. As the first Roman Catholic Church in Jefferson County, St. Paul's is the the "mother church" for northern Alabama. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
This Tour is a Walking Tour.
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With just a short walk through the center of Birmingham, visitors to the city can explore over a dozen historical buildings and landmarks. This tour includes sites that reflect all aspects of the city's history, from the Civil War to civil rights as well as business, industry, religion, and culture. The tour also includes some of the leading downtown museums. Enjoy!
