Tank G.
Yelp
After approximately a decade of planning, the institute opened in 1992. It is the central part of what I call Birmingham's Civil Rights triangle consisting of the museum along with the 16th Street Baptist Church and Kelly Ingram Park. If you can only visit one Museum in your life, this one should get some serious consideration for that honor. The museum has a private parking lot in the back of the museum and there is street parking available on the adjacent streets.
Due to COVID, you must purchase time metered tickets on-line. There are no on site ticket purchases. I did not pre purchase my tickets, so I had to get on my phone and purchase the tickets right in front of the ticket booth.
Once you are in the museum, you start your tour with about a 6 minute video. The video is powerful and sets the tone for the rest of your tour. Once the video is over the screen lifts and the entrance to the exhibits is exposed. The tour is self guided and take you through many exhibits. Most of the exhibits are organized in chronological order. Some of the most notable exhibits includes: the freedom riders, sit-ins, boycotts, "bombingham", comparison of white vs colored schools, The black church, the 16th Street Church bombing, delayed justice, government, the fight to vote, and various other protest that were instrumental in the fight for civil rights. One exhibit that stuck out most to me was the KKK robe and an actual cross that was burned in someones yard in 1990, yes, 1990. The tour of the museum ends exactly where it started. It does not end in the gift shop like other museums. The gift shop is located down the stairs, behind the ticket booth. The gift shop does not have a lot in it, but still worth a stop. There is also a door that leads directly into the gift shop off of 16th street, facing Kelly Ingram Park.
The staff at this museum is amazing. Everyone from the security staff to the guy working in the gift shop, was so friendly and helpful. The pride they had for the institute really showed. I wish I could give it 6 stars. The museum is very well done. It is tasteful and very educational. I came in thinking that I knew a lot about the civil rights era. I learned so much while I was there. I spent about an hour and a half there, but could have easily spent 3.
This is not only a must see while you are in Birmingham. It is a you must see. It is definitely a destination trip, that other attractions could be planned around. I would plan a trip to Birmingham just to go here.