1963 Birmingham Civil Rights Experience - Black History Matters Walking Tour
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This tour peals back the façade and reveals the true and devastating experience that was the day to day life of African Americans in the most segregated city in the country. Led by Wilhelmina Thomas, who is a storyteller, a needlewoman and a craftivist who grew up on the west side of Birmingham, Alabama in the Riley, Wenonah and Hillman communities. She attended Wenonah Elementary, Riley Elementary and Jones Valley High Schools. Her earliest memories include the church, the civic league and the Civil Rights Movement. It is these lived experiences which fuel passion about Afro, Afro American and Birmingham history.
Itinerary Details
Operated by: The Birmingham Historic Touring Company
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At:
The A.G. Gaston Motel, built by prominent African American businessman and entrepreneur, Arthur George Gaston (1892-1996), provided first-class lodging and dining in Birmingham, Alabama, to African American travelers. Designed by Birmingham-based architect Stanley B. Echols, the motel opened in 1954
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Kelly Ingram Park
Kelly Ingram Park is an improved public park that contains emotionally powerful sculptures depicting the civil rights struggle in Birmingham. The park served as an assembly spot for activities of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and other groups in the movement.
Duration: 15 minutes
Pass By:
This courthouse at the edge of the Civil Rights district is named for a former Senator, Supreme Court Justice, and Klansman.
Stop At:
Our only standing theater that allowed mixed (though still segregated) audiences
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At:
A park and statues dedicated to our local founder of the Temptations
Duration: 10 minutes
Pass By: 4th Avenue Business District
The remnants of our once dynamic "city within a city"
Stop At:
One of the best Black theaters - now the Jazz Hall of Fame...also you will see the Prince Hall "Colored" Masonic Lodge
Duration: 10 minutes
Pass By: Civil Rights District
This is the center of the Civil Rights National Historic Monument
Stop At:
The A.G. Gaston Motel, built by prominent African American businessman and entrepreneur, Arthur George Gaston (1892-1996), provided first-class lodging and dining in Birmingham, Alabama, to African American travelers. Designed by Birmingham-based architect Stanley B. Echols, the motel opened in 1954
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Kelly Ingram Park
Kelly Ingram Park is an improved public park that contains emotionally powerful sculptures depicting the civil rights struggle in Birmingham. The park served as an assembly spot for activities of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and other groups in the movement.
Duration: 15 minutes
Pass By:
This courthouse at the edge of the Civil Rights district is named for a former Senator, Supreme Court Justice, and Klansman.
Stop At:
Our only standing theater that allowed mixed (though still segregated) audiences
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At:
A park and statues dedicated to our local founder of the Temptations
Duration: 10 minutes
Pass By: 4th Avenue Business District
The remnants of our once dynamic "city within a city"
Stop At:
One of the best Black theaters - now the Jazz Hall of Fame...also you will see the Prince Hall "Colored" Masonic Lodge
Duration: 10 minutes
Pass By: Civil Rights District
This is the center of the Civil Rights National Historic Monument