Stronger together is Large, colorful, and a powerful public art mural that spreads vital…read moreinformation. Me and my family were in a short statue in Birmingham and staying at the nearby Mariott hotel we decided to walk to the nearby civil rights sights and when we did we stumbled upon this mural almost immediately. Overall amazing piece that leaves a mark on you. Teaches valuable lessons and illustrates them very vibrantly. The artist did a great job conveying and showing there intended message.

This is a pretty awesome public art display that I found while we were in Alabama. It features a…read morebig giant elephant and the words all fancy and is pretty colorful. Pretty cool to see.

Physical mural we became about when we were in Alabama searching and exploring and have the best…read moretime ever. I'm not really sure why they have a public art display of the Yankees, but it still need to see.

We visited the Civil Rights Memorial Center in Montgomery, AL on Jan 7, 2026 as part of Road…read moreScholar's "The Civil Rights Movement - Atlanta, Montgomery, Selma, Birmingham" program. As the name indicates, it's a memorial and not a true museum. Tickets were covered by our program. We spent less than an hour here, in part because we got two other similarly small museums to visit in our day's itinerary. At the entrance of the Center is a security screening. We were directed to line up in rows. The security guard was friendly. He nicknamed me "Big T" since my name started with "T". I replied, "I wish I was big." To which he went, "Me too," and we both laughed. Row by row, we went up to the counter to surrender our personal items prior to the screening. The guard allowed me to keep my belt on even though the buckle is metal. Then each of us went through the screening. No issues encountered. We were then joined by a museum guide. The first section is the Martyr Room, dedicated to the 40 that were killed during the Civil Rights Movement. Collage of photos and individual profiles positioned at eye level filled every wall. There is a console in the middle of the room for visitors to learn more. A short while later, we were led to the Orientation Theater where we watched a short film called "Apathy is not an Option". It started with a highlight reel of the Movement and connects it to contemporary events of social justice. After that, we continued on to "The March Continues", a hallway of murals depicting contemporary social justice. The end of the hallway leads the "Wall of Justice" room. On one wall is a large, wide screen with names of people involved in civil rights through the ages, set to a photo of - presumably - the Selma March. By the opposite wall are inscribed quotations from historical figures, including one from Robert Kennedy (Sr.) during a trip in Cape Town, South Africa in 1966. The best was saved for last. We arrived at the Memorial table to see water literally flowing down onto its surface where the names of the 40 are etched. The artwork is indeed magnificent. Footage is in the video "Day 4 & Day 5: Civil Rights Memorial Center, Legacy Plaza, Legacy Museum" on my YouTube channel, in playlist "2026-1: The Civil Rights Movement - Atlanta, Montgomery, Selma, Birmingham". If it was up to me, I'd spend a few minutes more in the Martyr Room. It has the most content of all the sections. Overall, the Civil Rights Memorial Center is a good, albeit modest-sized center. It is worth the visit if done in conjunction with the Rosa Parks Museum and the Freedom Rides Museum, both of which are within walking distance.

Parking here can be tricky. I was able to find some free street parking. There is metered street…read moreparking available as well within a reasonable walking distance. Outside you will find a waterfall running down a wall that has a quote from Martin Luther King. There is also a large circular black granite water table that has the names of 41 people killed (Martyrs) in the name of the civil rights struggle. It was designed by Maya Lin in 1989. In order to enter here you must have a must, submit to a temperature check and go through security screening. This is one of the few museum in the area that allows photos inside. The Center is very small. The first room that you come to is the The Martyr Room and features 74 people, that are known as "The Forgotten", and the 41 "Civil Rights Martyrs" that are listed on the memorial outside. Sadly, it is an extensive list and has Emmet Till, Martin Luther King, Medgar Evers, and other less notable names. The main section of the Center is the Apathy is Not an Option: Orientation Theater. It seats about 75 or so and is very nice. The movie that they play here is on a schedule and the timer is located in the previous room. It tells you when the next showing is. The movie is amazing and is a must see. It is well put together. I really loved it and am glad that I waited for it. The rest of the Center has pictures of people on the walls with phrases and/or personal stories on them It is titled The March Continues: Today's Activist. The Center's last area is the Wall of Justice: A Space of Reflection, a video wall with names falling down. You can put your name on the wall, by agreeing to a pledge. It does not stay there, so if you are going to get a picture of it then you better do it fast. You end you tour in the small gift shop that sells key chains, t-shirt, and pencils/pens, and pictures. It does not take long to make it through the center. I spent about 45 minutes here and that included watching the movie. There is not much to the Center, but is is still worth a visit if you are in the area and have time.

We decided to visit the museum to see their 'Monet to Matisse' exhibit. I checked occasionally in…read morethe week leading up to our visit. Their website displays how many tickets are remaining for the day. I wanted to ensure this wasn't selling out for our day, in which case I'd have bought tickets in advance online. However, they still showed over 1000 tickets available the day before, so I opted to just buy them at the museum. We had issues with navigation in Birmingham already, and those continued en route to the museum. For whatever reason, the app directed us over a mile beyond downtown and then had us get off the highway, cross the overpass, and double back (?). We actually switched apps a bit later as we were sure there was an issue. We eventually found the museum, though. It wasn't obvious from the front, but apparently the museum does have its own free parking lot behind the building. We ended up parking in a deck a few blocks away, but thankfully that only ended up costing us $3. The museum is normally free for entry, I believe. Donations are encouraged. However, for special travelling exhibits, there was a charge (about $25 per person). This was handled at a kiosk just outside the exhibit. We toured the exhibit and enjoyed it. Works were arranged in 3 large rooms. It was crowded, but manageable. After seeing that, we opted to check out some of the permanent collection before leaving. On the upper level (where we were) there are several rooms devoted to Asian arts (samurai armor from Japan, jade and buddha statues from China, etc.). Korea and India were also represented. If we'd had more time, we would have explored more on this floor. We descended to the first floor and checked out some of the European galleries as well as the end of the wing that is devoted to American art. They had interesting works on all these areas. If I lived in the area, I'd likely come here to check out the permanent collection. Maybe we'll be back at some point to see more of it. This was well worth stopping by if you like art. (I will limit my photos to the permanent collection.)

I finally made my way into the Birmingham Museum of Art after driving past it for years like,…read more"Yeah, I'll get to that one day..." Well, that day finally came--and turns out, I've been sleeping on a gem this whole time. First off, free admission? That'll get your attention quicker than a "buy one get one" sign. But seriously, this place is legit. It may not be on the scale of New York City or Chicago, but it absolutely punches above its weight. Birmingham quietly flexing, and I respect it. I started out in the sculpture garden, and with it being spring, the blooming dogwood trees added a layer of nostalgia that hit just right. Between the flowers, the fresh air, and the artwork, it was one of those "slow down and take it in" moments. Not bad for a place I used to ignore at red lights--or even flying past it doing 80 on 59/20. Inside, the collections are surprisingly deep and diverse. European, American, African, Asian--you name it. I spent a good bit of time in the African galleries, which meant a lot to me having traveled to Tanzania several times. It's one thing to read about cultures, but seeing the art up close brings a whole different level of appreciation. They also had a traveling exhibit featuring Claude Monet, and I'll just say--pictures don't do that justice. The way he plays with light and color is something you've got to see in person. The Renaissance pieces were another highlight, especially the Madonna and Child panels. You can actually see the craftsmanship in the materials--it makes you realize these artists weren't just talented, they were patient... like next-level patient. There's also a really cool mix of American artwork that captures early Alabama life. One painting in particular shows a whole social scene--different classes, different backgrounds--all in one place. It's like a historical snapshot, and honestly, probably more accurate than some of the stories we've all heard growing up. Now let's talk about the staff--because that matters. Every person I interacted with was friendly, welcoming, and actually knew their stuff. I asked a few questions, and instead of getting a quick "I think so," I got detailed answers that made the experience even better. That's the kind of thing you remember. Swing by the gift shop or grab a snack on the second floor--they're ready to welcome you. What I appreciated most was how the museum connects everything. You walk through different cultures, different time periods, and somehow it all ties back to the same themes--faith, identity, daily life, legacy. Makes you realize people haven't changed all that much... we've just gotten better at Wi-Fi. Walking out, I couldn't help but laugh a little--I've passed this place for years and had no idea what I was missing. Safe to say, I won't make that mistake again. In fact, this was my second visit in less than a month. If you're local or just passing through Birmingham, this place is absolutely worth your time. Take it from someone who learned the hard way--don't wait as long as I did. Well done, Birmingham!

This memorial is located on the outside of the Legacy Museum in a small plaza. It is located behind…read morewhere the shuttle picks up to take visitors to the memorial park. This is a very nice memorial that is intended to honor the thousands of Black people lynched in the years immediately following emancipation, whose names may never be known. The memorial has bench seating on its permitter and features a fountain that lists 560 names of lynching victims, a small representation of the thousands killed between 1865 and 1876. You will find sculptures of 3 African heads of different ages coming out from the center of the water fountain. They are very detailed and almost look real. I can feel their pain. At the end of the fountain you will see a wall that reads a follow: "May we never forget all those who suffered and died because they asserted their basic human right to be free". It is very somber memorial and is respectfully done. It educated me as well. I really did not think about the mass lynchings that were conducted post emancipation by white mobs. The fact that everyone was not happy and did not approve of emancipation is commonly overlooked. Many of those people resorted to violence to express their disapproval and maintain supremacy. I like this mural. It is a one of a kind and honors a somewhat forgotten group. The fountain/water table, sculptures and wall and masterfully done and look awesome. You just have to see it for yourself. Anyway, as with most memorials that I have visited and reviewed, this is not a very long stop. I was there less than 10 minutes. More than likely you will stop here while visiting the Legacy Museum, but if not, you should at least make this part of a larger itinerary.

As an artist and art educator I appreciate a well designed and curated museum and this one is…read moreperhaps one of the best I've ever been in. Really powerful stuff here, I think every adult in America needs to experience it. I would caution that I think it would take a well prepared and mature child to visit here, it really drives home America's ugly racial past.

100% worth the visit, particularly for young African Americans who are not learning about our…read morehistory in the country in school or at home. When you see what those before you had to endure in order for you to be able to walk into a restaurant LEGALLY...just go.

Birmingham Civil Rights Institute 16th St Birmingham, AL…read more I wanted to visit this museum, in fear that this history would be deleted, omitted, whitewashed or hidden from public view. As much as insensitive, out of touch people, politicians, or organizations may feel, being reminded of the atrocities committed by their fore parents, we as Americans of indigenous/african descent must endure the pain of oppression, injustice inflicted on our fore parents and threatened to repeat every day, it's a part of our reality politically and socially. These museums provide us with a baseline for freedom deferred also the intestinal fortitude and courage that sustained us.

It's awesome to have you in Avalondale is a public art mural located in naturally the Avondale…read moreportion of the city of Birmingham. My family and I were on a mini stay in the Birmingham city and after visiting Vulcan statue park we stopped in the area for pizza at post office pies. We parked literally right next to This mural And another one. This one is rather large and features my favorite color of green so I was drawn to it immediately. Overall cool and fun photo op mural that I'm sure is a hot spot for tourists like myself and locals proud of there neighborhood.

This is just a decent public art display that we saw. I will be in Birmingham Alabama. Birmingham…read morehas a variety of public art, and this one is not up to par in comparison to the other ones.