Freedom Land

Sixteenth Street Baptist Church
The church often served as a meeting and rallying place for leaders and participants in the Movement. On a Sunday morning September 15, 1963, Ku Klux Klansmen bombed the church, killing four little girls preparing for morning worship. Today, the church is thriving and continues its historic role as an open-door church welcoming visitors, cultural, education and civic activities. By Appointment. Donations Appreciated.

Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute is a "living institution" which views the lessons of the past as a positive way to chart new direction for the future. Through film clips, and a series of galleries, the institute contrasts the lives of blacks and whites from the late 1800s to the present. An introductory film explains the birth of Birmingham as a mining community where blacks and whites lived side by side in mining town shanties-equal in their poverty. But by the first half of the century, segregation became the norm, on public transportation, at lunch counters and with Jim Crow laws suppressing the black population. Many powerful stories are told within the walls of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. Group Reservations Appreciated. Admission.

Kelly Ingram Park
Serving as the gateway to the Civil Rights District, Kelly Ingram Park is designated as "A Place of Revolution and Reconciliation. During the 1960's the public park was a place for uniting forces of grassroots resistance to racism and organizing marches, including ones in which police dogs and fire hoses were turned on the marchers. Sculptures in the park recollect attacks on the demonstrators, children jailed for their involvement in the protests, and the clergy's important role in the Movement. In sharp contrast to the scenes of the '60s, paths along the Freedom Walk converge at a peaceful, reflective fountain, a life spring of hope. A fascinating accompaniment to a walk through the park is Nationwide's Kelly Ingram Park Audio Tour. Using hand-held Acoustiguides, your group can hear the recollections of trauma, defeat and victory from the Civil Rights heroes and footsoldiers involved in the marches and demonstrations of the Movement. Charge for audio tour.

Lunch at Glory's Family Dining
All you can eat buffet featuring a variety of foods including soul food located at the Fairfield Civic Center. Reservations Appreciated.

Driving tour of Miles College
Opened in 1908 to provide training to black teachers and ministers. Established by the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in Alabama the school was named in honor of Bishop William H. Miles. Miles continues to offer degrees in liberal arts in a small co-educational setting.

Fourth Avenue Business District
After the turn of the century, Jim Crow laws authorizing the distinct separation of "the races" and subsequent restrictions placed on black firmsforced the growing black business community into an area along third, fourth and fifth avenues north from 15th to 18th streets. This area served as the business, social and cultural center for black activities similar to those in the predominantly white districts. The businesses located in this area included barber and beauty shops, banks, morturaries, theatres, motels and nightclubs. These black businesses and their successors continued to do well throughout the 60's. Today, many businesses still operate in the district, serving a steady stream of customers of all races.

Eddie Kendricks Memorial Park
The Eddie Kendricks Memorial Park honors Birmingham native and Temptation lead singer Eddie Kendrick, who traveled the world but never forgot his Alabama roots. Sculpted by Alabama artist Ronald Scott McDowell, the Kendrick statue captures the magic moves of his Mowtown music for eternity. Sculpted into a granite backdrop, the four Temptationsenergize the work with their fine-tuned choreography. Kendrick and the Temptations hit the top of the music charts in 1964 with "The Way You Do the Things You Do," the first of 37 career top ten hits. Kendrick died of lung cancer in a Birmingham hospital in 1992. 4th Avenue at 18th Street.

Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame at the Carver Theatre
From the boogie-woogie beginnings of Clarence "Pinetop" Smith to the velvet crooning of Nat King Cole, legendary jazz greats are immortalized in the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame within the historic Carver Theatre. Interactive exhibits convey the accomplishments of the likes of Duke Ellington, Lionel Hampton and Erskine Hawkins all with Alabama ties. The renovated Carver Theatre was prominent among a half dozen theatres that catered to black patrons during segregation to enjoy movies and live entertainment. Group Reservations Appreciated.

Supper at Chris McNair Studios & Art Gallery
Chris and Maxine McNair played more than one important role in America's Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. The most well known family involvement was the death of their daughter, 11-year-old Denise McNair, in the infamous bombing of 16th Street Baptist Church in 1963. Three other young black women were slain in that act of hatred. A noted photographer in the early days of the Movement, Chris McNair displays at the studio his vivid black and white photographs of Civil Rights activities. Moving beyond words is the Denise McNair Memorial Room inside the gallery. Tours may also schedule a viewing of the Academy Award-nominated film "4 Little Girls" by Spike Lee.

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