Accessibility

The A.G. Gaston Motel built in 1954, serves as the visitor center for Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument. Some parts of the building have been modified to assist visitors with disabilities. Additional areas will be accessible when renovations of the building are completed.

NPS/ Kevin Chandler

 

A.G. Gaston Motel

The A.G. Gaston Motel is operated jointly by the National Park Service and the City of Birmingham. The two sides are separated by a step down from a sidewalk to the pavement on both sides and a step up on the opposite side. Metal ramps have been installed to allow wheelchairs to pass between these two sides.

National Park Service Side (1954)

The oldest section of this motel was built in 1954 as a two-story structure with no elevator. The lack of elevator leaves the second story of the structure inaccessible to visitors in wheelchairs. The motel rooms, including the War Room, are not open to the public at this time. Upcoming renovation plans for the site include turning upstairs motel rooms into exhibit space and adding an elevator to increase accessibility.

The lobby of the motel has been partially renovated to serve as a visitor center for the national monument. It is accessible through a metal ramp just inside the entry gate to the national monument on the left. There is not an automatic ADA door for the lobby.

There are some temporary exhibits including video clips presenting speeches from the Gaston. These exhibits have captions, but audio descriptions are not currently available.

There is not any dedicated ADA parking, however, very close parking is available on the street in front of the entrance to the Gaston Motel or in the parking lot right next to the building.

Pets, excluding service animals, are not allowed in our buildings. Learn more about service animals in national parks on the national page. The National Park Service is incorporating accessibility into renovation plans to address current hurdles to visitors with disabilities.

City Side (1968)

The City of Birmingham operates the 1968 section of the building including a coffee shop, restrooms, and an exhibit space telling the story of prominent businessman and entrepreneur Arthur George (A.G.) Gaston. This side is accessible from the entrance on the street. There is also an entrance with a ramp just inside the entry gate to the national monument on the right. Another ramp connects the coffee shop and restrooms to the exhibit space. The remainder of this side of the motel is not open to the public.

Other Sites in the National Monument

Many other sites in Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument are operated by other organizations. For information about these sites, it is best to contact 16th Street Baptist Church, St. Paul's United Methodist Church, or Birmingham Civil Rights Institute directly. Kelly Ingram Park is paved and accessible. Some areas may have uneven ground.