Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

What to expect from our Kids' Zone on Juneteenth!

📅 June 19, 2026
📍 Civil Rights District

Help us make Juneteenth Jubilee possible by signing up to volunteer!

bcri.org/volunteer

Join us this Juneteenth in honoring history and culture with free access to many of the heritage sites across the Civil Rights District + a block party with food, music, and fun!

The legacy continues...with you 🫵🏽

In honor of our Juneteenth, individual annual memberships to the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute are just $19 throughout the month of June.

By becoming a member, you're helping ensure that the stories born in Birmingham continue to educate, inspire, and challenge future generations.

You're helping keep this history alive.

Join the legacy.

Become a member today at bcri.org/membership.

As America approaches its 250th year, we reflect on the ongoing struggle to define what America truly is…

And who it’s for.

Is This America is the newest exhibit coming to the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. Curated by Birmingham-based artist, curator, and Studio 2500 founder Willie Williams, the exhibit examines the contradictions between this nation's ideals and the lived experiences of its people.

The exhibit will be on view in the Woolfolk Gallery from June 12-July 18.

Join us for a special opening reception on June 12th featuring live spoken word and musical performances, as well as an opportunity to meet curator Willie Williams!

🖼️ Is This America? | June 12–July 18
✨ Opening Reception: June 12, 2026
⏰ Doors Open: 5:00 PM | Program Begins: 5:30 PM
📍 Woolfolk Gallery at BCRI
🔗 Register at bcri.org/events

Temperatures at BCRI are now near normal operating levels, and we will reopen to the public at Noon today.

This brief delayed opening will allow staff and vendors time to complete final preparations for safe public access to the building.

Thank you again for your patience, support, and understanding throughout this process. We look forward to welcoming visitors back today!

The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute is pleased to share that we have secured a temporary HVAC system while repairs to the facility’s primary system are underway.

The temporary system will allow BCRI to reopen to the public next week with additional permanent repair work expected to continue into the following week.

We are incredibly grateful for the public’s patience, understanding, and overwhelming outpouring of support during this temporary closure, including the many individuals who have donated, renewed memberships, and reached out with messages of encouragement. We also appreciate the continued support, partnership, and coordination of the City of Birmingham, Mayor Randall Woodfin and the City Council, as efforts continue to stabilize the facility and complete repairs.

Your encouragement and concern for BCRI, our staff, and our collections have meant a great deal to us during this time.

BCRI remains committed to working collaboratively with the City as we address both immediate facility needs and the long-term stewardship of this important civic institution. We look forward to welcoming visitors back soon and to the exciting days ahead for the Institute and our community.

We will continue providing updates through our official communication channels.

— Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

Due to an ongoing HVAC system failure impacting the facility, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute will temporarily close to the public effective today, May 22nd, at 3 pm, until further notice.

Over the past several days, BCRI has been working closely with City facilities personnel and technical vendors to assess and address the issue. However, continued system instability and rising indoor temperatures have created conditions that are not suitable for visitors, students, staff, or public programming.

The decision to temporarily close was made out of an abundance of caution and in alignment with BCRI’s commitment to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all guests.

We recognize the inconvenience this may cause and appreciate the public’s patience and understanding as repairs and further technical assessments continue.

Updates regarding reopening timelines will be shared through BCRI’s website and official social media channels as additional information becomes available.

📢 SAVE THE DATE: Juneteenth Jubilee 2026 💫

This year, we’re planning a district-wide celebration of freedom with free admission to multiple historic sites, free tours, music, food trucks, vendors, kid-friendly activities, line dancing, + more!

Join us in the heart of the Civil Rights District this Juneteenth for a day of history, culture, community, and celebration 🎉

Stay tuned for more details! For now, save the date–
📅 June 19, 2026
📍 Civil Rights District

We have the blueprint right here.

Watch Annie Pearl Avery’s full oral history at the link in the comments!