civil rights memorial center

Before I came here, I was NOT aware of the 40 or more People that died during this era 1954-1968. Most were unsolved. Would advise to watch the film about these warriors as well as to read about them on the front wall. There is a fountain outside dedicated to these fine individuals with their names

Enjoyed this visit because the exhibits were well put together so it was more meaningful. It tied in nicely with the watery memorial outside

Great exhibits, lots of interactive installations. We spent about and hour looking at everything and found it very informative and moving.

The center is filled with historical information on past and current civil rights events. There is a video, but we didn't feel it was appropriate for younger children, so we skipped it. The interactive wall to sign a pledge against intolerance is meaningful.

The simple memorial in front commemorates those who died in the modern civil rights struggle. When you're done with the obligatory photo opp, pop into the building to find out more. Takes 30-45 minutes. They run an excellent short film on the martyrs, with enough general information about the movement for those unfamiliar with its history. Don't expect precious artifacts though. This place is more education centre than museum. It's run by the Southern Poverty Law Center (whose gleaming offices are across the street), a leading anti-hate watchdog. Its website is worth a visit if you want to know whether the struggle against intolerance is over.Street parking is easily found nearby (at least in winter when I visited).

Don't miss the 17-minute video. Maya Lin's lovely, understated memorial is a quiet tribute to 40 people killed in the civil rights struggle 1954-68. The brilliant interactive feature at the end lets visitors pledge themselves to upholding justice and equality, and then see their name light up a giant screen. The Southern Poverty Law Center--keep fighting the good fight.

When one visits here you feel a sense of overall calm and serenity. It is a magical place with so many memories. truly an inspirational place.

Reading history in books, does nothing for this. Walking through the center, touching the pictures and reading the events, was one thing, but when I sat down for the documentary, I literally left sobbing. How could you not? God bless.

I learned a lot by taking a tour of this location. The tour begins with you walking by various plagues and monuments and listening by audio to the description of the person and their involvement in the civil rights movement. You also watch a video. I think I completed the tour in about 2 hours.

We had remembered to bring our SPLC membership card, so we got in free. We learned a lot. The written material made connections between various struggles for human rights. We cried when we wrote our names on the wall, pledging to work for justice. Putting our fingers in the water of the fountain outside, thinking about all the people who had sacrificed for civil rights was an awe inspiring experience.

At the Center you will see the history of awful things that have been done against those working for civil rights, both black and white. All school children should tour this facility, especially after seeing the movie, Selma.

Had a wonderful time and love the customer service.. Mr Donovan was a excellent knowledgeable wonderful young man !! We need more of him !! And love the overall place!!! It takes you back and make you think of the sacrifice . of the one's before us !! My hats off to them!! Thank you !!

I have beena supporter of the SPLC for several years and had the opportunity to visit the Civil Rights Memorial Center on Dec 29 with my wife & two adult daughters. We appreciated the exhibits & the Wall of Tolerance. One of the staff members gave my older daughter, a teacher, posters for her class and offered info' about other classroom material. The Center has a quiet dignity befitting the struggle that it commemorates.

You can see in this Center the pain and anguish that people went through. You can not help but have your heart strings pulled on.

We had a wonderful day visiting the Civil Rights Sites in Alabama's capitol. They were each unique and worth visiting but this site was the best. It thoroughly chronicles the entire era and the tragedies and triumphs. It names names. That means that those who died because they were involved, or just for being black, are honored. The film orients the visitor in a thorough manner and impacted us to the bone. Don't miss this!