Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, Birmingham

First point to make: Be aware that the vast majority of the negative reviews come from people with a political axe to grind (controversy over Angela Davis having recognition rescinded, which has now been resolved). It's the kind of activity that really has nothing to do with the venue itself. The Institute itself is well-organized, informative, moving and (for better or worse) quite extensive. There are sections on the Freedom Riders, the history of integration in public accommodations, etc., many with original video footage and countless interesting photographs. One small quibble is that some of the exhibits are accompanied by plaques and other descriptive panels that are a bit hard to read, either due to lighting or very small text. Our experience was overall very positive, and I would recommend this as a great place to see a comprehensive overview of the civil rights movement in the U.S..

Was thoroughly impressed by the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. It is the right size for a museum trip, well laid-out, with a mixture of writing, audio/visual, and artifacts. I'd say 90 minutes to two hours is what you need. You will be inspired by some elements and cry because of others. People of any age will learn from the Institute, and it would be a great trip for students, families, or vacation travelers. The museum does an excellent job of telling the story of civil rights in America, in Alabama, and specifically in Birmingham. I found it powerful and also found that I gained a deeper understanding and appreciation of the city.