Birmingham. Review on Alabama

Birmingham, Alabama

Birmingham is the largest city in the southern state of Alabama. Today it is a great tourist attraction, not only as a stage for the Civil Rights movement of the 1960’s, but also for its Jazz and Theatre. Birmingham is now a beautiful, booming city of the South, where people of all races live in harmony. Birmingham has many attractions for visitors of all interests. Most importantly though, are its museums and statues dedicated to that infamous time when Birmingham was in the spotlight of the nation, as well as the world. First I would like to give an overview of some of the current attractions.

Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame

Located in the historic Carver Theater, the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame contains numerous exhibits on Alabamians such as Erskine Hawkins and Sun Ra who have made international contributions to the world of jazz. The museum is located in the Civil Rights District at 1631 4th Avenue north. Admission is free. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 1 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. The Hall is not a very large museum, but it is a must see for all Jazz fans. In my short tour, I learned a lot about Jazz, and even though I am not a big Jazz fan, I found it thoroughly interesting. Of course the museum focuses on Alabama musicians, it still has much to present.

Alabama Sports Hall of Fame

Located in the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex, the Sports Hall of Fame pays tribute to sports heroes with ties to the state of Alabama. Beautifully designed exhibits give visitors a look at careers of Alabama sports legends such as Olympic Medalist Jesse Owens, former Alabama Crimson Tide Coach Paul ''Bear'' Bryant, and Baseball Hall of Famer Willie Mays. I found it interesting to learn about sports heroes that I thought I already knew. The museum provides an interesting perspective on the Sports heroes of Alabama. The Hall of Fame is located on the corner of 22nd Street North at Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard, North.

Alabama Theatre

Known as the most elegant and elaborate movie house in this region of the country, the Alabama Theatre is known as the ''Showplace of the South.'' The ornate theater features first-run and revival films along with concerts and other special events. I have not had a chance to visit it yet, but friends of mine who have recommend it highly. The theatre is located at 1817 3rd Avenue North

Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum

Anybody who knows anything about Alabama knows that Car Racing is the most popular sport. Being from NY, I never really understood the fascination of car racing, but if you want to see what being an Alabamian is all about, this is the place to go. The museum is not really about car racing as it is a motorcycle museum, but it still portrays the southern love for motorsports. It is the largest motorcycle museum in North America. It showcases over three hundred and twenty-five motorcycles from around the world, some dating back to as early as 1904. The museum is located at 2721 5th Avenue South. Hours of Operation are 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Wednesday-Friday. Admission is $5 for adults and $2 for children under 12.

Birmingham Museum of Art

Living less than 30 miles from New York City, I have been spoiled with some of the most exquisite art galleries and museums in the world. Naturally, the Birmingham Museum of Art seemed a little small to me, but the art was no less beautiful. It is the largest municipal museum in the Southeast, and boasts an outstanding collection of over 21,000 works of art from around the world. On permanent display are extensive collections of American, European and Asian art, including the renowned Beeson Collection of Wedgwood. Located at 2000 8th Avenue, North; admission is free.

Other Attractions

Unfortunately, in my short visit I was only able to see so much, but have no fear, Birmingham has much more to offer. Of course it is the site of the Alabama State Fair. If you happen to be in Birmingham during this annual event, it is a must see, but Fair Park is alive all year round. The park is the site of many sporting events as well as a large Flea Market.

Birmingham has a very nice zoo, as well as a science center, and nature center. Of course, Birmingham is known for its famous Vulcan statue. Unfortunately, at the moment the statue is under repairs, and Vulcan Park is closed.

The Civil Rights Museum

Located across from the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, is the Civil Rights Museum. In all my research of the Civil Rights movement, and racist crimes against African Americans, I have seen or heard chilling accounts of heinous acts of violence. As a result, I have developed a kind of personal fear, and enmity for the hooded vigilantes known as the KKK. Touring the exhibits of the museum was like a being put into the fray of the battle, and I came out sickened, but enlightened. The museum is a place that each and every US citizen must visit in their lifetime. I have always enjoyed traveling the States learning about our country’s history, but the segregation of and racism towards our fellow countrymen during the period between the end of slavery, and the 1960’s has always haunted me. We all carry a great debt to Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., for leading the suppressed in a movement that did not incite greater abuses, but rather showed the world the truth. We must all remember his teachings of non-violence, as we must remember those of Ghandi and Nelson Mandela. His path to freedom was a difficult one, but it may have been the only one. On this day that we, as a country, celebrate his birthday, let us remember not only his struggles, but his teachings for a better tomorrow.

The Bottom Line

Birmingham, Alabama is an important place to visit for anyone interested in the history of the US, and especially it's Civil Rights Movement. Not only is it a great cultural experience, but it is an important history lesson.