A.G. Gaston Motel, Civil Rights Movement motel in Birmingham, United States.
The A.G. Gaston Motel is a motel in Birmingham with 32 guest rooms built in 1954, each featuring private bathrooms, custom drapes, and quality furnishings. The three-story brick building has retained its original layout and design, offering visitors a view of mid-century accommodations.
The motel was founded in 1954 by A.G. Gaston, a successful Black businessman and entrepreneur. It became a center of activity during the Civil Rights Movement in Birmingham throughout the 1960s.
The motel served as a gathering place for African American travelers during segregation and was listed in the Negro Motorist Green Book. It represented Black entrepreneurship and independence at a time when such success was uncommon.
The property is now managed by the National Park Service and the City of Birmingham, with guided tours available to visitors. You can walk through the rooms and exhibits to learn about its role in civil rights history, with special focus on the spaces where key events took place.
The motel was bombed on May 10, 1963, by white supremacists following the start of negotiations between civil rights activists and city officials. This act of violence reflected the tensions that erupted as the location became a symbol of resistance.
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