Civil Rights Memorial
Montgomery, Alabama · Accessibility score 0.8/5
Address: 400 Washington Avenue Montgomery, AL 36104
Phone: (334) 956-8200
About
The Civil Rights Memorial in Montgomery, Alabama, stands as a solemn and moving tribute to 40 people who lost their lives in the struggle for equality between 1954 and 1968. Designed by Maya Lin, the same artist behind the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., this landmark was dedicated in 1989 by the Southern Poverty Law Center.
The memorial's centerpiece is a circular black granite table with water flowing gently over the names of those who were killed. An adjacent curved black granite wall carries the words of Martin Luther King Jr., paraphrasing the Book of Amos: '...until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.' The flowing water invites visitors to touch the surface and trace the names, creating a deeply personal experience.
Adjacent to the outdoor memorial is the Civil Rights Memorial Center, an interpretive space that brings these stories to life. Inside, you'll find a documentary film about the civil rights movement, interactive exhibits, and a Wall of Tolerance where visitors can add their names to a pledge for justice. The center provides important context for each person named on the memorial, telling their individual stories of courage.
The memorial sits in a small plaza at 400 Washington Avenue, just steps from Dexter Avenue and many of Montgomery's other significant civil rights landmarks. You can visit the outdoor memorial at any time free of charge. The Memorial Center has set hours and a small admission fee. Plan to spend about an hour here, though many visitors find themselves staying longer.
Montgomery offers a rich cluster of civil rights history within walking distance, including the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church, the Rosa Parks Museum, and the Freedom Rides Museum. The Civil Rights Memorial makes a natural starting point for exploring this history. Visiting during a weekday morning tends to offer a quieter, more reflective experience.
Accessibility
The Civil Rights Memorial Center is wheelchair accessible, as noted on the US Civil Rights Trail listing. The outdoor memorial plaza is at street level, and the granite water table is designed at a height that allows visitors in wheelchairs to reach out and touch the surface and read the inscribed names.
The Memorial Center's indoor exhibits include a documentary film and visual displays. The flowing water over the memorial provides a tactile and auditory element that can be meaningful for visitors with low vision.
The site is located in downtown Montgomery with nearby street parking. Montgomery's public transit system, The M, serves the downtown area.
For visitors with specific accessibility needs, including questions about assistive listening devices, large-print materials, or service animal policies, contact the Southern Poverty Law Center directly through their website at splcenter.org/civil-rights-memorial before your visit. Staff can provide current details on available accommodations and any temporary changes to access. Group visits and educational tours may also be arranged in advance.
More accessible places in Alabama
- The Legacy Museum (Montgomery)
- Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument (Birmingham)
- Freedom Riders National Monument (Anniston)
- Russell Cave National Monument (Bridgeport)
- Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site (Tuskegee)
- USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park (Mobile)