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A.G. Gaston Motel to close for renovations at Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument

The A.G. Gaston Motel, a historic site of the civil rights movement, will close temporarily starting May 9 for an 18-month renovation to preserve its legacy and enhance visitor experiences.

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The historic A.G. Gaston Motel in Birmingham, Alabama, will soon undergo renovation work. The Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument said the historic site will temporarily close after normal operating hours May 9 to renovate its 1954 wing, with construction expected to last approximately 18 months.The motel, known as the headquarters for “Project C,” provided a safe haven for civil rights leaders Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Ralph D. Abernathy, and Fred L. Shuttlesworth during a pivotal era in the segregated South. Related video at the top: Martin Luther King Jr. fought for civil rights on the streets of BirminghamIt was also the site where strategies for the 1963 Birmingham Campaign were developed. The renovation will meticulously recreate the famous “War Room,” allowing visitors to stand in the exact space where the movement’s most daring strategies were born. A temporary visitor center will be open during construction, with details and the location to be announced later. The $4-million project will transform the vacant structure into a world-class visitor destination, featuring recreated 1960s-era guest rooms and a dedicated exhibit space.

The historic A.G. Gaston Motel in Birmingham, Alabama, will soon undergo renovation work.

The Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument said the historic site will temporarily close after normal operating hours May 9 to renovate its 1954 wing, with construction expected to last approximately 18 months.

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The motel, known as the headquarters for “Project C,” provided a safe haven for civil rights leaders Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Ralph D. Abernathy, and Fred L. Shuttlesworth during a pivotal era in the segregated South.

Related video at the top: Martin Luther King Jr. fought for civil rights on the streets of Birmingham

It was also the site where strategies for the 1963 Birmingham Campaign were developed.

a.g.gaston motel historic site

Hearst Owned

The renovation will meticulously recreate the famous “War Room,” allowing visitors to stand in the exact space where the movement’s most daring strategies were born.

A temporary visitor center will be open during construction, with details and the location to be announced later.

The $4-million project will transform the vacant structure into a world-class visitor destination, featuring recreated 1960s-era guest rooms and a dedicated exhibit space.

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