Built in 1954, the motel played a central role in the Birmingham campaign. Many civil rights leaders stayed in its rooms, and its courtyard was also the site of numerous press conferences related to the campaign.

The motel has been undergoing restoration since 2019, and is expected to reopen in late 2022 with an exhibit on the life and legacy of Dr. Gaston. The Gaston Motel is the historic centerpiece of the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument.

Courtesy: City of Birmingham