WELCOME TO THE MCKINSTRY FAMILY MUSEUM ONLINE TOUR - Let's Get Started!.jpg
Exhibit IA - Meet the McKinstry Family- sitting l-r- Doris, Jacqueline, Grenetta, Shirley, Standing l-r- Marvin, Willie G. (mother), Melvin.JPG
Exhibit 1B - Meet Willie D. McKinstry (father).jpg
Exhibit 3 -Sadly, between 1956-2006, the years this museum covers, three family members died..jpg
Exhibit 3B - Dr. Willie D. McKinstry (Willie McKinstry), husband of Willie G. and father of the 9 McKinstry children covered in this online tour. This is his obituary program.JPG
Exhibit 3C - This is Wilma, oldest McKinstry daughter and mother to Venita and Ralph. Wilma died while giving birth to her 3rd child, Djuana..JPG
Exhibit 3D - This is Jacqueline McKinstry Picket who died. She was the McKinstry's 3rd oldest daughter. This is her obituary program..JPG
Exhibit 4 - The McKinstry Family House (House), home to the McKinstry family for over 50 years..JPG
Exhibit 5 - Mailbox showing 2236 as the House's CITY address. The Original COUNTY address, year 1956, when the McKinsry's moved in, was r Rd 1 Box 410.JPG
Exhibit 6 - On February 12, 2015, the house received Alabama Historical Landmark Status. The name, MCKINSTRY FAMILY HOUSE. was designated by the state of Alabama..JPG
Exhibit 6B - Letter received from the State of Alabama..JPG
Exhibit 7 -Grenetta standing in Marvin's yard before trip to Birmingham, AL, December 2014, to do research on the House..JPG
Exhibit 8 - Marvin standing in his yard before trip to Birmingham, AL. December 2014, to do research on the House..JPG
Exhibit 12 -Another image of City Directory Librarian helping Marvin with research on the House..JPG
Exhibit 12B - Another Image of librarian helping Marvin with his research on the House..JPG
Exhibit 13 - Grenetta at machine looking through city directory, EXHAUSTED. It took a lot of time finding the right information on the House..JPG
Exhibit 14 - Library microfilm results (2) (3). SUCCESS! Thanks to the employees at the Birmingham Public Library who helped Grenetta and Marvin with their research on the House, December 2014..JPG
Exhibit 15 - Grenetta and Marvin (Founders) at desk (6-19-2015) in Birminham, AL, getting Museum approved for inside of the House..JPG
Exhibit 16 - Grenetta is signing Alabama legal documents attached to founding the Museum..JPG
Exhibit 17 - List of permanent residents in the house during segregation. Willie G. McKinstry wrote the list in her own handwriting. Venita and Ralph were later adopted after the list was written..JPG
Exhibit 18 - American Flag, symbol of freedom. However, RACIAL SEGREGATION in America. refers to segregation of facilities, services, housing, medical care, education, employment, transportation along racial lines..JPG
Exhibit 19 - To the McKinstry family, segregation meant the leagally and socialy ENFORCED seperation of black families from whites in all ares of life..JPG
Exhibit 21 -The neighborhood surrounding the McKinstry house has been in existance for over 50 years. It's historic. Shirley by maroon car. The outside architecture of the houses is basically the same for over 50 yrs..JPG
Exhibit 22 - True, there have been some changes. The corner McKinstry family neighborhood grocery store is gone. A street sign & fire hydrant marks the spot where the corner grocery store was located..JPG
Exhibit 23 - A few of the community houses have been torn down or burned down. Ex.-Annie Pearl's (Willie Mays' half sister) lot showing beige Plant growth.JPG
Exhibit 24 - Image of Annie Pearl's lot, 3 lot's up from McKinstry Family House.JPG
Exhibit 25- The McKinstry family neighborhood gas station that was near the railroad track is gone..jpg
Exhibit 26 - Yet, some of the houses in the old neighborhood are still there-Mrs. Lula's house next door to McKinstry Family House. White truck in front yard..JPG
Exhibit 27 - The Hardy's and Mrs. Berry's houses across the street from McKinstry Family House are still there. Mrs. Lutisha's house is also, still there. She is dead, but the house is occupied.JPG
Exhibit 28 - Henry Compton Drive leads into a suburb called Powderly Hills. In 1963, it was an all black suburb..JPG
Exhibit 29 - The historic railroad track is still there and functional. It was there in 1956, when the McKinstry's moved in the House..jpg
Exhibit 30 - The historic Birmingham-Easonian Baptist Bible College (BBBC), founded in 1904, is still there, located 0.22 miles north of the House..jpg
Exhibit 32 - The McKinstry family, like other familes under segregation, had to endure signs like this, placed in a restaurant window in Lancaster, Ohio in 1938. It says, WE CATER TO WHITE TRADE ONLY..JPG
Exhibit 34 -Another sign showing segregation - Sign for COLORED waiting room at a Greyhound bus terminal in Rome, Georgia, 1943..JPG
Exhibit 33 - Segregation History - A black man drinks from a COLORED drinking fountain in Oklahoma City (1939).JPG
Exhibit 36- Two of the McKinstry daughters. (Sitting l-r- Grenetta, Jacqueline.) were involved in the Birmingham 1963 Civil Rights Movement. Standing is McKinstry daughter, Doris..jpg
Exhibit 35 - Martin Luther King, Jr. in April 1963, wrote from the Birmingham jail, -BIRMINGHAM IS PROBABLY THE MOST SEGREGATED CITY IN THE UNITED STATES..JPG
Exhibit 37 - Often in 1963, a mass of peaceful black demonstrators gathered outside 16th Street Baptist Church.JPG
Exhibit 38 - John F. Kennedy (JFK) was president in 1963, during the Birmingham Civil Rights Movement.JPG
Exhibit 39 - Willie G. McKinstry, mother. In 1963 drove her daughters to Civil Rights meetings at 16th Street Baptist Church..JPG
Exhibit 40 - Rosa Parks being fingerprinted by deputy sheriff D. H. Lackey after arrest for boycotting public transportation. 12-01-1955..JPG
Exhibit 41 - Birmingham city streets around 16th Street Baptist Church. The notorius public Safety commissioner, T. Eugene BULL Connor, vowed he would enforce law and order at any cost on the streets of Birmingham.JPG
Exhibit 42 -On April 10, 1963, Grenetta and a friend, Cynthia, volunteered to become the 1st children to peacefully protest during the 1963 Civil Rights Movement..jpg
Exhibit 43- -Grenetta picketing with sign in front of Trailway's bus station. Al Hibler leads the picket line..JPG
Exhibit 44 - The Birmingham police commissioner, Eugene (Bull) Connor is seen instructing the picketers. Grenetta is picketer #8 in line, wearing white socks and tennis.JPG
Exhibit 46 - Increased facial image of Grenetta only pulled from the picketing Exhibit 42..JPG
Exhibit 45- Increased image of Grenetta and Cynthia pulled from Exhbit 42. Grenetta has on white socks and tennis shoes..JPG
Exhibit 46B - a facial recognition photo of young Grenetta to compare to Grenetta's facial image pulled from exhibit 42. Both images are of Grenetta..JPG
Exhibit 47 - Increased image of Bull Connor (suit) talking to a police officer. Image pulled from exhibit 42..JPG
Exhibit 48 - Grenetta had a brief respite at McKinstry Family House before she marched in Birmingham a 2nd time. This time in May 1963. Image of N. side of House, woods, and Car port-.JPG
Exhibit 49 -Word had gotten out for students to demonstate. This is a children's monument in Kelly Ingram Park, near a sign that says, GET UP, STAND UP, STAND UP FOR YOUR RIGHTS..jpg
Exhibit 50 The # of students demonstrating was so large, juvenile hall and city jail could not hold them all -I AIN'T AFRAID OF YOUR JAIL. Grenetta in middle of student monument in Kelly Ingram Park..JPG
Exhibit 51-Many students left school and marched as part of the protest. Students of all ages participated.JPG
Exhibit 52-- They housed Grenetta and many of the students at the Birmingham fairgrounds. Grenetta sat on the floor with other girls from Ullman High School that she knew.jpg
Exhibit 53 - The girls sat on the floor and talked. They were given food. But, the FLOOR was their bed. Grenetta sat on the floor with other girls from Ullman High that she knew..JPG
Exhibit 54 - There were many students packed together at the fairgrounds. Grenetta saw no crying, no fighting, just bravery. Students united for a common cause..jpg
Exhibit 55 - President John F. Kennedy in civil rights speech, 6-11-1963, said; NO CITY OR STATE BODY CAN PRUDENTLY CHOOSE TO IGNORE THEM. This refered to the 1963 children demonstrators..JPG
Exhibit 56 - Celebration erupts after the 13th amendment is passed by the House of Representatives. Harper's Weekly. February 18, 1863..JPG
Exhibit 57 - This is Gordon, a former slave, who had scars all over his back due to beatings by his former plantation master. Some atrocities are so shameful they should-NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN-in USA history..JPG
Exhibit 58 -Image of Ullman High School as it appeared in 1910 in the Birmingham De Luxe book. There were no school facilities at the fairgrounds. The students were from many different black-schools across B'ham..JPG
Exhibit 59 - Jacqueline, who attended Parker High School, walked-out with the students from Parker. This is Jacqueline's Police record-B'ham Public Library Archives. Note the details..jpg
Exhibit 60 -Note reads; I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT MANY JUVENILE RECORDS WERE DESTROYED AT THE REQUEST OF PARENTS AND LAWYERS. signed -JIM BAGGETT. Archives found no arrest record for Grenetta & Shirley.JPG
Exhibit 61-For her part in the April 10, 1963 picketing, Grenetta and her mother appeared before a white- judge in his chambers. She had a black- female lawyer. In the end, all charges were dropped..jpg
Exhibit 62 - Shirley, much older, had two black-lawyers. Shirley's case will be discussed later in this online tour..JPG
Exhibit 63 -Grenetta at the top of the steps of 16th Street Baptist Church, above Basement entrance where Grenetta was voted vice president of student movement at a meeting in the basement. Tommy Wren voted pres..JPG
Exhibit 64 -Grenetta standing outside basement, 16th Street Baptist Church where she was voted vice president & Tommy Wren voted president of student demonstrators, April-May 1963..JPG
Exhibit 65 -Probably, most of the hundreds of students who demonstrated in April-May 1963, did not know they had a Pres. & Vice Pres. They just demonstrated, got arrested and went to jail. They are to be admired..JPG
Exhibit 66 - Grenetta on 08-28-1963, demonstrated in the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Here are other demonstrators in Washington at the March on Washington 1963..JPG
Exhibit 67 - Two black men with March on Washington sign. Grenetta went to Washington. Ms. Tish, an elderly lady, who Grenetta's mother trusted, served as her chaperone. Grenetta was still 15 years old..JPG
Exhibit 68 - Ms. Tish House was so close to the McKinstry Family House that it can be seen through the McKinstry's Den window-..JPG
Exhibit 69 -Section of Historic Kelly Ingram Park. Grenetta's mother drove her and Ms. Tish to the Washington, D.C. charter bus departure location in Kelly Ingram Park and picked them up when they returned..JPG
Exhibit 70 -Mrs. Fannie Mae and daughter Barbara. Grenetta was in Selma, AL, on the night of the Celebrity concert. She was chaperoned by Mrs. Fannie Mae and her husband, Willie, who drove them to the concert..jpg
Exhibit 71 - Nipsy Russell was on the Selma, AL, celebrity bus. Grenetta passed by the bus. Mr. Russell playfully smiled & winked his eye at her. Mr. Russell performed at a concert for the Selma protestors..JPG
Exhibit 72 - Other celebrities performed with Mr. Russell at the Selma Concert. Dick Gregory was rumored to be one of them. Grenetta standing by monument of 1st black-man killed in World War II- Kelly Ingram Park..JPG
Exhibit 74 - Birmingham Foot Soldier monument in Kelly Ingram Park. St. Augustine, FL, also, has a Foot Soldier monument, dedicated May 14, 2011..JPG
Exhibit 75 - The Foot Soldier reunion brochure and envelope addressed to Grenetta.JPG
Exhibit 76 - Even with all the civil rights activity in which Grenetta participated, she managed to graduate from Ullman High School in the top 10 of her graduating class, January 1965..JPG
Exhibit 77 - 1966 Stillmanite Year Book. Grenetta also, received a tuition scholarship to Stillman College, one of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).jpg
Exhibit 73- Grenetta (here) marched in St. Augustine, Fl., and spent 2 wks. in jail in a holding cell with other female demonstrators. The women were never mixed with the general prison population..jpg
Exhibit 78-All the McKinstry Children were born as segregation loomed over the city of Birmingham. Wilma, Shirley, Melvin, Jacqueline, and Marvin were all born at home, not in a hospital..jpg
Exhibit 79 - Grenetta was born in a hospital ELEVATOR, not a hospital bed. Her mother was paid $5.00 for her inconvenience. Hospitals that catered to Blacks during SEGREGATION were not that good. - Just say SHE'S UNIQUE!.jpg
Exhibit 80 - Youngest McKinstry daughter, Venita. Born in 1961. Adopted by the McKinstry parents after their oldest daughter, Wilma, Venita's mother, died giving child birth to her third child, Djuana..JPG
Exhibit 80B- Youngest McKinstry son, Ralph. Born in 1963. Adopted by the McKinstry Parents after their oldest daughter, Wilma, Ralph's mother, died giving childbirth to her third child, Djuana..JPG
Exhibit 81- Young Djuana, born to Wilma, oldest daughter of Willie D. McKinstry. Wilma died giving childbirth to Djuana. Djuana was adopted at birth by Willie D. McKinstry's sister, Annie Mae, Birmingham, AL..JPG
Exhibit 82 - Djuana as adult. While growing up, the 3 siblings (Venita, Ralph, Djuana, all birthed by Wilma) kept in close contact with each other and are now (2019) very close..JPG
Exhibit 83 - Lynching of six African Americans in Georgia. -Count the number of ropes.- De Jure segregation mandated the separation of races by law , and was the form imposed by slave codes before the Civil War..JPG
Exhibit 84 - De Jure segregation was outlawed by the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Here is Robert F. Kennedy speaking to civil rights activists in front of the Justice Department on June 14, 1963 (7).JPG
Exhibit 85 - Segregation laws were strictly followed in the city of Birmingham until the 1960s civil rights activities in Alabama. The Rex Theatre in MS. 1937, shows how widespread segregation was in the South..JPG
Exhibit 86- A Jim Crow Cartoon Bus showing how blacks were not treated equally. The sign above the 1st bus says -CAR FOR WHITE FOLKS - The crumpled bus is for blacks- jim crow car.JPG
Exhibit 87- The Birmingham city transit buses, during segregation, looked similar to this one. There were two doors, front and side. Here is the bus Rosa Parks was riding when she refused to give up her seat..JPG
Exhibit 88 -One never knew when the bus would be full and a black person would have to give up their seat to a white person. Same bus fare. Inferior treatment for blacks. Not good. Segregation had to be eliminated.JPG
Exhibit 90 - Shirley recalls an incident on a city bus one Saturday in 1963. She and a friend, D. Nelson, boarded and paid their fair. They then were told to get off the bus, enter the rear door. Nelson refused..JPG
Exhibit 89 - Under segregation,blacks paid the same bus fair as whites, but were discriminated against and treated unfairly by making blacks give up their seats on the bus to a white person..JPG
Exhibit 92- When the Birmingham police arrived, the bus driver told the police that there were TWO NIGGERS on the bus being disordely. They were both taken off the bus and written-up for disorderly conduct..JPG
Exhibit 93 -Shirley and Ms. D. Nelson did not go to jail at the time, but Shirley had to appear in court two or three times because of the incident..JPG
Exhibit 94 - Arthur Shores & Arzell Billingsley, two black attorneys represented Shirley. On the last time Shirley attended court for the incident, the case was thrown out of court. She has no criminal record..JPG
Exhibit 95 - What happened to Shirley and her friend, Ms. D. Nelson, is just another example of the way things were before the civil rights movement in 1963..jpg
Exhibit 96 - Lynching of one black man. De facto segregation or segregation IN FACT is segregation existing without sanction of the law. Example; Blacks and whites living together in the same house was forbidden..JPG
Exhibit 97 - Grenetta worked at the Thomas Jefferson Hotel during De Facto segregation in Birmingham, AL. She was an elevator operator. Blacks could work at these white-only hotels, but not stay there as a guest..jpg
Exhibit 99 - Grenetta's Ullman High School diploma. Grenetta graduated from Ullman, January 1965. So to occupy her time before college, September 1965, Grenetta took the job at the Thomas Jefferson Hotel..JPG
Exhibit 1C - Meet Wilma (oldest daughter).JPG
Exhibit 1D - Meet Venita (daughter of Wilma).JPG
Exhibit 1E - Meet Ralph (Wilma's son).JPG
Ehibit 31- Segregation History-Bodies of three men lynched in Georgia, May 1892..JPG
Exhibit 100 -CONGRATULATIONS DEACON WILLIE MCKINSTRY-marque. In 1963, the only black-owned hotel-motel in Birmingham, AL, was the A.G. Gaston Motel, owned by A.G. Gaston, the first black millionaire in the South..JPG
Exhibit 102 - Willie McKinstry standing in front of A. G. Gaston Restaurant & Motel-34 years of service on radio.jpg
Exhibit 103- Mildred and Richard Loving, interaccial Couple. Landmark Supreme Court case that wiped away state laws banning interracial marriage in the United States in 1967..JPG
Exhibit 104 - On July 11, 1958, newlyweds Richard and Mildred Loving were asleep in bed when three armed police officers burst into their room. They were thrown in jail, all for the crime of getting married..jpg
Exhibit 105 - In June of 1967, the Supreme Court ruled that laws prohibiting interracial marriage were unconstitutional..JPG
Exhibit 106 - Zion Memorial Gardens, in 1963, was a black-only cemetary. Prior to 1970, blacks and whites were buried separately in different cemetaries in Birmingham, AL. Office buildings..JPG
Exhibit 107 - This is another section of Zion Memorial Gardens Cemetary (black-only during segregation). In 1963, there was also, a white-only cemetary, Elmwood Cemetary..JPG
Exhibit 108 -Zion Memorial Gardens grave site (black-ony in 1963). Many who drove past Johns-Ridout 's Mortuary-Elmwood Chapel in 1963, watched numerous white-only funerals and-or burials being proudly held there..JPG
Exhibit 110 - Denise McNair, a black female (1 of 4 bombing victims when 16th Street Baptist Church was bombed) was exhumed from ShadowLawn Memorial Park to Elmwood Cemetary by her parents in August 2007..JPG
Exhibit 111- Another famous black person buried in Elmwood Cemetary is Eddie Kendricks (3rd singer from the left) of the Temptations (1939-1992).JPG
Exhibit 112- How does Elmwood Cemetary connect to the McKinstry Family. Answer-McKinstry daughter, JACQUELINE, a black female is buried there..jpg
Exhibit 113 - Jacqueline, a black-female, a 1963 Birmingham Civil Rights Foot-Soldier, a McKinstry, is now buried in once white-only Elmwood Cemetary. Her demonstrating in 1963 paid off. Bravo Jacqueline! RIP..jpg
Exhibit 114 - Willie McKinstry is buried at Zion Memorial Gardens. His burial location is accessible to his admiring public and family. Daughter, Grenetta is standing between Willie D. and wife, Willie G. Mckinstry.JPG
Exhibit 115 - Image of the Carver Theater. Birmingham sgregation ordinances dictated that all movie theatres be segregated in 1963. Birmingham had only one black movie theatre, THE CARVER THEATRE, on 4th Avenue.JPG
Exhibit 116- Image of the Alabama theatre, a white-only movie theatre in Birmimgham, AL, 1963.JPG
Exhibit 117 - Image of young Marvin McKinstry. He remembers ALABAMA theatre did not allow blacks admission during segregation years in Birmingham..JPG
Exhibit 118 - Dean Rice with wife and Young daughter, Condeleezza. Reverand Rice was Dean of Students at Stillman College & former Guidance Counselor at Ullman High..JPG
Exhibit 119- Grenetta remembers going to the Empire theater in Birmingham to see GOLDFINGER. The theatre admitted blacks but she had to sit in the balcony..JPG
Exhibit 120 - Image of Eleanor Roosevelt with some of her minority female friends. She championed many civil rights activities. See exhibit 120 LEGEND for more information..JPG
Exhibit 121 - Eleanor Roosevelt, former first lady. While at a Southern Conference for Human Welfare meeting in Birmingham,AL, in 1938, defied Bull Connor's order not to SEGREGATE TOGETHER. No mixing of races..JPG
Exhibit 122 - Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of former President Franklin D. Roosevelt , is the most famous white-female ever to become a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, a predominantly black-female sorority.JPG
Exhibit 123- How does Eleanor Roosevelt connect to the McKinstry family. Answer- daughter, GRENETTA, is also, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Sorority. She joined the Delta Sigma chapter at , Stillman College, 1966.jpg
Exhibit 124 - Powderly Elementary School, grades 1-8. 100% black students during segregation. Principal A.C. Dickerson. Marvin & Grenetta attended. All teachers were black same as the principal.JPG
Exhibit 125 - Bell Lyre- instrument Grenetta McKinstry played in the Powderly Elementary School marching band during segregation years. Marvin played the trumpet..JPG
Exhibit 126 - Neighborhood street near Powderly Elementary School where Grenetta and Marvin's marching band, most likely, practiced..JPG
Exhibit 127 - A section of Powderly Elementary. Unfortunately, when the school caught fire, the room containing the school instruments was completely destroyed along with the instruments within..JPG
Exhibit 128 - Playground section of Powderly Elementary school, Year 2014. No playground equipment was there 1953-1961. Marvin and Grenetta graduated 8th grade, before the band instruments they played could be replaced.JPG
Exhibit 129 - Ullman High School 30 year Class reunion, Class of 1965. Marvin and Grenetta, attended Ullman High (black-only during segregation). Grenetta is 2nd row. Standing. #12 from l-r. Center of line..JPG
Exhibit 130 - White supremacists bombed 16th Street Baptist Church in 1963. The bomb exploded under the church steps. 4 little girls killed. Cynthia Wesley often hung around Grenetta's high school class at lunch ..JPG
Exhibit 131 - The 4 girls killed in the bombing (clockwise from top left)-Addie Mae Collins (14),Cynthia Wesley (14), Carole Robertson (14), and Carol Denise McNair (11)..JPG
Exhibit 132 - At the funeral of three of the girls (all held at the same time), right before they were laid to rest Dr. King made this speech- THIS TRAGIC DAY MAY CAUSE THE WHITE SIDE TO COME TO .....JPG
Exhibit 133 - Cynthia Wesley attended Ullman High School. Cynthia sometimes hung around Grenetta's class during lunch period..JPG
Exhibit 134. Grenetta's class members were a grade ahead of Cynthia, but she liked to hang around the girls in her class at lunch time. Here demonstrators protesting the bombing. Sign says-NO MORE BIRMINGHAM..JPG
Exhibit 135 - Weakage. A.G. Gaston Motel following bomb explosion May 11, 1963. Between 1957-1963, 17 bombings of black churches and homes of black leaders in B'ham occurred. City nicknamed, BOMBINGHAM..JPG
Exhibit 136 -Under segregation, all churches were racially segregated in Birmingham, AL. Each race had their own set of churches. Blacks and whites were not allowed to pray together in church. Forbidden by law..JPG
Exhibit 137 - Marvin outside Historic New Pilgrim Baptist Church. The McKinstry family's church in 1963, segregation years..JPG
Exhibit 101 - A.G. Gaston standing on stage, A.G. Gaston Building. Gaston was a self -made Millionaire and local business-man. He owned in 1963, many black-only businesses . Willie McKinstry is standing behind..jpg
Exhibit 138. Grenetta and Shirley sang in the New Pilgrim church choir. Mrs. Elsaw seen here receiving an award from Willie McKinstry (right) was Grenetta's youth choir directress..JPG
Exhibit 139- Doris-was also, active in church. Here is young Doris speaking at podium. Her father sitting on stage with crown on his head. Church activity..JPG
Exhibit 140 - Doris and other McKinstry children were baptised at Historic New Pilgram Baptist Church. Note minister signature, Nelson H. Smtih, Jr.JPG
Exhibit 141 - Willie G., wife of Willie D. McKinstry, also, did much community service work. The BBBC alumni association awarded her for her work with the BBBC by giving her this award..JPG
Exhibit 142 - Powderly, AL, black-female beauty competition during segregation (contest was ca. late 1950s-early 1960s) and was held at the BBBC. Jacqueline was a contestant..jpg
Exhibit 143 -Jacqueline McKinstry won 2nd place. She competed against an array of beautiful black females from Powderly, Alabama..jpg
Exhibit 144 - Jacqueline's future husband , George (Prez) is seen standing behind her. The couple eventually married & had two sons..jpg
Exhibit 145 - Another event that the McKinstry children enkoyed was vacation bible school held 2 weeks during the summer on the BBBC, original building, steps, outside. A local church conducted the classes..jpg
Exhibit 146 -Original building of the Birmingham Baptist Bible College (BBBC). The steps of the building (white section) was where the summer-vacation bible school the McKinstry children attended was held..JPG
Exhibit 147 - Under segregation, some of the department stores in Birmingham, AL (large and small), that sold clothes, would not let blacks try-on the clothes prior to purchasing. This was not so for white-purchasers.jpg
Exhibit 148 - If a black person wanted a clothing item, they had to buy it outright, without trying it on. Not so for white purchasers. Also, the clothes blacks purchased could not be returned. Not so for whites..jpg
Exhibit 149- Segregation can also manifest itself as the separation of roles within an institution..jpg
Exhibit 150 - In 1963, city population of almost 350,000 with 60% white & 40% black, B'ham had no black police officers, firefighters, bus drivers, bank tellers or store cashiers..jpg
Exhibit 151 - Melvin McKinstry in front yard. Jobs available to black workers were limited to manual labor in segregated Birmingham.JPG
Exhibit 152 - Willie McKinstry was a trailblazer of black radio and television (TV) broadcasting. He was the FIRST BLACK local radio and TV broadcaster in Birmingham, AL..JPG
Exhibit 153 - Willie McKinstry rose from very humble beginnings. In 1955, his school principal wrote a letter describing his hardships starting with the year 1929 (Great Depression).JPG
Exhibit 154 - Mrs. Mary Stith-Nations , described how Willie had to quit school in the 10th grade and go to work in the CC Camps. Segregation combined with the Great Depression was a hardship.JPG
Exhibit 155 - Willie McKinstry's father was physically incapacitated at the time, so he had to become the bread-winner for his family and help support his mother and sisters. The Great Depression (October 1929).jpg
Exhibit 156- Amazingly, against all odds, by 1978, Willie McKinstry, a black man, had become Assistant General Manager for Johnston Broadcasting Company, white-owned.JPG
Exhibit 157 - Willie McKinstry began his radio career in 1939 at WHMA (AM radio) Anniston at the height of segregation in the South. At that time it was not easy for a black man to break into a career in radio..JPG
Exhibit 158 -In the early 40s, Willie McKinstry switched to WJLD radio station. All broadcasters at WJLD were white when Willie started. He sang well, which greatly helped him..JPG
Exhibit 159 - In 1943, WJLD, one of four white-owned radio stations in Alabama, began selling airtime to people who sang or played Urban Contemporary Gospel Music instruments..JPG
Exhibit 160-Willie McKinstry was in local commercials for black-owned businesses. Here is Willie McKinstry in Nelson Piano advertisement..JPG
Exhibit 161 - In 1944, a gospel singing group organized by Willie McKinstry called Kelley Choral Singers became the FIRST black gospel singing group to perform LIVE on WJLD radio station. 1944-1949.jpg
Exhibit 162- The advent of RADIO in the 1920s greatly increased the audience for gospel music. Major entertainment- Great Depression..JPG
Exhibit 163- In the 1930s a wave of gospel groups developed out of the CC Camps, steel mill and coal mining communities of Jefferson County. Willie McKinstry came out of the CC Camps..jpg
Exhibit 164- Willie McKinstry and group can still be heard today on YouTube. Here is his 45 record, MY GOD IS REAL. - Von record label out of Detroit..JPG
Exhibit 165 - By 1946, Willie McKinstry had manuevered his way into becoming an intregal part of the WJLD family. He sang gospel songs and MC'd on Sunday. In 1954, WJLD began exclusively targeting black listeners.jpg
Exhibit 166 -Willie McKinstry spinning records. A significant turning point in radio during segregation. Image was taken at WJLD..JPG
Exhibit 167 - In 1956, a well-known local vocalist Ennis Bragg, brought his, Golden Hummingbirds, gospel singers on McKinstry's Saturday evening show for the first time..JPG
Exhibit 168 - WJLD envelope addressed to Willie McKinstry. In 1958, Alma Johnson (Colin Powell's wife. Colin Powell 1st black secretary of State under George W. Bush) had a woman's noon show on WJLD..JPG
Exhibit 169- Willie McKinstry had many local, national and international celebrity friends and assoociates. Some of them came to visit him at McKinstry Family House. A. G. Gaston, left, & Willie at Doris' wedding..JPG
Exhibit 170- Norman B. Wooding, Jr. (sang with Kelly Choral Singers, MacMillan Jubilee Singers, Birmingham Travelers, Host of the Gospel Unity Hour on WJLD).jpg
Exhibit 171- In 1963, Reverend N.H. Smith was pastor of historic New Pilgrim Baptist Church, 6th avenue S. location..jpg
Exhibit 172 - Willie McKinstry in the Den at home. Some of his awards can be seen displayed above his head. The Den and living room served to entertain and converse with those who came to visit..JPG
Exhibit 173- In addition to radio, Willie McKinstry was the FIRST local, black man or woman, to do a TV commercial live on Birmingham TV. Here he is standing above an ANALOG TV that his family watched in Den at home..JPG
Exhibit 174- A small analog TV similar to the one Grenetta used to watch Willie McKinstry do his 1st LIVE, local TV commercial, Satuday night, Channel 13, during Saturday night LIVE wrestling show.JPG
Exhibit 175-- ORIGINAL dresser on which the small TV sat (ca.1956-1960) broadcasting Willie McKinstry's 1st TV commercial. It was very exciting to see him, a black man, on segregated local TV.JPG
Exhibit 177- Willie McKinstry on segregated Birmingham TV was a big deal. No local blacks were on segregated TV in Birmingham like in modern times..jpg
Exhibit 178-- Gregg Morris, star of the original Mission Impossible show, came to Birmingham and Willie McKinstry was responsible for chaperoning him around town..JPG
Exhibit 179 - Willie McKinstry was often asked to be a chaperone for celebrities visiting Birmingham, AL. Do you know this celebrity golfer ( ca. 1970)-.JPG
Exhibit 180- Willie McKinstry did a photo-op with Nat King Cole on April 10, 1956. Later on Mr. Cole was attacked by white supremacists on stage during a performance at the Municipal Auditorium- Boutwell..jpg
Exhibit 181 - Marvin standing by Boutwell sign of Nat King Cole. He performed there on April 10, 1956, segregation years. Boutwell used to be called Municipal Auditorium..JPG
Exhibit 182- Willie McKinstry was also friends with Sam Cooke, singer, when he sang with the Soul Stirrers Gospel Group..JPG
Exhibit 183 - Willie McKinstry was an associate of Jim Brown (former pro football player-actor). Note- photo with record sent to Willie..JPG
Exhibit 184 - Otis Redding visited Willie McKinstry at his House before he perormed at his concert in Birmingham, AL , 1966. Grenetta met Mr. Redding,.JPG
Exhibit 185 - Grenetta remembers seeing Aretha Franklin and Otis Redding, at different times, standing in the family living room near the dinning room passageway of the House, talking to her father..jpg
Exhibit 186- Both Ms. Franklin and Mr. Redding entered into the living room through the Den door and then into the passageway to dinning room. Grenetta met them both..JPG
Exhibit 187 - An autographed picture of Otis Redding along with autographs of the singers who performed with him the night he stopped by the House. Grenetta met Otis Redding at the House..JPG
Exhibit 188 -Young Patti Labelle and the Blue Bells plus Johnny Nash-year 1966. They performed on stage at the Otis Redding concert. Same night. 1966.JPG
Exhibit 189 - Gladys Knight and the Pips performed with Otis Redding at his concert. 1966. Also, Clay Tyson. Grenetta also, went to the concert..JPG
Exhibit 190 - Marvin is pointing to his father's, Willie McKinstry, name on a monument in historic Kelly Ingram Park..JPG
Exhibit 191 -Willie McKinstry is seen interacting with the black audience. The Birminham black community love Willie McKinstry and he loved the black community..jpg
Exhibit 192- Willie McKinstry was a Deacon at New Pilgrim Baptist Church and a member of the Public Relation's Staff..JPG
Exhibit 193- Article in the WJLD News Extra-WJLD celebrates 30 years of community service. In 1971, Willie was chairman of the WJLD Church Cash Campaign ,which gave about $4,200 yearly to black churches in B'ham..JPG
Exhibit 194- -Willie McKinstry received many awards from the Birmingham Community. This is one of them -The Bethleham House-The Blind-year 1973.jpg
Exhibit 195-Award-Birmingham Weekly Review- 1952-Public Service Award-Willie McKinstry.JPG
Exhibit 196 - Recognition Award 1967-1968-IN RECOGNITION OF OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR CHURCH; Signed -N.H. Smith, Jr., Pastor, New Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church..JPG
Exhibit 197 - Another Willie McKinstry Award. This time from Lawson State for community service..JPG
Exhibit 198 -Willie McKinstry and wife. There were two radio stations that had predominantly black audiences in Birmingham. WJLD and WENN.jpg
Exhibit 199 -Larry Hayes, manager of WENN radio station, presents Willie McKinstry a 30 years of sevice award. From l-r- McKinstry, other person, Larry Hayes..JPG
Exhibit 200 - Award-Faith College-Honorary Doctorate-1977.JPG
Exhibit 201 - Willie McKinstry receives a merit award from Pi Lambda Sigma in the area of RADIO AND PUBLIC RELATIONS..JPG
Exhibit 202 - Award-Willie -Deacon- McKinstry 1978- Announcer's Guild-Post Humous..JPG
Exhibit 203 - In 1971, Deacon Willie McKinstry was reported to have the LONGEST RECORD of any person in the broadcasting industry of continuous on-the-air work and community service..jpg
Exhibit 98 - Thomas Jefferson Hotel. Grenetta worked here as an elevator operator. Under Alabama segregation, blacks could work at white-only hotels but could not stay as a guest of the hotel..JPG
Exhibit 204 - Willie McKinstry was frequently the Master of Ceremony (MC) at many events held at A.G. Gaston Building or Churches. He many times was upfront awarding MONEY to churches. Do you know any of them..JPG
Exhibit 205 - Willie McKinstry making a presentation to Carlton Reece and choir..JPG
Exhibit 206 -Another choir celebrates with Willie McKinstry. This time, Willie McKinstry is receiving the award, from WENN..JPG
Exhibit 207 - Another choir being celebrated- Pink robes and a young man playing drums on stage. Willie McKinstry is in audience, front row, encouraging as he enjoys the choir's performance..JPG
Exhibit 208 - An all male choir in the asile. white robes with red banners.jpg
Exhibit 209 - Young People's group on stage with Willie McKinstry.jpg
Exhibit 210 - On Willie McKinstry day, when church groups honored him, it is estimated that more than five thousand persons attended to pay their respect. Mr. & Mrs Mckinstry together in aisle.jpg
Exhibit 211 - Willie McKinstry and A.G. Gaston walking down the aisle together at Willie McKinstry Day celebration..jpg
Exhibit 212 - Willie McKinstry and A.G. Gastion shake hands as Gaston leaves the McKinstry Day celebration. His chaufeur is opening the door for Mr. Gaston..jpg
Exhibit 213 - For over 30 years , Deacon Willie McKinstry used his talents and the airwaves to comfort the shut-ins, to encourage religious singing groups & individuals to use their talent for God, and to help people..jpg
Exhibit 214 - Muscular dystrophy -Iron Lung Advervisment. The DEACON always out front when it came to helping self-help organizations,like Telethon of Muscular Dystrophy..jpg
Exhibit 215 - Self-help organizations Willie McKinstry (sitting), helped; Children's Vllage, United Negro College Fund, Youth Develpoment, Inc., Help One Another Club, 4th Ave. YMCA, Miles College, BBBC and many others.jpg
Exhibit 216 - Willie McKinstry was truly a broadcast pioneer and a very remarkable black man during his adult life in the state of Alabama..jpg
Exhibit 217- Willie McKinstry was a strong supporter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, SCLC, and their eforts in Birmingham, AL, to break down the barrier of segregation..JPG
InkedExhibit 218 - The Museum received 501(c)3 status from the IRS. The IRS designated the Museum a PUBLIC CHARITY. Donations to the Museum are tax deductible._LI.jpg
Exhibit 219 - This ends part I of the McKinstry Family Museum online tour. There is much, much more to come. Please come back and enjoy the Museum's Exhibits..jpg
Exhibit 220 - Dr. Grenetta McKinstry, one of the founders of the Museum has over 1000 exhibits in her personal collection, which she is loaning to the Museum for display..JPG
Exhibit 221 - The posting of new exhibits on this Museum website will be announced by email, the Museum's Facebook page or this website..JPG
This online tour tells the story of the McKinstry family who began their lives living under the darkness of segregation in Birmingham, AL, SURVIVED, then moved into the light of integration..JPG
WELCOME TO THE MCKINSTRY FAMILY MUSEUM ONLINE TOUR - Let's Get Started!.jpg
Exhibit IA - Meet the McKinstry Family- sitting l-r- Doris, Jacqueline, Grenetta, Shirley, Standing l-r- Marvin, Willie G. (mother), Melvin.JPG
Exhibit 1B - Meet Willie D. McKinstry (father).jpg
Exhibit 3 -Sadly, between 1956-2006, the years this museum covers, three family members died..jpg
Exhibit 3B - Dr. Willie D. McKinstry (Willie McKinstry), husband of Willie G. and father of the 9 McKinstry children covered in this online tour. This is his obituary program.JPG
Exhibit 3C - This is Wilma, oldest McKinstry daughter and mother to Venita and Ralph. Wilma died while giving birth to her 3rd child, Djuana..JPG
Exhibit 3D - This is Jacqueline McKinstry Picket who died. She was the McKinstry's 3rd oldest daughter. This is her obituary program..JPG
Exhibit 4 - The McKinstry Family House (House), home to the McKinstry family for over 50 years..JPG
Exhibit 5 - Mailbox showing 2236 as the House's CITY address. The Original COUNTY address, year 1956, when the McKinsry's moved in, was r Rd 1 Box 410.JPG
Exhibit 6 - On February 12, 2015, the house received Alabama Historical Landmark Status. The name, MCKINSTRY FAMILY HOUSE. was designated by the state of Alabama..JPG
Exhibit 6B - Letter received from the State of Alabama..JPG
Exhibit 7 -Grenetta standing in Marvin's yard before trip to Birmingham, AL, December 2014, to do research on the House..JPG
Exhibit 8 - Marvin standing in his yard before trip to Birmingham, AL. December 2014, to do research on the House..JPG
Exhibit 12 -Another image of City Directory Librarian helping Marvin with research on the House..JPG
Exhibit 12B - Another Image of librarian helping Marvin with his research on the House..JPG
Exhibit 13 - Grenetta at machine looking through city directory, EXHAUSTED. It took a lot of time finding the right information on the House..JPG
Exhibit 14 - Library microfilm results (2) (3). SUCCESS! Thanks to the employees at the Birmingham Public Library who helped Grenetta and Marvin with their research on the House, December 2014..JPG
Exhibit 15 - Grenetta and Marvin (Founders) at desk (6-19-2015) in Birminham, AL, getting Museum approved for inside of the House..JPG
Exhibit 16 - Grenetta is signing Alabama legal documents attached to founding the Museum..JPG
Exhibit 17 - List of permanent residents in the house during segregation. Willie G. McKinstry wrote the list in her own handwriting. Venita and Ralph were later adopted after the list was written..JPG
Exhibit 18 - American Flag, symbol of freedom. However, RACIAL SEGREGATION in America. refers to segregation of facilities, services, housing, medical care, education, employment, transportation along racial lines..JPG
Exhibit 19 - To the McKinstry family, segregation meant the leagally and socialy ENFORCED seperation of black families from whites in all ares of life..JPG
Exhibit 21 -The neighborhood surrounding the McKinstry house has been in existance for over 50 years. It's historic. Shirley by maroon car. The outside architecture of the houses is basically the same for over 50 yrs..JPG
Exhibit 22 - True, there have been some changes. The corner McKinstry family neighborhood grocery store is gone. A street sign & fire hydrant marks the spot where the corner grocery store was located..JPG
Exhibit 23 - A few of the community houses have been torn down or burned down. Ex.-Annie Pearl's (Willie Mays' half sister) lot showing beige Plant growth.JPG
Exhibit 24 - Image of Annie Pearl's lot, 3 lot's up from McKinstry Family House.JPG
Exhibit 25- The McKinstry family neighborhood gas station that was near the railroad track is gone..jpg
Exhibit 26 - Yet, some of the houses in the old neighborhood are still there-Mrs. Lula's house next door to McKinstry Family House. White truck in front yard..JPG
Exhibit 27 - The Hardy's and Mrs. Berry's houses across the street from McKinstry Family House are still there. Mrs. Lutisha's house is also, still there. She is dead, but the house is occupied.JPG
Exhibit 28 - Henry Compton Drive leads into a suburb called Powderly Hills. In 1963, it was an all black suburb..JPG
Exhibit 29 - The historic railroad track is still there and functional. It was there in 1956, when the McKinstry's moved in the House..jpg
Exhibit 30 - The historic Birmingham-Easonian Baptist Bible College (BBBC), founded in 1904, is still there, located 0.22 miles north of the House..jpg
Exhibit 32 - The McKinstry family, like other familes under segregation, had to endure signs like this, placed in a restaurant window in Lancaster, Ohio in 1938. It says, WE CATER TO WHITE TRADE ONLY..JPG
Exhibit 34 -Another sign showing segregation - Sign for COLORED waiting room at a Greyhound bus terminal in Rome, Georgia, 1943..JPG
Exhibit 33 - Segregation History - A black man drinks from a COLORED drinking fountain in Oklahoma City (1939).JPG
Exhibit 36- Two of the McKinstry daughters. (Sitting l-r- Grenetta, Jacqueline.) were involved in the Birmingham 1963 Civil Rights Movement. Standing is McKinstry daughter, Doris..jpg
Exhibit 35 - Martin Luther King, Jr. in April 1963, wrote from the Birmingham jail, -BIRMINGHAM IS PROBABLY THE MOST SEGREGATED CITY IN THE UNITED STATES..JPG
Exhibit 37 - Often in 1963, a mass of peaceful black demonstrators gathered outside 16th Street Baptist Church.JPG
Exhibit 38 - John F. Kennedy (JFK) was president in 1963, during the Birmingham Civil Rights Movement.JPG
Exhibit 39 - Willie G. McKinstry, mother. In 1963 drove her daughters to Civil Rights meetings at 16th Street Baptist Church..JPG
Exhibit 40 - Rosa Parks being fingerprinted by deputy sheriff D. H. Lackey after arrest for boycotting public transportation. 12-01-1955..JPG
Exhibit 41 - Birmingham city streets around 16th Street Baptist Church. The notorius public Safety commissioner, T. Eugene BULL Connor, vowed he would enforce law and order at any cost on the streets of Birmingham.JPG
Exhibit 42 -On April 10, 1963, Grenetta and a friend, Cynthia, volunteered to become the 1st children to peacefully protest during the 1963 Civil Rights Movement..jpg
Exhibit 43- -Grenetta picketing with sign in front of Trailway's bus station. Al Hibler leads the picket line..JPG
Exhibit 44 - The Birmingham police commissioner, Eugene (Bull) Connor is seen instructing the picketers. Grenetta is picketer #8 in line, wearing white socks and tennis.JPG
Exhibit 46 - Increased facial image of Grenetta only pulled from the picketing Exhibit 42..JPG
Exhibit 45- Increased image of Grenetta and Cynthia pulled from Exhbit 42. Grenetta has on white socks and tennis shoes..JPG
Exhibit 46B - a facial recognition photo of young Grenetta to compare to Grenetta's facial image pulled from exhibit 42. Both images are of Grenetta..JPG
Exhibit 47 - Increased image of Bull Connor (suit) talking to a police officer. Image pulled from exhibit 42..JPG
Exhibit 48 - Grenetta had a brief respite at McKinstry Family House before she marched in Birmingham a 2nd time. This time in May 1963. Image of N. side of House, woods, and Car port-.JPG
Exhibit 49 -Word had gotten out for students to demonstate. This is a children's monument in Kelly Ingram Park, near a sign that says, GET UP, STAND UP, STAND UP FOR YOUR RIGHTS..jpg
Exhibit 50 The # of students demonstrating was so large, juvenile hall and city jail could not hold them all -I AIN'T AFRAID OF YOUR JAIL. Grenetta in middle of student monument in Kelly Ingram Park..JPG
Exhibit 51-Many students left school and marched as part of the protest. Students of all ages participated.JPG
Exhibit 52-- They housed Grenetta and many of the students at the Birmingham fairgrounds. Grenetta sat on the floor with other girls from Ullman High School that she knew.jpg
Exhibit 53 - The girls sat on the floor and talked. They were given food. But, the FLOOR was their bed. Grenetta sat on the floor with other girls from Ullman High that she knew..JPG
Exhibit 54 - There were many students packed together at the fairgrounds. Grenetta saw no crying, no fighting, just bravery. Students united for a common cause..jpg
Exhibit 55 - President John F. Kennedy in civil rights speech, 6-11-1963, said; NO CITY OR STATE BODY CAN PRUDENTLY CHOOSE TO IGNORE THEM. This refered to the 1963 children demonstrators..JPG
Exhibit 56 - Celebration erupts after the 13th amendment is passed by the House of Representatives. Harper's Weekly. February 18, 1863..JPG
Exhibit 57 - This is Gordon, a former slave, who had scars all over his back due to beatings by his former plantation master. Some atrocities are so shameful they should-NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN-in USA history..JPG
Exhibit 58 -Image of Ullman High School as it appeared in 1910 in the Birmingham De Luxe book. There were no school facilities at the fairgrounds. The students were from many different black-schools across B'ham..JPG
Exhibit 59 - Jacqueline, who attended Parker High School, walked-out with the students from Parker. This is Jacqueline's Police record-B'ham Public Library Archives. Note the details..jpg
Exhibit 60 -Note reads; I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT MANY JUVENILE RECORDS WERE DESTROYED AT THE REQUEST OF PARENTS AND LAWYERS. signed -JIM BAGGETT. Archives found no arrest record for Grenetta & Shirley.JPG
Exhibit 61-For her part in the April 10, 1963 picketing, Grenetta and her mother appeared before a white- judge in his chambers. She had a black- female lawyer. In the end, all charges were dropped..jpg
Exhibit 62 - Shirley, much older, had two black-lawyers. Shirley's case will be discussed later in this online tour..JPG
Exhibit 63 -Grenetta at the top of the steps of 16th Street Baptist Church, above Basement entrance where Grenetta was voted vice president of student movement at a meeting in the basement. Tommy Wren voted pres..JPG
Exhibit 64 -Grenetta standing outside basement, 16th Street Baptist Church where she was voted vice president & Tommy Wren voted president of student demonstrators, April-May 1963..JPG
Exhibit 65 -Probably, most of the hundreds of students who demonstrated in April-May 1963, did not know they had a Pres. & Vice Pres. They just demonstrated, got arrested and went to jail. They are to be admired..JPG
Exhibit 66 - Grenetta on 08-28-1963, demonstrated in the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Here are other demonstrators in Washington at the March on Washington 1963..JPG
Exhibit 67 - Two black men with March on Washington sign. Grenetta went to Washington. Ms. Tish, an elderly lady, who Grenetta's mother trusted, served as her chaperone. Grenetta was still 15 years old..JPG
Exhibit 68 - Ms. Tish House was so close to the McKinstry Family House that it can be seen through the McKinstry's Den window-..JPG
Exhibit 69 -Section of Historic Kelly Ingram Park. Grenetta's mother drove her and Ms. Tish to the Washington, D.C. charter bus departure location in Kelly Ingram Park and picked them up when they returned..JPG
Exhibit 70 -Mrs. Fannie Mae and daughter Barbara. Grenetta was in Selma, AL, on the night of the Celebrity concert. She was chaperoned by Mrs. Fannie Mae and her husband, Willie, who drove them to the concert..jpg
Exhibit 71 - Nipsy Russell was on the Selma, AL, celebrity bus. Grenetta passed by the bus. Mr. Russell playfully smiled & winked his eye at her. Mr. Russell performed at a concert for the Selma protestors..JPG
Exhibit 72 - Other celebrities performed with Mr. Russell at the Selma Concert. Dick Gregory was rumored to be one of them. Grenetta standing by monument of 1st black-man killed in World War II- Kelly Ingram Park..JPG
Exhibit 74 - Birmingham Foot Soldier monument in Kelly Ingram Park. St. Augustine, FL, also, has a Foot Soldier monument, dedicated May 14, 2011..JPG
Exhibit 75 - The Foot Soldier reunion brochure and envelope addressed to Grenetta.JPG
Exhibit 76 - Even with all the civil rights activity in which Grenetta participated, she managed to graduate from Ullman High School in the top 10 of her graduating class, January 1965..JPG
Exhibit 77 - 1966 Stillmanite Year Book. Grenetta also, received a tuition scholarship to Stillman College, one of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).jpg
Exhibit 73- Grenetta (here) marched in St. Augustine, Fl., and spent 2 wks. in jail in a holding cell with other female demonstrators. The women were never mixed with the general prison population..jpg
Exhibit 78-All the McKinstry Children were born as segregation loomed over the city of Birmingham. Wilma, Shirley, Melvin, Jacqueline, and Marvin were all born at home, not in a hospital..jpg
Exhibit 79 - Grenetta was born in a hospital ELEVATOR, not a hospital bed. Her mother was paid $5.00 for her inconvenience. Hospitals that catered to Blacks during SEGREGATION were not that good. - Just say SHE'S UNIQUE!.jpg
Exhibit 80 - Youngest McKinstry daughter, Venita. Born in 1961. Adopted by the McKinstry parents after their oldest daughter, Wilma, Venita's mother, died giving child birth to her third child, Djuana..JPG
Exhibit 80B- Youngest McKinstry son, Ralph. Born in 1963. Adopted by the McKinstry Parents after their oldest daughter, Wilma, Ralph's mother, died giving childbirth to her third child, Djuana..JPG
Exhibit 81- Young Djuana, born to Wilma, oldest daughter of Willie D. McKinstry. Wilma died giving childbirth to Djuana. Djuana was adopted at birth by Willie D. McKinstry's sister, Annie Mae, Birmingham, AL..JPG
Exhibit 82 - Djuana as adult. While growing up, the 3 siblings (Venita, Ralph, Djuana, all birthed by Wilma) kept in close contact with each other and are now (2019) very close..JPG
Exhibit 83 - Lynching of six African Americans in Georgia. -Count the number of ropes.- De Jure segregation mandated the separation of races by law , and was the form imposed by slave codes before the Civil War..JPG
Exhibit 84 - De Jure segregation was outlawed by the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Here is Robert F. Kennedy speaking to civil rights activists in front of the Justice Department on June 14, 1963 (7).JPG
Exhibit 85 - Segregation laws were strictly followed in the city of Birmingham until the 1960s civil rights activities in Alabama. The Rex Theatre in MS. 1937, shows how widespread segregation was in the South..JPG
Exhibit 86- A Jim Crow Cartoon Bus showing how blacks were not treated equally. The sign above the 1st bus says -CAR FOR WHITE FOLKS - The crumpled bus is for blacks- jim crow car.JPG
Exhibit 87- The Birmingham city transit buses, during segregation, looked similar to this one. There were two doors, front and side. Here is the bus Rosa Parks was riding when she refused to give up her seat..JPG
Exhibit 88 -One never knew when the bus would be full and a black person would have to give up their seat to a white person. Same bus fare. Inferior treatment for blacks. Not good. Segregation had to be eliminated.JPG
Exhibit 90 - Shirley recalls an incident on a city bus one Saturday in 1963. She and a friend, D. Nelson, boarded and paid their fair. They then were told to get off the bus, enter the rear door. Nelson refused..JPG
Exhibit 89 - Under segregation,blacks paid the same bus fair as whites, but were discriminated against and treated unfairly by making blacks give up their seats on the bus to a white person..JPG
Exhibit 92- When the Birmingham police arrived, the bus driver told the police that there were TWO NIGGERS on the bus being disordely. They were both taken off the bus and written-up for disorderly conduct..JPG
Exhibit 93 -Shirley and Ms. D. Nelson did not go to jail at the time, but Shirley had to appear in court two or three times because of the incident..JPG
Exhibit 94 - Arthur Shores & Arzell Billingsley, two black attorneys represented Shirley. On the last time Shirley attended court for the incident, the case was thrown out of court. She has no criminal record..JPG
Exhibit 95 - What happened to Shirley and her friend, Ms. D. Nelson, is just another example of the way things were before the civil rights movement in 1963..jpg
Exhibit 96 - Lynching of one black man. De facto segregation or segregation IN FACT is segregation existing without sanction of the law. Example; Blacks and whites living together in the same house was forbidden..JPG
Exhibit 97 - Grenetta worked at the Thomas Jefferson Hotel during De Facto segregation in Birmingham, AL. She was an elevator operator. Blacks could work at these white-only hotels, but not stay there as a guest..jpg
Exhibit 99 - Grenetta's Ullman High School diploma. Grenetta graduated from Ullman, January 1965. So to occupy her time before college, September 1965, Grenetta took the job at the Thomas Jefferson Hotel..JPG
Exhibit 1C - Meet Wilma (oldest daughter).JPG
Exhibit 1D - Meet Venita (daughter of Wilma).JPG
Exhibit 1E - Meet Ralph (Wilma's son).JPG
Ehibit 31- Segregation History-Bodies of three men lynched in Georgia, May 1892..JPG
Exhibit 100 -CONGRATULATIONS DEACON WILLIE MCKINSTRY-marque. In 1963, the only black-owned hotel-motel in Birmingham, AL, was the A.G. Gaston Motel, owned by A.G. Gaston, the first black millionaire in the South..JPG
Exhibit 102 - Willie McKinstry standing in front of A. G. Gaston Restaurant & Motel-34 years of service on radio.jpg
Exhibit 103- Mildred and Richard Loving, interaccial Couple. Landmark Supreme Court case that wiped away state laws banning interracial marriage in the United States in 1967..JPG
Exhibit 104 - On July 11, 1958, newlyweds Richard and Mildred Loving were asleep in bed when three armed police officers burst into their room. They were thrown in jail, all for the crime of getting married..jpg
Exhibit 105 - In June of 1967, the Supreme Court ruled that laws prohibiting interracial marriage were unconstitutional..JPG
Exhibit 106 - Zion Memorial Gardens, in 1963, was a black-only cemetary. Prior to 1970, blacks and whites were buried separately in different cemetaries in Birmingham, AL. Office buildings..JPG
Exhibit 107 - This is another section of Zion Memorial Gardens Cemetary (black-only during segregation). In 1963, there was also, a white-only cemetary, Elmwood Cemetary..JPG
Exhibit 108 -Zion Memorial Gardens grave site (black-ony in 1963). Many who drove past Johns-Ridout 's Mortuary-Elmwood Chapel in 1963, watched numerous white-only funerals and-or burials being proudly held there..JPG
Exhibit 110 - Denise McNair, a black female (1 of 4 bombing victims when 16th Street Baptist Church was bombed) was exhumed from ShadowLawn Memorial Park to Elmwood Cemetary by her parents in August 2007..JPG
Exhibit 111- Another famous black person buried in Elmwood Cemetary is Eddie Kendricks (3rd singer from the left) of the Temptations (1939-1992).JPG
Exhibit 112- How does Elmwood Cemetary connect to the McKinstry Family. Answer-McKinstry daughter, JACQUELINE, a black female is buried there..jpg
Exhibit 113 - Jacqueline, a black-female, a 1963 Birmingham Civil Rights Foot-Soldier, a McKinstry, is now buried in once white-only Elmwood Cemetary. Her demonstrating in 1963 paid off. Bravo Jacqueline! RIP..jpg
Exhibit 114 - Willie McKinstry is buried at Zion Memorial Gardens. His burial location is accessible to his admiring public and family. Daughter, Grenetta is standing between Willie D. and wife, Willie G. Mckinstry.JPG
Exhibit 115 - Image of the Carver Theater. Birmingham sgregation ordinances dictated that all movie theatres be segregated in 1963. Birmingham had only one black movie theatre, THE CARVER THEATRE, on 4th Avenue.JPG
Exhibit 116- Image of the Alabama theatre, a white-only movie theatre in Birmimgham, AL, 1963.JPG
Exhibit 117 - Image of young Marvin McKinstry. He remembers ALABAMA theatre did not allow blacks admission during segregation years in Birmingham..JPG
Exhibit 118 - Dean Rice with wife and Young daughter, Condeleezza. Reverand Rice was Dean of Students at Stillman College & former Guidance Counselor at Ullman High..JPG
Exhibit 119- Grenetta remembers going to the Empire theater in Birmingham to see GOLDFINGER. The theatre admitted blacks but she had to sit in the balcony..JPG
Exhibit 120 - Image of Eleanor Roosevelt with some of her minority female friends. She championed many civil rights activities. See exhibit 120 LEGEND for more information..JPG
Exhibit 121 - Eleanor Roosevelt, former first lady. While at a Southern Conference for Human Welfare meeting in Birmingham,AL, in 1938, defied Bull Connor's order not to SEGREGATE TOGETHER. No mixing of races..JPG
Exhibit 122 - Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of former President Franklin D. Roosevelt , is the most famous white-female ever to become a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, a predominantly black-female sorority.JPG
Exhibit 123- How does Eleanor Roosevelt connect to the McKinstry family. Answer- daughter, GRENETTA, is also, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Sorority. She joined the Delta Sigma chapter at , Stillman College, 1966.jpg
Exhibit 124 - Powderly Elementary School, grades 1-8. 100% black students during segregation. Principal A.C. Dickerson. Marvin & Grenetta attended. All teachers were black same as the principal.JPG
Exhibit 125 - Bell Lyre- instrument Grenetta McKinstry played in the Powderly Elementary School marching band during segregation years. Marvin played the trumpet..JPG
Exhibit 126 - Neighborhood street near Powderly Elementary School where Grenetta and Marvin's marching band, most likely, practiced..JPG
Exhibit 127 - A section of Powderly Elementary. Unfortunately, when the school caught fire, the room containing the school instruments was completely destroyed along with the instruments within..JPG
Exhibit 128 - Playground section of Powderly Elementary school, Year 2014. No playground equipment was there 1953-1961. Marvin and Grenetta graduated 8th grade, before the band instruments they played could be replaced.JPG
Exhibit 129 - Ullman High School 30 year Class reunion, Class of 1965. Marvin and Grenetta, attended Ullman High (black-only during segregation). Grenetta is 2nd row. Standing. #12 from l-r. Center of line..JPG
Exhibit 130 - White supremacists bombed 16th Street Baptist Church in 1963. The bomb exploded under the church steps. 4 little girls killed. Cynthia Wesley often hung around Grenetta's high school class at lunch ..JPG
Exhibit 131 - The 4 girls killed in the bombing (clockwise from top left)-Addie Mae Collins (14),Cynthia Wesley (14), Carole Robertson (14), and Carol Denise McNair (11)..JPG
Exhibit 132 - At the funeral of three of the girls (all held at the same time), right before they were laid to rest Dr. King made this speech- THIS TRAGIC DAY MAY CAUSE THE WHITE SIDE TO COME TO .....JPG
Exhibit 133 - Cynthia Wesley attended Ullman High School. Cynthia sometimes hung around Grenetta's class during lunch period..JPG
Exhibit 134. Grenetta's class members were a grade ahead of Cynthia, but she liked to hang around the girls in her class at lunch time. Here demonstrators protesting the bombing. Sign says-NO MORE BIRMINGHAM..JPG
Exhibit 135 - Weakage. A.G. Gaston Motel following bomb explosion May 11, 1963. Between 1957-1963, 17 bombings of black churches and homes of black leaders in B'ham occurred. City nicknamed, BOMBINGHAM..JPG
Exhibit 136 -Under segregation, all churches were racially segregated in Birmingham, AL. Each race had their own set of churches. Blacks and whites were not allowed to pray together in church. Forbidden by law..JPG
Exhibit 137 - Marvin outside Historic New Pilgrim Baptist Church. The McKinstry family's church in 1963, segregation years..JPG
Exhibit 101 - A.G. Gaston standing on stage, A.G. Gaston Building. Gaston was a self -made Millionaire and local business-man. He owned in 1963, many black-only businesses . Willie McKinstry is standing behind..jpg
Exhibit 138. Grenetta and Shirley sang in the New Pilgrim church choir. Mrs. Elsaw seen here receiving an award from Willie McKinstry (right) was Grenetta's youth choir directress..JPG
Exhibit 139- Doris-was also, active in church. Here is young Doris speaking at podium. Her father sitting on stage with crown on his head. Church activity..JPG
Exhibit 140 - Doris and other McKinstry children were baptised at Historic New Pilgram Baptist Church. Note minister signature, Nelson H. Smtih, Jr.JPG
Exhibit 141 - Willie G., wife of Willie D. McKinstry, also, did much community service work. The BBBC alumni association awarded her for her work with the BBBC by giving her this award..JPG
Exhibit 142 - Powderly, AL, black-female beauty competition during segregation (contest was ca. late 1950s-early 1960s) and was held at the BBBC. Jacqueline was a contestant..jpg
Exhibit 143 -Jacqueline McKinstry won 2nd place. She competed against an array of beautiful black females from Powderly, Alabama..jpg
Exhibit 144 - Jacqueline's future husband , George (Prez) is seen standing behind her. The couple eventually married & had two sons..jpg
Exhibit 145 - Another event that the McKinstry children enkoyed was vacation bible school held 2 weeks during the summer on the BBBC, original building, steps, outside. A local church conducted the classes..jpg
Exhibit 146 -Original building of the Birmingham Baptist Bible College (BBBC). The steps of the building (white section) was where the summer-vacation bible school the McKinstry children attended was held..JPG
Exhibit 147 - Under segregation, some of the department stores in Birmingham, AL (large and small), that sold clothes, would not let blacks try-on the clothes prior to purchasing. This was not so for white-purchasers.jpg
Exhibit 148 - If a black person wanted a clothing item, they had to buy it outright, without trying it on. Not so for white purchasers. Also, the clothes blacks purchased could not be returned. Not so for whites..jpg
Exhibit 149- Segregation can also manifest itself as the separation of roles within an institution..jpg
Exhibit 150 - In 1963, city population of almost 350,000 with 60% white & 40% black, B'ham had no black police officers, firefighters, bus drivers, bank tellers or store cashiers..jpg
Exhibit 151 - Melvin McKinstry in front yard. Jobs available to black workers were limited to manual labor in segregated Birmingham.JPG
Exhibit 152 - Willie McKinstry was a trailblazer of black radio and television (TV) broadcasting. He was the FIRST BLACK local radio and TV broadcaster in Birmingham, AL..JPG
Exhibit 153 - Willie McKinstry rose from very humble beginnings. In 1955, his school principal wrote a letter describing his hardships starting with the year 1929 (Great Depression).JPG
Exhibit 154 - Mrs. Mary Stith-Nations , described how Willie had to quit school in the 10th grade and go to work in the CC Camps. Segregation combined with the Great Depression was a hardship.JPG
Exhibit 155 - Willie McKinstry's father was physically incapacitated at the time, so he had to become the bread-winner for his family and help support his mother and sisters. The Great Depression (October 1929).jpg
Exhibit 156- Amazingly, against all odds, by 1978, Willie McKinstry, a black man, had become Assistant General Manager for Johnston Broadcasting Company, white-owned.JPG
Exhibit 157 - Willie McKinstry began his radio career in 1939 at WHMA (AM radio) Anniston at the height of segregation in the South. At that time it was not easy for a black man to break into a career in radio..JPG
Exhibit 158 -In the early 40s, Willie McKinstry switched to WJLD radio station. All broadcasters at WJLD were white when Willie started. He sang well, which greatly helped him..JPG
Exhibit 159 - In 1943, WJLD, one of four white-owned radio stations in Alabama, began selling airtime to people who sang or played Urban Contemporary Gospel Music instruments..JPG
Exhibit 160-Willie McKinstry was in local commercials for black-owned businesses. Here is Willie McKinstry in Nelson Piano advertisement..JPG
Exhibit 161 - In 1944, a gospel singing group organized by Willie McKinstry called Kelley Choral Singers became the FIRST black gospel singing group to perform LIVE on WJLD radio station. 1944-1949.jpg
Exhibit 162- The advent of RADIO in the 1920s greatly increased the audience for gospel music. Major entertainment- Great Depression..JPG
Exhibit 163- In the 1930s a wave of gospel groups developed out of the CC Camps, steel mill and coal mining communities of Jefferson County. Willie McKinstry came out of the CC Camps..jpg
Exhibit 164- Willie McKinstry and group can still be heard today on YouTube. Here is his 45 record, MY GOD IS REAL. - Von record label out of Detroit..JPG
Exhibit 165 - By 1946, Willie McKinstry had manuevered his way into becoming an intregal part of the WJLD family. He sang gospel songs and MC'd on Sunday. In 1954, WJLD began exclusively targeting black listeners.jpg
Exhibit 166 -Willie McKinstry spinning records. A significant turning point in radio during segregation. Image was taken at WJLD..JPG
Exhibit 167 - In 1956, a well-known local vocalist Ennis Bragg, brought his, Golden Hummingbirds, gospel singers on McKinstry's Saturday evening show for the first time..JPG
Exhibit 168 - WJLD envelope addressed to Willie McKinstry. In 1958, Alma Johnson (Colin Powell's wife. Colin Powell 1st black secretary of State under George W. Bush) had a woman's noon show on WJLD..JPG
Exhibit 169- Willie McKinstry had many local, national and international celebrity friends and assoociates. Some of them came to visit him at McKinstry Family House. A. G. Gaston, left, & Willie at Doris' wedding..JPG
Exhibit 170- Norman B. Wooding, Jr. (sang with Kelly Choral Singers, MacMillan Jubilee Singers, Birmingham Travelers, Host of the Gospel Unity Hour on WJLD).jpg
Exhibit 171- In 1963, Reverend N.H. Smith was pastor of historic New Pilgrim Baptist Church, 6th avenue S. location..jpg
Exhibit 172 - Willie McKinstry in the Den at home. Some of his awards can be seen displayed above his head. The Den and living room served to entertain and converse with those who came to visit..JPG
Exhibit 173- In addition to radio, Willie McKinstry was the FIRST local, black man or woman, to do a TV commercial live on Birmingham TV. Here he is standing above an ANALOG TV that his family watched in Den at home..JPG
Exhibit 174- A small analog TV similar to the one Grenetta used to watch Willie McKinstry do his 1st LIVE, local TV commercial, Satuday night, Channel 13, during Saturday night LIVE wrestling show.JPG
Exhibit 175-- ORIGINAL dresser on which the small TV sat (ca.1956-1960) broadcasting Willie McKinstry's 1st TV commercial. It was very exciting to see him, a black man, on segregated local TV.JPG
Exhibit 177- Willie McKinstry on segregated Birmingham TV was a big deal. No local blacks were on segregated TV in Birmingham like in modern times..jpg
Exhibit 178-- Gregg Morris, star of the original Mission Impossible show, came to Birmingham and Willie McKinstry was responsible for chaperoning him around town..JPG
Exhibit 179 - Willie McKinstry was often asked to be a chaperone for celebrities visiting Birmingham, AL. Do you know this celebrity golfer ( ca. 1970)-.JPG
Exhibit 180- Willie McKinstry did a photo-op with Nat King Cole on April 10, 1956. Later on Mr. Cole was attacked by white supremacists on stage during a performance at the Municipal Auditorium- Boutwell..jpg
Exhibit 181 - Marvin standing by Boutwell sign of Nat King Cole. He performed there on April 10, 1956, segregation years. Boutwell used to be called Municipal Auditorium..JPG
Exhibit 182- Willie McKinstry was also friends with Sam Cooke, singer, when he sang with the Soul Stirrers Gospel Group..JPG
Exhibit 183 - Willie McKinstry was an associate of Jim Brown (former pro football player-actor). Note- photo with record sent to Willie..JPG
Exhibit 184 - Otis Redding visited Willie McKinstry at his House before he perormed at his concert in Birmingham, AL , 1966. Grenetta met Mr. Redding,.JPG
Exhibit 185 - Grenetta remembers seeing Aretha Franklin and Otis Redding, at different times, standing in the family living room near the dinning room passageway of the House, talking to her father..jpg
Exhibit 186- Both Ms. Franklin and Mr. Redding entered into the living room through the Den door and then into the passageway to dinning room. Grenetta met them both..JPG
Exhibit 187 - An autographed picture of Otis Redding along with autographs of the singers who performed with him the night he stopped by the House. Grenetta met Otis Redding at the House..JPG
Exhibit 188 -Young Patti Labelle and the Blue Bells plus Johnny Nash-year 1966. They performed on stage at the Otis Redding concert. Same night. 1966.JPG
Exhibit 189 - Gladys Knight and the Pips performed with Otis Redding at his concert. 1966. Also, Clay Tyson. Grenetta also, went to the concert..JPG
Exhibit 190 - Marvin is pointing to his father's, Willie McKinstry, name on a monument in historic Kelly Ingram Park..JPG
Exhibit 191 -Willie McKinstry is seen interacting with the black audience. The Birminham black community love Willie McKinstry and he loved the black community..jpg
Exhibit 192- Willie McKinstry was a Deacon at New Pilgrim Baptist Church and a member of the Public Relation's Staff..JPG
Exhibit 193- Article in the WJLD News Extra-WJLD celebrates 30 years of community service. In 1971, Willie was chairman of the WJLD Church Cash Campaign ,which gave about $4,200 yearly to black churches in B'ham..JPG
Exhibit 194- -Willie McKinstry received many awards from the Birmingham Community. This is one of them -The Bethleham House-The Blind-year 1973.jpg
Exhibit 195-Award-Birmingham Weekly Review- 1952-Public Service Award-Willie McKinstry.JPG
Exhibit 196 - Recognition Award 1967-1968-IN RECOGNITION OF OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR CHURCH; Signed -N.H. Smith, Jr., Pastor, New Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church..JPG
Exhibit 197 - Another Willie McKinstry Award. This time from Lawson State for community service..JPG
Exhibit 198 -Willie McKinstry and wife. There were two radio stations that had predominantly black audiences in Birmingham. WJLD and WENN.jpg
Exhibit 199 -Larry Hayes, manager of WENN radio station, presents Willie McKinstry a 30 years of sevice award. From l-r- McKinstry, other person, Larry Hayes..JPG
Exhibit 200 - Award-Faith College-Honorary Doctorate-1977.JPG
Exhibit 201 - Willie McKinstry receives a merit award from Pi Lambda Sigma in the area of RADIO AND PUBLIC RELATIONS..JPG
Exhibit 202 - Award-Willie -Deacon- McKinstry 1978- Announcer's Guild-Post Humous..JPG
Exhibit 203 - In 1971, Deacon Willie McKinstry was reported to have the LONGEST RECORD of any person in the broadcasting industry of continuous on-the-air work and community service..jpg
Exhibit 98 - Thomas Jefferson Hotel. Grenetta worked here as an elevator operator. Under Alabama segregation, blacks could work at white-only hotels but could not stay as a guest of the hotel..JPG
Exhibit 204 - Willie McKinstry was frequently the Master of Ceremony (MC) at many events held at A.G. Gaston Building or Churches. He many times was upfront awarding MONEY to churches. Do you know any of them..JPG
Exhibit 205 - Willie McKinstry making a presentation to Carlton Reece and choir..JPG
Exhibit 206 -Another choir celebrates with Willie McKinstry. This time, Willie McKinstry is receiving the award, from WENN..JPG
Exhibit 207 - Another choir being celebrated- Pink robes and a young man playing drums on stage. Willie McKinstry is in audience, front row, encouraging as he enjoys the choir's performance..JPG
Exhibit 208 - An all male choir in the asile. white robes with red banners.jpg
Exhibit 209 - Young People's group on stage with Willie McKinstry.jpg
Exhibit 210 - On Willie McKinstry day, when church groups honored him, it is estimated that more than five thousand persons attended to pay their respect. Mr. & Mrs Mckinstry together in aisle.jpg
Exhibit 211 - Willie McKinstry and A.G. Gaston walking down the aisle together at Willie McKinstry Day celebration..jpg
Exhibit 212 - Willie McKinstry and A.G. Gastion shake hands as Gaston leaves the McKinstry Day celebration. His chaufeur is opening the door for Mr. Gaston..jpg
Exhibit 213 - For over 30 years , Deacon Willie McKinstry used his talents and the airwaves to comfort the shut-ins, to encourage religious singing groups & individuals to use their talent for God, and to help people..jpg
Exhibit 214 - Muscular dystrophy -Iron Lung Advervisment. The DEACON always out front when it came to helping self-help organizations,like Telethon of Muscular Dystrophy..jpg
Exhibit 215 - Self-help organizations Willie McKinstry (sitting), helped; Children's Vllage, United Negro College Fund, Youth Develpoment, Inc., Help One Another Club, 4th Ave. YMCA, Miles College, BBBC and many others.jpg
Exhibit 216 - Willie McKinstry was truly a broadcast pioneer and a very remarkable black man during his adult life in the state of Alabama..jpg
Exhibit 217- Willie McKinstry was a strong supporter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, SCLC, and their eforts in Birmingham, AL, to break down the barrier of segregation..JPG
InkedExhibit 218 - The Museum received 501(c)3 status from the IRS. The IRS designated the Museum a PUBLIC CHARITY. Donations to the Museum are tax deductible._LI.jpg
Exhibit 219 - This ends part I of the McKinstry Family Museum online tour. There is much, much more to come. Please come back and enjoy the Museum's Exhibits..jpg
Exhibit 220 - Dr. Grenetta McKinstry, one of the founders of the Museum has over 1000 exhibits in her personal collection, which she is loaning to the Museum for display..JPG
Exhibit 221 - The posting of new exhibits on this Museum website will be announced by email, the Museum's Facebook page or this website..JPG
This online tour tells the story of the McKinstry family who began their lives living under the darkness of segregation in Birmingham, AL, SURVIVED, then moved into the light of integration..JPG
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