The McKinstry Family Museum (Museum) was located inside McKinstry Family House from 2015 to 2019. The Museum is now 100% online at this website. The Museum's new administrative address is: 1840 Ethel Avenue, Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama. The Museum's mailing address is still the same as it has been for four years: 2802 Treelodge Parkway, Sandy Springs, Georgia 30350-6062. See "Contact Us" above for any additional communication details.

About Us.

The McKinstry Family Museum (Museum) is the "first" African-American (Black) family museum founded in historic Birmingham, Alabama. The museum was founded on June 19, 2015, by Grenetta and Marvin Mckinstry, natural born brother and sister, children of Willie and Willie Gertrude Dowdell McKinstry. The museum is licensed in historic Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama. This online tour will tell the story of the McKinstry family who lived in the McKinstry Family House (House) between 1956 and 2006. The Museum focuses on the history of "one family" who rose from a cloud of segregation to achieve success under the sunshine of integration in a city that once was described as the most segregated city in America. That city was Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama in 1963. Join us and travel through the unique historic experiences of this one family by viewing vintage furniture, family artifacts, and photographic art.

This online tour tells a story. Therefore, an exhibit legends section is included to explain exhibits in more detail.

Some images may be subject to copyright protection. An exhibit copyright section is included. Credit for images and quotes is given where appropriate. Numbers in parentheses are reference locations. A reference section is included. The majority of the images (photographic art) herein are on loan to the Museum from Grenetta McKinstry's personal collection (c) 2019-2020.

There are three Museum Board members: Marvin McKinstry (Museum CEO and Board Vice President), Grenetta McKinstry (Museum CFO and Board President), Sharyn B. Taylor (Museum and Board Secretary and Birmingham Liason)

Notes:

1. African Americans during segregation years were called, "Blacks." This term is found in all reference and history books for the time period this tour covers. It is also, used in this online museum tour. It's not meant to be racist. It's meant to be accurate. That's the way history Museums should be, accurate, and tell the story about life as it was during the time period covered.

2. Except for celebrities or publicly famous people, single first names or last names only are used to protect the identity of "real people" existing during the time the museum covers.

3. In order to tell the complete story, some public images were used and intermingled with family images in order to provide a complete story of what happened during this time period in Alabama history. Credit has been given to the authors as much as possible. If anyone has been left out for credit, please contact the Museum. A contact us section has been included. Credit will be applied or image removed. Proof of image ownership must be verified.

4. If you copy any of the images that are "public domain," be sure to "credit" the individual who first posted the image. Everyone wants credit for his or her work. Example: Dorothea Lange • Public domain.

5. "All" of the personal images belonging to "Grenetta McKinstry (so noted)" cannot be copied without cost. Any money collected will be applied 100% towards operating cost to run the Museum. Grenetta McKinstry's personal collection are for "Museum" use only. Please respect the Museum's wishes. "Copyright" will be taken seriously.

6. If you have a question as to whether an exhibit is copyright protected or public domain, please check the "Exhibit Copyright" section on this website.

7. Lastly, thank you to everyone who made this museum website possible. You know who you are and the McKinstry Family Museum, Inc. thanks you.