Vulcan Statue - Vulcan Park and Museum

Vulcan Park and Museum

Vulcan Park and Museum (VPM) features spectacular views of Birmingham, an interactive history museum that examines Vulcan and Birmingham's story, a premier venue for private events and a beautiful 10-acre (4 ha) urban green space for visitors and locals to enjoy. Free wireless internet access is available on park grounds during park hours. In May 2007, Vulcan Park and Museum was designated an official Birmingham Information Center by the Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau and offers information on transportation services, restaurants, events and other cultural offerings in Birmingham.

Vulcan Center Museum: Vulcan Center Museum serves as the primary educational component of VPM and tells the story of Birmingham’s “magical” creation and storied past. Visitors learn about the discovery of three key ingredients that drove the growth of our region – coal, limestone and iron ore. They explore what life was like for mine workers in company towns and take a trip back in time by visiting a replica of a typical company store. A large scale photograph of the Empire Building, one of Birmingham’s best-known skyscrapers, is held in place by replicated steel girders illustrating how Birmingham grew to be the industrial center of the South. VPM’s most important artifact is the 56-foot tall statue of Vulcan that stands proudly outside Vulcan Center Museum. The story of Vulcan’s life story from the statue’s creation in record time for the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis to its importance as a symbol for the people of Birmingham and Alabama today is told through hands-on, interactive displays. Exhibits invite visitors to learn about the process of the statue’s creation from Italian-born artist Giuseppe Moretti’s first clay model to the unprecedented casting of over 100,000 pounds of iron to create the colossal ironman in final form. A full-size replica of Vulcan's foot, cast in fiberglass, gives visitors a sense of the scale of the statue. Other areas of the museum discuss the Great Depression’s impact on the city’s industrial production and examine Birmingham’s involvement with the Civil Rights Movement. Linn-Henley Gallery, located within the museum, features changing exhibits that broaden and offer fresh perspective on a variety of topics related to Birmingham.

Field Trips and Educational Programs: Vulcan Park and Museum offers a variety of educational programs and has become a popular destination for school field trips. All programs are aligned with the Alabama Course of Study and contain lessons in social studies, language arts, math, science and fine arts. Both Guided and Self-Guided school tours are available on weekdays throughout the year. In addition, VPM offers collaborative field trips with related Birmingham attractions (Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark, Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, or Ruffner Mountain Nature Center) and programs that bring the story of Vulcan to life through theatre, dance and musical performances.

Event Facility: Vulcan Park and Museum’s Event Facility serves as the perfect setting for a variety of corporate and private events, including seminars, luncheons, receptions, cocktail parties and weddings. Indoor and outdoor space is available, both of which provide spectacular views of downtown Birmingham.

Special Events: Throughout the year, Vulcan Park and Museum hosts a variety of public events including: •Vulcan’s Annual Birthday Bash – On the first Sunday in June, Vulcan Park and Museum is transformed into a festival atmosphere in celebration of Vulcan’s birthday. Visitors have the opportunity to enjoy food, balloons, clowns, local musical entertainment and fun activities. This family-friendly event celebrates the anniversary of Vulcan’s original dedication at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair.

•Thunder on the Mountain 4th of July Fireworks Extravaganza - In June 2007, Vulcan Park and Museum took the lead role in organizing this spectacular Fourth of July celebration, which is the largest fireworks show in the state of Alabama. Vulcan Park and Museum closes at 6 p.m. on July 4 each year to set up for the show. Fireworks are shot from the park grounds and Vulcan’s Observation Balcony. An official soundtrack that is synchronized with the show is broadcast on local radio stations and the fireworks show is televised live on a local news station.

•Vulcan AfterTunes Concert Series - Vulcan AfterTunes is a three-part concert series that is a unique and widely popular community event. Concerts featuring nationally-acclaimed singer/songwriters are performed on the City Overlook with the Birmingham skyline as a stunning backdrop.

Vulcan’s Gift Shop: Home to unique items featuring Birmingham's favorite icon and the Magic City, Vulcan's Gift Shop has something for everyone! Vulcan’s Gift Shop is located inside Vulcan Center Museum and is open seven days a week. Select items are also available online. Gift Shop hours coincide with Museum hours.

Vulcan® Park and Museum is operated by Vulcan® Park Foundation, a non-profit organization with a mission to preserve and promote Vulcan as the symbol for the Birmingham region, to advance knowledge and understanding of Birmingham's history and culture, and to encourage exploration of the region. Our offices are located inside Vulcan Center.