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Historic site · Birmingham, Alabama
Sloss Furnaces
Blast furnaces that operated from 1882 to 1970 and were preserved as an open-air museum, with boilers, smokestacks and machinery from Birmingham’s industrial era.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Sloss Furnaces
Sloss Furnaces produced pig iron in Birmingham from 1882 to 1970. After closing, the complex was preserved and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1981. It is one of the rare 20th-century blast furnaces kept as a museum in the United States.
Visitors walk among the two blast furnaces, the heating towers, smokestacks, steam-engine sheds and tunnels in a landscape of rusted iron and brick. Signs and a brochure explain the process, from ore and coal to molten iron.
In the reception building, a video and panels tell the story of the workers, many of them Black and immigrants, who worked in harsh, hot and dangerous conditions. Guided tours are offered on certain days for an extra fee.
The site also hosts concerts, festivals and metalworking workshops.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
From one hour to one and a half hours.
Best time
Right after opening or near closing. In summer, the iron retains heat during the central hours of the day.
How to get there
It’s on 32nd Street North, about 3 km east of downtown Birmingham, by car or ride-hailing app.
Tip
There is no charge for the self-guided tour entrance. Wear closed-toe shoes: the terrain has gravel and uneven sections.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Sloss Furnaces
Does Sloss Furnaces charge admission?
There is no charge for the self-guided visit during opening hours. Guided tours are paid separately.
How long does a visit to Sloss Furnaces take?
About one to one and a half hours, including the visitor center film.
On which days is Sloss Furnaces open?
It usually opens Tuesday through Sunday, with reduced hours on Sundays. Check the website calendar before you go.