Historical Museum Guide for Alabama

Alabama History Museums

Autauga County

The Heritage Center is housed in a historic home in downtown Prattville, the museum offers insight into the history of Prattville and Autauga County.  Included are displays of Civil War memorabilia and the Autauga County Archives where genealogical materials are available.  It is located in Old Prattvillage at 125 W. Main Street in Prattville, AL where you will find a collection of 1800s structures.

Baldwin County

Baldwin County Heritage Museum  [Photo Tour]

Focused on the history of agriculture and the cultural history of Baldwin County.  Located at 25521 Hwy 98 E in Elberta, Alabama.

Fort Morgan State Historic Site and Museum

Fort Morgan was built between 1819 and 1834.  Was operable during the Civil War, Spanish American War, WWI and WWII.  As a museum it is now focused on the history of the Fort.  Location is 51 Hwy 180W in Gulf Shores, AL.

Gulf Shores History Museum

Housed inside a beach house, the museum is dedicated to hurricane history.  Hurricane Fredrick and Hurricane Ivan are the main focus.  Features include Lagoon Village and many artifacts related to the hurricanes which occurred here.  Located at 244 W. 19th Avenue in Gulf Shores, AL.

Old Methodist Church Museum of Daphne

Built in 1858, the Church is now a museum focused on the history of Daphne.  On the East side, you will find the oldest grave yard in Daphne.  Address: 405 Dryer Avenue, Daphne, AL.

[Tour of Old Towne Daphne]   [History and Heritage of Daphne]

Calhoun County

Anniston Museum of Natural History

Visitors to the Anniston Museum of Natural History can explore the North American wilderness, study mummies, view the wilds of Africa and much more.  Located at 800 Museum Drive in Anniston, AL.

Historic Anniston

Cullman County

Housed in a replica of Colonel Johann G. Cullman's home, the museum is a place to experience the heritage and history of Cullman.  Located at 211 2nd Avenue NW in Cullman, AL.

Dallas County

The town was the State Capital of Alabama 1820-1826.  Learn about the importance of this location during the Civil War, when a Civil War prison was established here.  After the war, the town became a ghost town.  Archaeological digs are in progress here and they are finding many things of interest.

History and Legacy

Elmore County

Elmore County Museum

Currently closed for renovations.

Elmore County Museum of Black History

Focus on the history of schools, churches and black families of Elmore County.  Located at 1004 Lancaster Street in Elmore, AL.

Fort Toulouse State Historic Site   [Frontier Days - Livig History Schedule]

Step back in time with a walk through the French and American Forts, where living history re-enactments take place some weekends.  The park is also home to the Mississippi Mound site built by the Mississippian Mound Builders.  Location is in Wetumpka, AL.

Jefferson County

Statue at Vulcan Park

Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park   [History]

Alabama Iron and Steel Museum

Learn about the Roupes Valley Ironworks at Tannehill in the 1800s.  Behind the museum you will find an 1858 cotton gin house.  Located in Tannehill Ironworks State Park at 12632 Confederate Pkwy, McCalla, AL.

Vulcan Park and Museum

Home to the world’s largest cast iron statue and features spectacular panoramic views of Birmingham. We tell the story of Birmingham’s past, present and promise for the future. Vulcan, the Roman god of fire and forge, was originally built in 1904 for the St. Louis World’s Fair to represent Birmingham’s iron industry. The newly renovated Vulcan Park and Museum sits atop Red Mountain with Vulcan standing 124 feet off the mountain on his original 1938 pedestal. A 10-acre urban green space surrounds the 56’ high statue and open-air observation balcony. Visitors find interactive exhibits and displays that give insight into the region’s geology, history and industrial growth. Groups welcome. Free parking and bus parking. Visit Vulcan Park and Museum, the gateway to the region, and see how imagination makes giants!

1701 home to the world’s largest cast iron statue and features spectacular panoramic views of Birmingham. We tell the story of Birmingham’s past, present and promise for the future. Vulcan, the Roman god of fire and forge, was originally built in 1904 for the St. Louis World’s Fair to represent Birmingham’s iron industry. The newly renovated Vulcan Park and Museum sits atop Red Mountain with Vulcan standing 124 feet off the mountain on his original 1938 pedestal. A 10-acre urban green space surrounds the 56’ high statue and open-air observation balcony. Visitors find interactive exhibits and displays that give insight into the region’s geology, history and industrial growth. Groups welcome. Free parking and bus parking. Visit Vulcan Park and Museum, the gateway to the region, and see how imagination makes giants!

1701 Valley View Drive, Birmingham, AL 35209

Lauderdale County

W C Handy Home and Museum

A museum dedicated to the work of Blues composer W. C. Handy "Father of the Blues".  The library located on the premises is a resource center for African American history.  Located at 620 W. College Street in Florence, Alabama.

Indian Mound and Museum

Located near the Florence Indian Mound, the museum displays artifacts found in the area.  Address is 1028 S. Court Street in Florence, AL.

Pope's Tavern Museum

One of the oldest structures in Florence it was a stagecoach stop in the 1800s.  Today it serves as a museum of history for the Florence and Shoals area of Alabama.  Located at 203 Hermitage Drive, Florence, AL.

Lee County

History and artifacts of East Alabama and Opelika are on display.  Located in historic downtown Opelika at 121 S. 9th Street.

Limestone County

Honoring veterans and preserving their memories.  Address is 100 Pryor Street in Athens, AL.

Madison County

Alabama Constitution Village

The Alabama State Constitution was signed  here in 1819.  Walk down the path to the past and see Alabama as it was in those days with busy villagers in costume working at their daily chores.  Located at 109 Gates Avenue in Huntsville, AL.

Burritt On the Mountain Living History Museum   [History]

Known as the "Jewel on the Mountain", the museum is actually an historic park full of historical houses and buildings where visitors can learn about the fascinating history of Huntsville and enjoy cultural events such as plays and concerts.  The centerpiece of the park is the 1936 Burritt Mansion where visitors will find original furnishings, exhibits of regional history and information about the life of Dr. Burritt (local physician and inventor.)  Address is 3101 Burritt Drive in Huntsville, AL.

Historic Huntsville Depot

Humphrey - Rodgers House

North Alabama Railroad Museum

Veterans Memorial Museum

Mobile County

Bellingrath Gardens and Home

Constructed in 1935, this historic home features 65 acres of beautiful gardens.  The home contains original furnishings and fine antiques.  Located at 12401 Bellingrath Gardens Road in Theordore, AL.

Conde-Charlotte House Museum

Historic Fort Gaines on Dauphin Island   [Virtual Map Tour]

A fort on Dauphin Island was begun in 1821 but then was abandoned.  It was another 40 years before Fort Gaines was completed in 1861.  The fort played an important role in the Civil War Battle of Mobile Bay and was again used in the Spanish American War.  The fort was used as a camp during WWII.  Today, the Coast Guard uses the it as a base for crash rescue boat operations.  The property is now owned by Dauphin Island Park and Beach Board. Located at 51 Bienville Blvd. on Dauphin Island, AL.

Mobile Police Department Museum

Focused on the history of policing in Mobile, the museum is housed inside a current operating police precinct.  Located at 320 Dauphin in downtown Mobile, AL.

Museum of Mobile   [Exhibits]

Oakleigh House Museum Complex Includes:

Cox - Deasy Creole Cottage

Minnie Mitchell Archives

Oakleigh House Museum

Monroe County

Montgomery County

Alabama Department of Archives and History   [Museum]

Old Alabama Town History Village

Rosa Parks Library and Museum

Morgan County

The 1833 historic bank building was designed by Andrew Jackson.  Through the years, it has served as a hospital and guard house by the Union during the Civil War.  Visitors will find the original vault, a period teller's cage and the apartment of the bank's first cashier complete with period furnishings.  Located at 925 Bank Street NE in the historic district of Decatur, AL.

Pickens County

A German POW museum / archives which documents Camp Aliceville.  Exhibits also include Coca Cola assembly line equipment along with military and agricultural history exhibits.  Located at 104 Broad Street in Aliceville, AL.

Pike County

The museum is focused on WWI through the Vietnam War military memorabilia.  A gift shop is available and contains many living history supplies for re-enactors.  Located at 246 U.S. Hwy 231 North in Troy, AL, in the parking lot of the Pioneer Museum of Alabama.

Pioneer Museum of Alabama

Dedicated to the preservation of the history of early Alabama pioneers, the museum includes 15 historic buildings, over 18,000 artifacts, even an 1881 wood burning locomotive.  During special events, it becomes a living history museum with people working in period dress.  Address is 248 U.S. Hwy 231 North in Troy, AL.

Shelby County

Birmingham Historical District

Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum

Karl C. Harrison Museum of George Washington  [Virtual Tour]

Shelby County Historical Museum and Archives  [Photos]

Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark

The American Village   [Photo Gallery]

Tuscaloosa County

Bama Belle Paddlewheel Riverboat

Although this is a replica of the old paddlewheel riverboats of yesteryear, it is a great way to experience the grandeur of the lovely riverboats which at one time made their way on the waterways of America.  The Bama Belle is available for sightseeing tours and dinner cruises.  Located on the Black Warrior River at #1 Greensboro Avenue in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Battle-Friedman House

Built in 1835, the home was owned by wealthy planter Alfred Battle.  Today the home is filled with antique furnishings and is available for tours.  Located at 1010 Greensboro Avenue in Tuscaloosa, AL.

Gorgas House   [History]

Historic Tuscaloosa   [History]  [Photos]

Moundville Archaeological Park and Museum

Murphy African American Museum

Housed in the Murphy-Collins House at 2601 Bryant Drive, this museum is focused on the lifestyle of affluent blacks in 1900s Tuscaloosa.  The home contains parts of the old state capitol building which were foraged when it burnt in 1923.  Available for tours.

Old Tavern Museum

Erected in 1827 by William Dunton, it served as a hotel and tavern on the stagecoach route in Tuscaloosa.  Tours are offered.  Located at 500 28th Avenue in Tuscaloosa, AL.

Tuscaloosa Museum of Natural History

University of Alabama Museums

Walker County

Learn about the history of coal mining 1890-1940.  Located at 120 East Street in Dora, AL.

Carl Elliott House Museum

Built in 1913, this house was home to Carl Elliott who authored the Library Services Act which brought bookmobiles and libraries to rural America.

Located at 1700 Birmingham Ave. in Jasper, AL.

Museum Index for Other States

Alabama Census Records