Category: Museums In Alabama

Digital Alabama Guide to Museums in Alabama

This list of museums in Alabama is taken from Wikipedia and serves as our checklist of museums visited and yet to visit. As we visit locations, we publish our article and links.

When we find a museums not listed at Wikipedia, we add it to Wikipedia’s list in addition to publishing our own article.

Name Town/City County Type Summary
Rikard’s Mill Historical Park Monroe Local history Operating water-powered grist mill and museum[35]
Aliceville Museum Aliceville Pickens Local history website, includes memorabilia and artifacts from former prisoner-of-war camp for German soldiers during World War II, Coca-Cola artifacts and memorabilia, local history
Three Notch Museum Andalusia Covington Local history Operated by the Covington Historical Society in a historic depot
Anniston Museum of Natural History Anniston Calhoun Natural history Minerals, fossils, Alabama, North American and African wildlife dioramas.[13]
Berman Museum of World History Anniston Calhoun Multiple Ancient art, weapons, photos, clothing, hands-on displays and lifelike dioramas from around the world. website
Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives Athens Limestone Military Houses artifacts from the Revolutionary War to the present day. website
Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art Auburn Lee Art Part of Auburn University, 19th and 20th century American and European Art
Bessemer Hall of History Bessemer Jefferson Local history Housed in a historic 1916 railroad depot, displays include clothing, artifacts, photographs.[20]
Alabama Historical Radio Museum Birmingham Jefferson Radio Exhibits include antique radios. Operated by the Alabama Historical Radio Society. website
Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame Birmingham Jefferson Music Hall of Fame honors jazz artists with ties to Alabama. Exhibits include jazz memorabilia and instruments.
Alabama Men’s Hall of Fame Birmingham Jefferson History Hall of Fame for men native to or closely identified with Alabama who have made significant contributions to their professional fields, housed in Samford University‘s Harwell G. Davis Library, website
Alabama Museum of Health Sciences Birmingham Jefferson Medical Displays illustrating the health sciences in the areas of education, research, and practice.[4]
Alabama Sports Hall of Fame Birmingham Jefferson Sports Exhibits of Alabama’s athletic history.[8]
Arlington Antebellum Home & Gardens Birmingham Jefferson Historic house 1840s home with 19th century decorative arts.[14]
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute Birmingham Jefferson History / African American Depicts struggles during the American Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s.[21]
Birmingham-Jefferson History Museum Birmingham Jefferson Local history General history of the area, operated by the Birmingham-Jefferson Historical Society website
Birmingham Museum of Art Birmingham Jefferson Art Collections include Asian, European, American, African, Pre-Columbian, and Native American paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings and decorative arts.[22]
McWane Science Center Birmingham Jefferson Science Includes Native American artifacts, minerals and fossils from the former Red Mountain Museum, Challenger Learning Center, aquarium, hands-on science exhibits
Rickwood Field Birmingham Jefferson Sports Oldest surviving professional baseball park in the United States
Samuel Ullman Museum Birmingham Jefferson Biographical website, operated by The University of Alabama at Birmingham, life and works of poet Samuel Ullman
Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark Birmingham Jefferson Industry
Southern Environmental Center Birmingham Jefferson Natural history Located on the campus of Birmingham-Southern College, exhibits about pollution, green living
Southern Museum of Flight Birmingham Jefferson Aviation
Vulcan Park and Museum Birmingham Jefferson Industry City history, history of the Vulcan statue
Bridgeport Depot Museum Bridgeport Jackson Railroad Historic depot with local artifacts and railroad memorabilia
Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum Calera Shelby Railroad Official state railroad museum
North Alabama Railroad Museum Chase Madison Railroad Features a rolling stock collection, a small train station and a small heritage railroad
Karl C. Harrison Museum of George Washington Columbiana Shelby Biographical website, art and artifacts from the colonial period through 1865 related to the George Washington family, located in the Mildred B. Harrison Regional Library
Shelby County Historical Society Museum Columbiana Shelby History Local history
Shelby Iron Works Columbiana Shelby Industry Former iron works buildings in a park setting
Ave Maria Grotto Cullman Cullman Religious Outdoor miniature reproductions of some of the most famous religious structures of the world.[15]
Cullman County Museum Cullman Cullman Local history Housed in a replica of the home of Col. John G. Cullmann, the founder of Cullman
American Sport Art Museum and Archives Daphne Baldwin Sports More than 1,500 pieces of sport art. Located on the campus of the United States Sports Academy.[10]
Dauphin Island Sea Lab Dauphin Island Mobile Natural history Estuarium with aquariums, boardwalk, highlights four key habitats of coastal Alabama: the Mobile Tensaw River Delta, Mobile Bay, the Barrier Islands and the Northern Gulf of Mexico
Fort Gaines Dauphin Island Mobile Military Located on Dauphin Island, 1820s fort known for its role in the Battle of Mobile Bay during the American Civil War
Blue and Gray Museum of North Alabama Decatur Morgan Military Private collection of Civil War artifacts
Carnegie Visual Arts Center Decatur Morgan Art website
Cook’s Natural Science Museum Decatur Morgan Natural history website, insects, mounted birds and animals, rocks and minerals, sea shells and coral
Bluff Hall Demopolis Marengo Historic house Mansion built by slaves in 1832.[23]
Gaineswood Demopolis Marengo Historic house Greek Revival plantation house listed as a National Historic Landmark and operated by the Alabama Historical Commission Website
Alabama Mining Museum Dora Walker Industry Exhibits include a 1900s train and mining cars, one-room African American school, elementary school, post office, and depot. website
G.W. Carver Interpretive Museum Dothan Houston Biographical Dedicated to African American scientist George Washington Carver.[27]
Landmark Park Dothan Houston Living history website, Alabama’s official Museum of Agriculture, includes 1890s living history farm, a one-room schoolhouse, a general store, a turn-of the-century church and a planetarium, 100 acres
Wiregrass Museum of Art Dothan Houston Art Located in a former power and water plant, includes traveling exhibits, collection of American contemporary and pop art
Baldwin County Heritage Museum Elberta Baldwin Local history Agricultural and cultural history. website
Fendall Hall Eufaula Barbour Historic house Victorian period home with furnishings and gardens, operated by the Alabama Historical Commission
Shorter Mansion Eufaula Barbour Historic house Classic Revival house, operated by the Eufala Heritage Association
Fairhope Museum of History Fairhope Baldwin Local history information
Marietta Johnson Museum Fairhope Baldwin Biographical website, dedicated to educator Marietta Johnson
Fayette Art Museum Fayette Fayette Art website
Children’s Museum of the Shoals Florence Lauderdale Children’s website
Indian Mound and Museum Florence Lauderdale Native American Indian mound and museum with excavated artifacts from different cultures dating back 10,000 years[30]
Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts Florence Lauderdale Art Features annual and changing exhibits of artists from the Southeast[30]
Pope’s Tavern Florence Lauderdale Historic house Historic stagecoach stop, tavern and inn, hospital and command center for both Northern and Southern armies, features local and Civil War artifacts[30]
Rosenbaum House Florence Lauderdale Historic house Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright[30]
W. C. Handy Home, Museum & Library Florence Lauderdale Biographical Birthplace of W. C. Handy, a blues composer and musician, often called the “Father of the Blues”[30]
Foley Train Museum Foley Baldwin Railroad website, model railroads
Fort Mitchell Fort Mitchell Russell Military Reconstructed 1810s fort and museum, involved in the Creek War
Fort Payne Depot Museum Fort Payne DeKalb Local history
United States Army Aviation Museum Fort Rucker Dale Aviation Located on Fort Rucker, features large collection of helicopters
Alabama River Museum Franklin Monroe Multiple Open for special events by Monroe County Heritage Museums, local history including fossils, Native American artifacts, steamboats
Central-Carver Legacy Museum Gadsden Etowah African American website, history of the former Carver High School
Gadsden Museum of Art Gadsden Etowah Art website
Mary G. Hardin Center for Cultural Arts Gadsden Etowah Multiple website, includes three galleries with changing art exhibits, Imagination Place Children’s Museum
Magnolia Grove Greensboro Hale Historic house Antebellum mansion, best known as home of Rear Admiral Richmond Pearson Hobson, operated by the Alabama Historical Commission
Clarke County Historical Museum Grove Hill Clarke Local history Grounds include the Alston-Cobb House, law office, corn crib and cabin
Fort Morgan Gulf Shores Baldwin Military The fort features an active living history program that interprets all the military periods and holds an annual event commemorating the Battle of Mobile Bay, operated by the Alabama Historical Commission
Gulf Shores Museum Gulf Shores Baldwin Local history website
Guntersville Museum Guntersville Marshall Multiple website, history, art, culture, natural history, located in the Company E of the 167th Infantry of the Alabama National Guard Armory
Evelyn Burrow Museum Hanceville Cullman Decorative arts website, examples of delicately crafted porcelain to artful everyday wares, collection includes porcelain, pottery, glass and bronze from the Victorian era to modern times
Joseph Wheeler Plantation Hillsboro Lawrence Historic house Former home of Confederate General Joseph Wheeler, also known as Pond Spring. Operated by the Alabama Historical Commission
Alabama Constitution Village Huntsville Madison Living history Open-air museum that reenacts life in 1819.[2]
Burritt on the Mountain Huntsville Madison Historic house Restored 19th-century houses, barnyard and animals, and exhibits
EarlyWorks Children’s History Museum Huntsville Madison Children’s website
Harrison Brothers Hardware Store Huntsville Madison Local history Landmark store, established in 1879, combination museum and operating hardware business[28]
Huntsville Depot Huntsville Madison Railroad City’s railroad and transportation history[29]
Huntsville Museum of Art Huntsville Madison Art
State Black Archives Research Center & Museum Huntsville Madison African American website, part of Alabama A&M University, located in James H. Wilson Hall
U.S. Space & Rocket Center Huntsville Madison Aerospace Science, rocketry and space exploration
Veterans Memorial Museum Huntsville Madison Military website
Weeden House Museum Huntsville Madison Historic house website, home of female artist and poet Maria Howard Weeden
Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum Leeds Jefferson Automotive Vintage and modern motorcycles and race cars.[16]
Lee County Historical Society Museum Loachapoka Lee Local history website, includes a frontier cabin, blacksmith shop, jail, and 20th century doctors office/pharmacy/soda fountain and post office
Sci-Quest Madison Northern website
Ancient Wars Museum Madison Madison History Worldwide authentic relics from 5,000 A.C. Ancient World cultures such as Egyptian, Chinese, Roman, Viking, Persian up to Modern Era. Also known as Alabama War Museum.[11][12]
Alabama Women’s Hall of Fame Marion Perry History Hall of Fame for women native to or closely identified with Alabama who have made significant contributions to their professional fields
Iron & Steel Museum of Alabama McCalla Tuscaloosa Industry Iron and steel manufacturing during the Civil War
Battleship Memorial Park Mobile Mobile Military Collection of notable aircraft and museum ships including the South Dakota-class battleship USS Alabama and Gato-class submarine USS Drum.[18]
Bragg-Mitchell Mansion Mobile Mobile Historic house Mansion built by Congressman John Bragg in 1855.[25]
Conde-Charlotte House Mobile Mobile Historic house Rooms reflect different periods
Fort Conde Mobile Mobile Military Reconstruction, at 4/5 scale, of the original 1720s French fort, operated by the History Museum of Mobile
Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center Mobile Mobile Science Science center that features three permanent exhibitions, a wide variety of traveling exhibitions, a virtual theater, and an IMAX theater.
History Museum of Mobile Mobile Mobile Local history City history, culture, decorative arts, miniature house collection, local art exhibits
Mobile Carnival Museum Mobile Mobile Local history Chronicles over 300 years of Carnival and Mardi Gras in Mobile
Mobile Medical Museum Mobile Mobile Medical website
Mobile Museum of Art Mobile Mobile Art
National African American Archives and Museum Mobile Mobile African American Themes include slavery, African American contributions in Mobile, Alabama and the United States.
Oakleigh Historic Complex Mobile Mobile Historic house Includes the Oakleigh Mansion, Cox-Deasy House, a former slave quarters, and the Minnie Mitchell Archives.[32]
Phoenix Fire Museum Mobile Mobile Firefighting Operated by the History Museum of Mobile, located in the restored home of the Phoenix Volunteer Fire Company No. 6, includes turn-of-the-century horse-drawn steam engines and early motorized vehicles[34]
Richards DAR House Mobile Mobile Historic house 1860 Italianate house, operated by the Daughters of the American Revolution
Monroe County Heritage Museums Monroeville Monroe Multiple website, includes Old Courthouse Museum, Rikard’s Mill Historical Park, Alabama River Museum
Old Courthouse Museum Monroeville Monroe Local history Restored 1930s period courthouse, exhibits on local authors Truman Capote and Harper Lee
Aldrich Coal Mine Museum Montevallo Shelby Mining History and artifacts from the town’s former coal mine
The American Village Montevallo Shelby Living history Focuses on United States history and civic education, future home of the Miniature Museum of American History. website
Alabama Administrative Office of Courts Museum Area Montgomery Montgomery Law Exhibits of Alabama judicial history and important figures, located in the Alabama Judicial Building.[1]
Alabama Artists Gallery Montgomery Montgomery Art Operated by the Alabama State Council on the Arts, located on the first floor of the RSA Tower, website
Alabama Department of Archives and History Montgomery Montgomery History Official archives for the state of Alabama, features the Museum of Alabama with exhibits including Native American, military history, 19th- and 20th-century historic artifacts, photos, and art
Alabama Governor’s Mansion Montgomery Montgomery Historic house Official residence of Alabama’s Governor. Open for tours.[3]
Alabama State Capitol Montgomery Montgomery Capitol State capitol building of Alabama. A National Historic Landmark, it is open for tours and is operated by the Alabama Historical Commission.[9]
Dexter Parsonage Museum Montgomery Montgomery History / African American website, church where Dr. Martin Luther, King, Jr. pastored from 1954–1960 and began his quest for civil rights.
First White House of the Confederacy Montgomery Montgomery Historic house Executive residence of President Jefferson Davis and family
Freedom Rides Museum Montgomery Montgomery History Bus station that was the site of a violent attack on participants in the 1961 Freedom Ride during the Civil Rights Movement
F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum Montgomery Montgomery Historic house information website
Hank Williams Museum Montgomery Montgomery Biographical website
Mann Wildlife Learning Museum Montgomery Montgomery Natural history Part of Montgomery Zoo, wildlife dioramas with mounted mammals, mounted fish
Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts Montgomery Montgomery Art 19th- and 20th-century American paintings and sculpture, Southern regional art, Old Master prints and decorative arts
The MOOseum Montgomery Montgomery Industry website, cattle industry in Alabama
Old Alabama Town Montgomery Montgomery Living history Collection of historically significant buildings, brought together as a living history museum.[33]
Rosa Parks Library and Museum Montgomery Montgomery History / African American Dedicated to Rosa Parks, on the Troy Universitycampus[36]
Moundville Archaeological Park Moundville Hale Native American Operated by the University of Alabama
Confederate Memorial Park Mountain Creek Chilton Military Includes Alabama Confederate Soldiers Home with Civil War exhibits, two cemeteries, a church and post office. Operated by the Alabama Historical Commission
Northport Heritage Museum Northport Tuscaloosa Local history website
Oakville Indian Mounds Park and Museum Oakville Lawrence Native American 83-acre (340,000 m2) state park and museum dedicated to ancient Native American monuments and the historic Cherokee nation of the Southeast
Jesse Owens Memorial Park and Museum Oakville Morgan Biographical Birthplace of track and field athlete Jesse Owens, who participated in the 1936 Summer Olympics, where he won four gold medals.[31]
Museum of East Alabama Opelika Lee Local history website, local history of the Auburn/Opelika area and surrounding Lee County
Old Cahawba Archaeological Park Orrville Dallas Open-air Ghost town archaeological park with exhibits in the Welcome Center, operated by the Alabama Historical Commission
Dowling Museum and Rudd Art Center Ozark Dale Art website
Buena Vista Mansion Prattville Autauga Historic house Federal style plantation house built in 1822.[26]
Scottsboro-Jackson Heritage Center Scottsboro Jackson Local history Located in the Brown-Proctor House, late 19th-century period house, area Native Americans, pioneers, local history
National Voting Rights Museum Selma Dallas History / African American History of the African-American Voting Rights and Women’s Suffrage movements
Sturdivant Hall Selma Dallas Historic house Mid 19th century Greek Revival mansion
Vaughan-Smitherman Museum Selma Dallas Local history Depicts Selma’s history until about 1960
Rock Store Museum Skyline Jackson History Historic general store and former New Deal co-op
Stevenson Railroad Depot Museum Stevenson Jackson Railroad Railroad and Civil War artifacts
Isabel Anderson Comer Museum and Arts Center Sylacauga Talladega Art website
International Motorsports Hall of Fame Talladega Talladega Automotive Racing vehicles and memorabilia
Jemison-Carnegie Heritage Hall Talladega Talladega Local history website
Bellingrath Gardens and Home Theodore Mobile Historic house Mansion and 65 acres (26 ha) of historic gardens.[19]
Alabama Rural Heritage Center Thomaston Marengo Art History and folk art, operated by Auburn University‘s Rural Studio.[7]
Kathryn Tucker Windham Museum Thomasville Clarke Biographical Dedicated to journalist, photographer and storyteller Kathryn Tucker Windham, on the Alabama Southern Community College campus.
Alabama Museum of Natural History Tuscaloosa Tuscaloosa Natural history Displays of geology, zoology, mineralogy, paleontology, ethnology, history, and photography.[5]
Battle-Friedman House Tuscaloosa Tuscaloosa Historic house Antebellum house and garden, operated by the Tuscaloosa County Preservation Society.[17]
Children’s Hands-On Museum of Tuscaloosa Tuscaloosa Tuscaloosa Children’s website
Gorgas House Tuscaloosa Tuscaloosa Historic house First building built on the University of Alabama campus, the former dining hall was later used as a faculty residence by the Confederate Chief of Ordnance and University President, Josiah Gorgas, and his family.
Mildred Westervelt Warner Transportation Museum Tuscaloosa Tuscaloosa Transportation
Paul W. Bryant Museum Tuscaloosa Tuscaloosa Biographical Football coach Bear Bryant
Tuscaloosa Museum of Art Tuscaloosa Tuscaloosa Art American art; formerly known as the Westervelt-Warner Museum of American Art
Alabama Music Hall of Fame Tuscumbia Colbert Music Exhibits illustrate how Alabamians have contributed to make the music industry what it is today.[6]
Belle Mont (Tuscumbia, Alabama) Tuscumbia Colbert Historic house A plantation house, completed in 1832, with characteristics of Thomas Jefferson-influenced Palladian architecture.[1] Operated by the Alabama Historical Commission Website
Ivy Green Tuscumbia Colbert Historic house Birthplace of Helen Keller.
Booker T. Washington House Tuskegee Macon Historic house Former home of Booker T. Washington, known as “The Oaks.” On the Tuskegee Institute campus.[24]
George Washington Carver Museum Tuskegee Macon Biographical Dedicated to African American scientist George Washington Carver, on the Tuskegee Institute campus
Tuskegee History Center Tuskegee Macon History / African American website
Mercedes-Benz Visitor Center and Museum Vance Tuscaloosa Automotive Mercedes-Benz automobiles and plant tours by advance reservations
Fort Toulouse-Fort Jackson Park Wetumpka Elmore Military Replica 18th-century fort with living history demonstrations

Birmingham History Center

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The Birmingham History Center collects and preserves an array of historic objects, books, clothing, photographs, machinery, documents and other items of historic significance to Birmingham and Jefferson County communities. About a quarter of the museum’s holdings are on display Monday-Friday in the renovated pre-1900’s gallery, weaving together the different histories of modern Birmingham ..

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Pope's Tavern | Florence Alabama

Pope’s Tavern in Florence Alabama

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Pope’s Tavern, built as a stagecoach stop and tavern is now a museum on Hermitage Drive in Florence. According to the museum’s website, Andrew Jackson stayed at the inn on his way to the Battle of New Orleans.

Archeological evidence suggests that the first building burned at some point, and while no exact date of construction is known for the current building, construction of the one-and-a-half-story, eight-room, Federal-style structure began sometime in the 1830s or 1840s.

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DESOTO STATE PARK – ALABAMA

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The 3,000 acre park was named after the explorer Hernando De Soto.  There are historic sites including a museum;  a lodge, cabins, restaurant, swimming pool, hiking, bike trails, walking trails, waterfalls, tennis court, picnic areas and campsites.

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