List of museums in Alabama

The list of museums in Alabama contains museums in the U.S. state of Alabama. A number of public and private institutions and organizations around the state make their collections available for public viewing. These museums contain artifacts and exhibits related to art and art history, broadcasting, children, civil and political rights, culture, industry, law, medicine, military history, music, natural history, local and regional history, science, sports and transportation. Additionally, the state is home to many historic house museums, many with a focus on the biographical history of individuals; several hall of fames; and a number of living history museums with a focus on local, state, or national history. Also included are non-profit and university art galleries. Museums that exist only in cyberspace (i.e., virtual museums) are not included in this list.

Active museums

To use the sortable table, click on the icons at the top of each column to sort that column in alphabetical order; click again for reverse alphabetical order.

Name Town/City Region Type Summary
Alabama Administrative Office of Courts Museum Area Montgomery Central Law Exhibits of Alabama judicial history and important figures, located in the Alabama Judicial Building.[1]
Alabama Artists Gallery Montgomery Central Art Operated by the Alabama State Council on the Arts. website
Alabama Constitution Village Huntsville Northern Living history Open air museum that reenacts life in 1819.[2]
Alabama Department of Archives and History Montgomery Central History Official archives for the state of Alabama. Exhibits include Native American, military history, 19th and 20th century historic artifacts, photos, and art.[3]
Alabama Governor's Mansion Montgomery Central Historic house Official residence of Alabama's Governor. Open for tours.[4]
Alabama Historical Radio Museum Birmingham Central Radio Exhibits include antique radios. Operated by the Alabama Historical Radio Society. website
Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame Birmingham Central Music Hall of Fame honors jazz artists with ties to Alabama. Exhibits include jazz memorabilia and instruments.[5]
Alabama Men's Hall of Fame Birmingham Central History Hall of Fame for men native to or closely identified with Alabama who have made significant contributions to their professional fields. website
Alabama Mining Museum Dora Central Industry Exhibits include a 1900s train and mining cars, one-room African American school, elementary school, post office, and depot. website
Alabama Museum of Health Sciences Birmingham Central Medical Displays illustrating the health sciences in the areas of education, research, and practice.[6]
Alabama Museum of Natural History Tuscaloosa West central Natural history Displays of geology, zoology, mineralogy, paleontology, ethnology, history, and photography.[7]
Alabama Music Hall of Fame Tuscumbia Northwestern Music Exhibits illustrate how Alabamians have contributed to make the music industry what it is today.[8]
Alabama River Museum Franklin East central Multiple website, currently closed, local history including fossils, Native American artifacts, steamboats
Alabama Rural Heritage Center Thomaston Southwestern Art History and folk art, operated by Auburn University's Rural Studio.[9]
Alabama Sports Hall of Fame Birmingham Central Sports Exhibits of Alabama’s athletic history.[10]
Alabama State Capitol Montgomery Central Capitol State capitol building of Alabama. A National Historic Landmark, it is open for tours.[11]
Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives Athens Northern Military Houses artifacts from the Revolutionary War to the present day. website
Alabama Women's Hall of Fame Marion Southwestern History Hall of Fame for women native to or closely identified with Alabama who have made significant contributions to their professional fields.website
Aliceville POW Museum Aliceville Southwestern Military Memorabilia and artifacts from former prisoner-of-war camp for German soldiers during World War II. website
American Sport Art Museum and Archives Daphne Gulf Coast Sports More than 1,500 pieces of sport art. Located on the campus of the United States Sports Academy.[12]
The American Village Montevallo Central Living history Focuses on United States history and civic education, future home of the Miniature Museum of American History. website
Anniston Museum of Natural History Anniston Northeastern Natural history Minerals, fossils, Alabama, North American and African wildlife dioramas.[13]
Arlington Antebellum Home & Gardens Birmingham Central Historic house 1840s home with 19th century decorative arts.[14]
Ave Maria Grotto Cullman Northern Religious Outdoor miniature reproductions of some of the most famous religious structures of the world.[15]
Baldwin County Heritage Museum Elberta Gulf Coast Local history Agricultural and cultural history. website
Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum Birmingham Central Automotive Vintage and modern motorcycles and race cars.[16]
Battle-Friedman House Tuscaloosa West central Historic house Antebellum house and garden, operated by the Tuscaloosa County Preservation Society.[17]
Battleship Memorial Park Mobile Gulf Coast Military Collection of notable aircraft and museum ships including the South Dakota-class battleship USS Alabama and Gato-class submarine USS Drum.[18]
Bellingrath Gardens and Home Theodore Gulf Coast Historic house Mansion and 65 acres (26 ha) of historic gardens.[19]
Belle Mont (Tuscumbia, Alabama) Tuscumbia Northwestern Historic house A plantation house, completed in 1832, with characteristics of Thomas Jefferson-influenced Palladian architecture.[6]
Berman Museum of World History Anniston Northeastern Multiple Ancient art, weapons, photos, clothing, hands-on displays and lifelike dioramas from around the world. website
Bessemer Hall of History Bessemer Central Local history Housed in a historic 1916 railroad depot, displays include clothing, artifacts, photographs.[20]
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute Birmingham Central History / African American Depicts struggles during the American Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s.[21]
Birmingham-Jefferson History Museum Birmingham Central Local history General history of the area, operated by the Birmingham-Jefferson Historical Society website
Birmingham Museum of Art Birmingham Central Art Collections include Asian, European, American, African, Pre-Columbian, and Native American paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings and decorative arts.[22]
Bluff Hall Demopolis Southwestern Historic house Mansion built by slaves in 1832.[23]
Booker T. Washington House Tuskegee East central Historic house Former home of Booker T. Washington, known as "The Oaks." On the Tuskegee Institute campus.[24]
Bragg-Mitchell Mansion Mobile Gulf Coast Historic house Mansion built by Congressman John Bragg in 1855.[25]
Bridgeport Depot Museum Bridgeport Northern Railroad Historic depot with local artifacts and railroad memorabilia. website
Buena Vista Mansion Prattville Central Historic house Federal style plantation house built in 1822.[26]
Burritt on the Mountain Huntsville Northern Historic house Restored 19th century houses, barnyard and animals, and exhibits. website
Carlen House Mobile Gulf Coast Historic house 1843 Irish immigrant family cottage, on the campus of Murphy High School.[27]
Carnegie Visual Arts Center Decatur Northern Art website
Central-Carver Legacy Museum Gadsden Northeastern African American website
Children's Hands-On Museum of Tuscaloosa Tuscaloosa West central Children's website
Children's Museum of the Shoals Florence Northwestern Children's website
Clarke County Historical Museum Grove Hill Southwestern Local history Grounds include the Alston-Cobb House, law office, corn crib and cabin
Conde-Charlotte House Mobile Gulf Coast Historic house Rooms reflect different periods
Confederate Memorial Park Mountain Creek Central Military Includes Alabama Confederate Soldiers Home with Civil War exhibits, two cemeteries, a church and post office
Cook's Natural Science Museum Decatur Northern Natural history website, insects, mounted birds and animals, rocks and minerals, sea shells and coral
Cullman County Museum Cullman Northern Local history Housed in a replica of the home of Col. John G. Cullmann, the founder of Cullman
Dexter Parsonage Museum Montgomery Central History / African American website, church where Dr. Martin Luther, King, Jr. pastored from 1954–1960 and began his quest for civil rights.
Dowling Museum and Rudd Art Center Ozark Southeastern Art website
EarlyWorks Children's History Museum Huntsville Northern Children's website
Fairhope Museum of History Fairhope Gulf Coast Local history information
Fayette Art Museum Fayette Northwestern Art website
Fendall Hall Eufaula Southeastern Historic house Victorian period home with furnishings and gardens
First White House of the Confederacy Montgomery Central Historic house Executive residence of President Jefferson Davis and family
Foley Train Museum Foley Gulf Coast Railroad website
Fort Conde Mobile Gulf Coast Military Reconstruction, at 4/5 scale, of the original 1720s French fort, operated by the History Museum of Mobile
Fort Gaines Dauphin Island Gulf Coast Military Located on Dauphin Island, 1820s fort known for its role in the Battle of Mobile Bay during the American Civil War
Fort Mitchell Fort Mitchell East central Military Reconstructed 1810s fort and museum, involved in the Creek War
Fort Morgan Gulf Shores Gulf Coast Military
Fort Payne Depot Museum Fort Payne Northeastern Railroad website
Fort Toulouse-Fort Jackson State Historic Site Wetumpka Central Military website
F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum Montgomery Central Historic house information website
Gadsden Museum of Art Gadsden Northeastern Art website
Gorgas House Tuscaloosa West central Historic house Shrine to the Josiah Gorgas family, on the University of Alabama campus
Gaineswood Demopolis Southwestern Historic house Greek Revival plantation house listed as a National Historic Landmark
George Washington Carver Museum Tuskegee East central Biographical Dedicated to African American scientist George Washington Carver, on the Tuskegee Institute campus
G.W. Carver Interpretive Museum Dothan Southeastern Biographical Dedicated to African American scientist George Washington Carver.[28]
Gulf Coast Exploreum Mobile Gulf Coast Science Science center that features three permanent exhibitions, a wide variety of traveling exhibitions, a virtual theater, and an IMAX theater.
Gulf Shores Museum Gulf Shores Gulf Coast Local history information website
Guntersville Museum Guntersville Northeastern Multiple website, history, art, culture, natural history.
Hank Williams Museum Montgomery Central Biographical website
Harrison Brothers Hardware Store Huntsville Northern Local history Landmark store, established in 1879, combination museum and operating hardware business[29]
Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum Calera Central Railroad Official state railroad museum
Historic Magee Farm Kushla Gulf Coast Historic house website
Huntsville Depot Huntsville Northern Railroad City's railroad and transportation history[30]
Huntsville Museum of Art Huntsville Northern Art
Imagination Place Children's Museum Gadsden Northeastern Children's website
Indian Mound and Museum Florence Northwestern Native American website
International Motorsports Hall of Fame Talladega East central Automotive Racing vehicles and memorabilia
Iron & Steel Museum of Alabama McCalla Central Industry Iron and steel manufacturing during the Civil War
Isabel Anderson Comer Museum and Arts Center Sylacauga East central Art website, article
Ivy Green Tuscumbia Northwestern Historic house Birthplace of Helen Keller.
Jemison-Carnegie Heritage Hall Talladega East central Local history website
Jesse Owens Museum Danville Central Biographical Birthplace of track and field athlete Jesse Owens. He participated in the 1936 Summer Olympics, where he won four gold medals.[31]
Joseph Wheeler Plantation Hillsboro Northern Historic house Former home of Confederate General Joseph Wheeler, also known as Pond Spring
Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art Auburn East central Art Part of Auburn University, 19th and 20th century American and European Art
Karl C. Harrison Museum of George Washington Columbiana Central Biographical website, art and artifacts from the colonial period through 1865 related to the George Washington family
Kathryn Tucker Windham Museum Thomasville Southwestern Biographical Dedicated to journalist, photographer and storyteller Kathryn Tucker Windham, on the Alabama Southern Community College campus.
Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts Florence Northwestern Art website
Landmark Park Dothan Southeastern 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
Lee County Historical Society Museum Loachapoka East central Local history website, includes a frontier cabin, blacksmith shop, jail, and 20th century doctors office/pharmacy/soda fountain and post office
Magnolia Grove Greensboro Southwestern Historic house Antebellum mansion, best known as home of Rear Admiral Richmond Pearson Hobson
Mann Wildlife Learning Museum Montgomery Central Natural history website, part of Montgomery Zoo
Marietta Johnson Museum Fairhope Gulf Coast Biographical website, dedicated to educator Marietta Johnson
Mary G. Hardin Center for Cultural Arts Gadsden Northeastern Multiple website, includes three galleries with changing art exhibits, Imagination Place Children's Museum.
McWane Science Center Birmingham Central Science Includes Native American artifacts, minerals and fossils from the former Red Mountain Museum, Challenger Learning Center, aquarium, hands-on science exhibits
Mercedes-Benz Visitor's Center & Museum Vance West central Automotive website
Mobile Carnival Museum Mobile Gulf Coast Local history Chronicles over 300 years of Carnival and Mardi Gras in Mobile
Mobile Medical Museum Mobile Gulf Coast Medical website
Mobile Museum of Art Mobile Gulf Coast Art
Monroe County Heritage Museums Monroeville Southwestern Multiple website, includes Old Courthouse Museum, Rikard’s Mill Historical Park, Alabama River Museum
Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts Montgomery Central Art 19th- and 20th-century American paintings and sculpture, Southern regional art, Old Master prints and decorative arts
The MOOseum Montgomery Central Industry website, cattle industry in Alabama
Moundville Archaeological Museum Moundville West central Native American Part of University of Alabama
Museum of Mobile Mobile Gulf Coast Local history
National African American Archives and Museum Mobile Gulf Coast African American Themes include slavery, African American contributions in Mobile, Alabama and the United States.
National Voting Rights Museum Selma Southwestern History / African American website
North Alabama Railroad Museum Chase Northern Railroad Features a rolling stock collection, a small train station and a small heritage railroad
Northport Heritage Museum Northport West central Local history website
Oakleigh Historic Complex Mobile Gulf Coast Historic house Includes the Oakleigh Mansion, Cox-Deasy House, a former slave quarters, and the Minnie Mitchell Archives.[32]
Old Alabama Town Montgomery Central Living history Collection of historically significant buildings, brought together as a living history museum.[33]
Old Cahawba Archaeological Park Orrville Central Open air Ghost town archaeological park with exhibits in the Welcome Center
Old Courthouse Museum Monroeville Southwestern Local history website, exhibits include the Old Monroe County Courthouse history, exhibits on local authors Truman Capote and Harper Lee.
Paul W. Bryant Museum Tuscaloosa West central Biographical Football coach Bear Bryant
Phoenix Fire Museum Mobile Gulf Coast Firefighting website
Pope's Tavern Museum Florence Northwestern Historic house website
Richards DAR House Museum Mobile Gulf Coast Historic house website
Rickwood Field Birmingham Central Sports Oldest surviving professional baseball park in the United States
Rikard’s Mill Historical Park Beatrice Southwestern Local history Operating water-powered grist mill and museum[34]
Rosa Parks Library and Museum Montgomery Central History / African American Dedicated to Rosa Parks, on the Troy University campus[35]
Rosenbaum House Florence Northwestern Historic house Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright
Samuel Ullman Museum Birmingham Central Biographical website, operated by The University of Alabama at Birmingham
Sci-Quest Huntsville Northern Science website
Scottsboro-Jackson Heritage Center Scottsboro Northeastern Local history website
Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark Birmingham Central Industry
Southern Environmental Center Birmingham Central Natural history Located on the campus of Birmingham-Southern College.[36]
Southern Museum of Flight Birmingham Central Aviation
State Black Archives Research Center & Museum Huntsville Northern African American website, part of Alabama A&M University
Stevenson Railroad Depot Museum Stevenson Northeastern Railroad website
Sturdivant Hall Selma Southwestern Historic house Mid 19th century Greek Revival mansion
Tuskegee Human and Civil Rights Multicultural Center Tuskegee East central History / African American website
United States Army Aviation Museum Fort Rucker Southeastern Aviation Located on Fort Rucker, features large collection of helicopters
United States Space & Rocket Center Huntsville Northern Aerospace Science, rocketry and space exploration
Vaughan-Smitherman Museum Selma Southwestern Local history Depicts Selma’s history until about 1960
Veterans Memorial Museum Huntsville Northern Military website
Vulcan Park and Museum Birmingham Central Industry website
W. C. Handy Home, Museum & Library Florence Northwestern Biographical Birthplace of W. C. Handy, a blues composer and musician, often called the "Father of the Blues"[37]
Weeden House Museum Huntsville Northern Historic house website
Westervelt Warner Museum of American Art Tuscaloosa West central Art American art
Wiregrass Museum of Art Dothan Southeastern Art website
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Defunct museums

Name Town/City Region Type Summary
George and Lurleen Wallace Museum Montgomery Central Biographical Dedicated to the lives of former Alabama governor's George Wallace and Lurleen B. Wallace[38]
Ma'Cille's Museum of Miscellanea Gordo West central Multiple ,[39]article
Tom Mann's Fish World Eufaula Southeastern Sports closed in 2004[40]
The Water Course Clanton Central Science Closed in 2012[41]
The Grand Gallery Exhibition Hall of the Alabama Museum of Natural History in Tuscaloosa
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See also

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References

  1. ^ "Alabama Judicial Building Tour: AOC Museum Area". Alabama Judicial System Online. Retrieved 2009-12-11. 
  2. ^ "Alabama Constitution Village". Earlyworks Museum Complex, Huntsville, Alabama. Retrieved 2009-12-11. 
  3. ^ "Museum Tours Are Free!". Alabama Department of Archives and History. Retrieved 2009-12-11. 
  4. ^ "Tours of the Governor's Mansion". Official site of Alabama's First Lady:Patsy Riley. Retrieved 2009-12-11. 
  5. ^ "About". Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame. Retrieved 2009-12-11. 
  6. ^ "Museum". Alabama Museum of Health Sciences. Retrieved 2009-12-11. 
  7. ^ "Welcome". Alabama Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 2009-12-11. 
  8. ^ "About". Alabama Music Hall of Fame. Retrieved 2009-12-11. 
  9. ^ "Rural Heritage Center, Thomaston, Alabama". Alabama Rural Heritage Center. Retrieved 2009-12-11. 
  10. ^ "Welcome to The Alabama Sports Hall of Fame". Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved 2009-12-11. 
  11. ^ "Alabama State Capitol". Alabama Historical Commission. Retrieved 2009-12-11. 
  12. ^ "American Sport Art Museum & Archives". United States Sports Academy. Retrieved 2009-12-11. 
  13. ^ "About the Anniston Museum of Natural History". Anniston Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 2009-12-11. [dead link]
  14. ^ "Arlington Antebellum Home & Gardens". City of Birmingham. Retrieved 2009-12-11. 
  15. ^ "Welcome". Ave Maria Grotto. Retrieved 2009-12-11. 
  16. ^ "Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum". Barber Motorsports Park. Retrieved 2009-12-12. 
  17. ^ "The Battle-Friedman House and Gardens". Historic Tuscaloosa. Retrieved 2009-12-12. [dead link]
  18. ^ "About the park". USS Alabama Battleship. Retrieved 2009-12-12. 
  19. ^ "Welcome to Bellingrath Gardens and Home!". Bellingrath Gardens and Home. Retrieved 2009-12-12. 
  20. ^ "About". Bessemer Hall of History. Retrieved 2009-12-12. 
  21. ^ "Exhibitions". Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. Retrieved 2009-12-12. 
  22. ^ "Collection Overview". Birmingham Museum of Art. Retrieved 2009-12-12. 
  23. ^ "Bluff Hall". Alabama Tourism Department - Official Web Site. Retrieved 2009-12-12. 
  24. ^ "Tuskegee Institute". National Park Service. Retrieved 2009-12-12. 
  25. ^ "History of the Mansion". Bragg-Mitchell Mansion. Retrieved 2007-01-03. [dead link]
  26. ^ "Buena Vista Mansion". Museums USA. Retrieved 2010-01-23. 
  27. ^ "School History". "Murphy High School Alumni Association". Retrieved 2009-12-12. [dead link]
  28. ^ [1]
  29. ^ [2]
  30. ^ Kazek, Kelly (May 22, 2013). "Alabama's 3 known existing Civil War-era depots: What are they now?". The Huntsville Times (Huntsville, AL: Advance Publications). Retrieved May 22, 2013. 
  31. ^ website
  32. ^ "Oakleigh House Museum". "Historic Mobile Preservation Society". Retrieved 2007-12-02. 
  33. ^ website
  34. ^ [3]
  35. ^ website
  36. ^ [4]
  37. ^ [5]
  38. ^ http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/30 Roadside America report
  39. ^ http://www.roadsideamerica.com/news/5597
  40. ^ http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2016 Roadside America report
  41. ^ http://www.clantonadvertiser.com/2012/06/12/water-course-utilizes-last-days/ Water Course utilizes last days of operation, Clayton Advertiser, June 12, 2012
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Last modified on 22 May 2013, at 20:07