Alabama History

Return to the roots of Alabama’s greats. See sprawling plantations and humble cabins tucked away in the rolling hillsides or seated along the mouth of the Mobile Bay. In the Gulf Coast region, discover Mobile’s well-preserved homes, from the Greek Revival style of Oakleigh to the Italianate style of the Richards DAR House.

Head to Clanton in the Lake Eufaula region and visit the Octagon House, the only octagon-style architecture remaining in the state. Eufaula is home to Alabama’s oldest annual tour of homes.

In Tuskegee, pay tribute to Booker T. Washington and Tuskegee University at The Oaks. The 1899 home was built by students and faculty with bricks made by the students.

Or walk in the footsteps of courage at Ivy Green in Tuscumbia, where Helen Keller was born. Built in 1820, the site hosts a performance of The Miracle Worker each summer to retell her remarkable story.

Take a step into history at any of Alabama’s Civil War historical sites. You can stand on the spot where Jefferson Davis received the oath of office for president of the Confederate States of America or tour the First White House of the Confederacy.

East of Clanton, the 103-acre Confederate Memorial Park began as the only home for Confederate veterans. Today, you can see uniforms, weapons and graves, and learn about the old soldiers who spent their lives there. Some 18 reenactments take place annually across the state.

The Alabama Civil War Trail has listings for dozens of museums, cemeteries and battlefield sites.

A melting pot in the South, Alabama is home to French, Italian, Greek, German and other worldwide influences. La Mobile was founded in 1702, and its French heritage is seen in the oldest Mardi Gras festival and the architecture. Birmingham's welding history has brought hundreds of thousands of immigrants through the Magic City, lending to a food-Mecca of Greek meat-and-threes, a Southern staple. Huntsville's history is rich with German influence, home to delicious German food, visit the Space and Rocket Center or see a show at the Von Braun Center.

Alabama celebrates its 200th birthday by honoring the state's rich history, beautiful places, and diverse people. Bicentennial events and activities will be held across Alabama's 67 counties to commemorate its path to statehood. From small towns to big cities and mountains to coastlines, every inch of Alabama is unique and by "Discovering Our Places" ALABAMA 200 is focusing on just that in 2017. In 2018, "Honoring Our People" will highlight those who made Alabama great. Storytelling will be the center of the celebration in Alabama's 200th year as, in 2019, "Sharing Our Stories" will present Alabamians' timeless experiences.

Explore Alabama's rich Native American history at the Indian Mound and Museum in Florence. The mound is the largest domiciliary mound in the Tennessee Valley, and the museum houses a large collection of Native American relics found in the area, with chronological displays and explanations of artifacts.

In Fort Mitchell, check out the Chattahoochee Indian Heritage Center. Journey to Danville for the Oakville Indian Mounds Education Center or to Moundville Archaeological Park near Tuscaloosa. Horseshoe Bend National Military Park, located near Dadeville, is where Gen. Andrew Jackson defeated Chief Menawa and the Upper, or Red Stick, Creeks in 1814.

Whether you're looking to hear the whistle of an old steam engine racing down the tracks or want to visit a reconstructed Native American village, you'll find it all in Alabama. Our diverse museums and historic places chronicle natural history, the struggle for civil rights, art from across the centuries and many other topics that could keep history buffs busy for years. Alabama boasts 1,200 sites listed in the National Register of Historic Places, including 36 National Historic Landmarks and one National Monument.

View our list of Historic Sites and Museums.