The History Museum of Mobile

The city of Mobile, Alabama is a great place to explore the history of the South. If you love history and you're short on time to explore, the History Museum of Mobile is a great place to go to take in 300 years of knowledge and culture in a short trip. Just a one-hour drive from our Gulf Shores condos and Orange Beach rentals, you can visit the museum and still get back in time to go the beach. Alternatively, you can plan a night on the town in Mobile before heading back to your beach bungalow.

Exhibits & Artifacts

The building housing the History Museum of Mobile was built between 1855 and 1857 and is registered as a national historic landmark. The museum was originally used as a marketplace and as city government offices. The second floor was also used as the headquarters of the Mobile Cadets that served in the Mexican War and the Civil War. The building was designed to be an ornament to the city of Mobile and was constructed in Italianate style, boasting elegant archways and a beautiful courtyard and cupola.

The History Museum of Mobile houses over 90,000 artifacts that have been donated over the years including a Civil War canon, paintings, sculptures, miniature models of the mansions of Mobile, antique furniture, silver, and other fine artifacts such as porcelain, china, and crystal from the well-off in Old Mobile. Permanent exhibits include Old Ways New Days Part I & II that tell Mobile's story beginning with the Native Americans up to modern-day activities and industry. In addition to the permanent exhibits, the museum also features temporary exhibits. Check the museum's website to see what's currently on display.

Other Attractions & Amenities

The Phoenix Fire Museum, located just outside the history museum, is another great attraction that kids will enjoy. The building holds horse-drawn steam engines and early motorized vehicles that are on display. The building was once the home of the Phoenix Volunteer Fire Department and hold artifacts that tell the history of the volunteer fire departments of Mobile since 1838. The museum also contains the Jack Friend Research Library that is available to researches interested in reading about the social, political, and economic history of Mobile. The fire museum is only open on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The History Museum of Mobile is located downtown in the historic district and is open Tuesday-Saturday from 9am to 5pm. This Mobile history museum is just a short drive from our Orange Beach condos and Gulf Shores rentals, and makes for a great centerpiece of any Mobile-area museum and history tour. It also opens on Sundays from 1pm to 5pm. It is within walking distance of restaurants and other attractions. There is metered street parking available as well as several parking lots nearby. See the website for details. Admission for adults is $7 and students get in for $5.

The History Museum of Mobile
111 S. Royal Street
(251) 208-7569
www.museumofmobile.com