3 museums you need to visit in Florence, Alabama

For a small city of under 40,000, Florence, Alabama holds some intriguing hidden treasures. For instance, Florence is known as “Alabama’s Renaissance City”, due to the annual Alabama Renaissance Faire! Additionally, Florence is home to Alabama’s oldest public college—The University of North Alabama. But that’s not all—we took a look at three of the city’s must-visit museums!

1. Florence Indian Mound & Museum

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• Contact: 256.760.6427 | Website
• Address: 1028 South Court Street, Florence, AL 35630

Located near the riverside, the Florence Indian Mound & Museum is home to the largest collection of Native American artifacts in the entire state of Alabama. The museum showcases millennia-old tools, pottery, jewelry and much more, collected at Native American sites throughout the Tennessee River Valley.

In addition to the museum, this site is home to a stunning, 43-foot mound built by Native Americans between AD 100 and 500. Be sure to take the staircase to see the breathtaking view from the top!

2. Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts

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• Contact: 256.760.6479 | Website | Facebook | Instagram
• Address: 217 East Tuscaloosa Street, Florence, AL 35630

Located in downtown Florence, the Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts features artwork and sculptures from a variety of creators. The center began in 1975, when Reverend Hiram Kennedy Douglass converted his home into an arts center for the City of Florence. In fact, one portion of the museum displays certificates of some of Hiram’s greatest achievements, such as Hiram’s role as an active member of the Society of Americans of Royal Descent. To add to the museum, there is also a mini shop included that has creative souvenirs and custom-made gifts for sale for those who want to show that they’ve visited one of the coolest museums in Florence!

3. Pope’s Tavern Museum

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• Contact: 256.760.6439 | Website | Facebook
• Address: 203 Hermitage Drive, Florence, AL 35630

Open the door to Pope’s Tavern Museum, located in downtown Florence, to step into an accurate preservation of a historic inn & stagecoach stop. Although the original building burned down, the current structure was built in the mid-1800s. The museum examines the history of Florence and the building itself, which has served as an inn, a private residence (including the residence of Alabama Governor Robert Patton) and more. As one of the most historic sites in Florence, Pope’s Tavern Museum is definitely a must-see for locals and visitors alike.

What is your favorite art museum in Florence? Tag us @thebamabuzz to let us know!