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7 museums you need to visit in Montgomery, including the Museum of Fine Arts
ByZoe Hall
While the days are warming up, one of the best ways to stay cool and spend the day solo or with friends and family is to visit some of the museums available in Montgomery. Here are some of our favorites to visit:
1. Legacy Museum/EJI
Since it opened in 2018, The Equal Justice Initiative’s Legacy Museum in Montgomery has been a powerful reminder of the country’s history with slavery and racial injustice. Built on the site of a former warehouse where enslaved people were imprisoned, the 11,000-square-foot museum traverses the history of racial inequality in America, from the enslavement of African-Americans to racial terror lynchings and more.
The Legacy Museum exists in conjunction with the National Memorial to Peace and Justice, a memorial that includes 805 hanging steel rectangles—a visual reminder representing each county in the United States with a documented lynching.
- Address: 115 Coosa St. Montgomery, AL 36104
- Contact: 334.386.9100 | Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
2. Museum of Fine Arts
Founded in 1930, the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts houses several art collections, including 19th and 20th century American paintings and sculptures, regional art, Old Master Prints and decorative arts.
The outdoor garden or large lake make for great lunch side scenery with your friends or family on your day off, or you can enjoy one of their several events. MMFA holds several events, including the upcoming ArtTalk on April 29, as well as programs for kids and adults alike. One of these programs is called Garden Fun and allows participants to enjoy outdoor games. It will continue each Thursday through Saturday until May 30.
- Address: 1 Museum Dr. Montgomery, AL 36117
- Contact: 334.625.4333 | Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
3. Fitzgerald House
As a literary fan I was so excited to visit the historical Jazz Age family home of F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife, Zelda. The Fitzgeralds lived in the home from 1931 until 1932, and even wrote portions of their novels “Save Me the Waltz” and “Tender is the Night” during their time in Montgomery. Now, it is the only museum in the world dedicated to their legacies, containing art and books.
Their current hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Address: 919 Felder Ave, Montgomery, AL 36106
- Contact: 334.264.4222 | Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
4. Rosa Parks Museum
Troy University’s houses the memorial to civil rights icon Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Located in downtown Montgomery where Parks was arrested, the museum exhibits a number of artifacts including the original arrest record of Parks, a Montgomery city bus, even a “rolling church” that was used to transport protestors. Virtual tours are also available.
- Address: 252 Montgomery St, Montgomery, AL 36104
- Contact: 334.241.8615 | Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
5. Freedom Riders Museum
This museum is at the site of the attack on participants of the 1961 Freedom Ride, which was the Montgomery Greyhound Bus Station. Now, it holds a historic marker and artifacts of this events.
As one of the sites on the Civil Rights Trail, the museum holds award winning exhibits about the Riders’ journey throughout the south, as well as images and voices from Riders, those who supported and opposed the Riders and witnesses to the attack at Greyhound Bus Station.
6. Hank Williams Museum
Experience the life of Hank Williams, country singer turned music superstar, at the Hank Williams Museum. Inside, you’ll find a complete collection of Hank Williams memorabilia. Some of what is showcased at the museum that you can see while visiting is Hank’s one-of-a-kind 1952 baby blue Cadillac and over a dozen of his iconic suits.
- Address: 118 Commerce St, Montgomery, AL 36104
- Contact: 334.262.3600 | Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
7. Museum of Alabama
With more than 800 artifacts, the Museum of Alabama is the only museum explores Alabama’s full history, from the 1700s to the 21st century. It also holds the nation’s oldest archival and historical agency. Some of the exhibits include The Land of Alabama, and the newest addition called Alabama Voices.
- Address: 142-158 S Union St, Montgomery, AL 36104
- Contact: 334.242.4435 | Website | Facebook | Twitter
These are just a few of the museums to visit while you’re in Montgomery that are incredibly enriching in their experience and culture. For more great museums in Alabama, check out these in Mobile.
What’s your favorite museum in Montgomery? Tag us @thebamabuzz to let us know!
