Reviewed by: Caleb Turrentine
7 of the most unique museums across Alabama
Reading time: 4 minutes
Alabama is a historical state full of interesting little corners that someone, somewhere, puts a lot of effort into preserving and maintaining for us to learn more about. We wanted to shout those people out by rounding up seven museums in Alabama that we’re pretty sure you can’t find anywhere else.
Ave Maria Grotto – Cullman
The Ave Maria Grotto in Cullman is a 90-year-old collection of 125 stone and cement replicas of major religious sites around the world. The figures sit on the grounds of the St. Bernard Abbey, the only men’s benedictine monastery in the state. The replicas are the handiwork of Brother Joseph Zoetl, O.S.B., who lived + worked at the Abbey for over 70 years, handmaking these replicas in his spare time.
- Address: 1600 St Bernard Dr, Cullman, AL 35055
- Hours: Mon-Sat: 9AM-5PM | Sun: 11:30AM-5PM
- Cost: $10 for adults | Ticket prices for teens, kids, seniors + veterans can be found here.
- Website
Agriculture Museum in Landmark Park – Dothan
Nestled inside the 130+ sprawling acres of historic Landmark Park, the 6,000-sq. ft. agricultural museum on park property provides visitors a further glimpse into 19th and 20th-century farm life.
- Address: 430 Landmark Dr, Dothan, AL 36303
- Hours: Tues-Sat: 9AM-5PM | Sun: 12-5PM | Closed Mon.
- Cost: Free with park admission ($5 for adults, $4 for kids)
- Website
The MOOseum – Montgomery
Aside from its delightful name, the MOOseum in Montgomery promises a day of dairy-filled-fun for the whole family. You’ll feel like a member of the Dutton family as you wander the grounds with a real-life cowboy as your tour guide. Oh and you get to pet a cow before you leave, too.
- Address: 201 S Bainbridge St, Montgomery, AL 36104
- Request a visit
- Website
Pope’s Tavern – Florence
The Pope’s Tavern Museum in Florence is a fantastic Civil War museum that highlights the real stories of people living in Florence immediately before, during + after the war. Built as a home in the 1830s, the Tavern Museum has been the site of an inn, a tavern, a hospital for Union and Confederate troops, a private residence + now a museum.
- Address: 203 Hermitage Dr, Florence, AL 35630
- Hours: Tues-Sat: 10AM-4PM
- Cost: $5 admission, $2 for students
- Website
Hollis Museum of Popular Culture in Birmingham
This private museum, was founded in 2008 by historian Tim Hollis, who wanted to keep all of his favorite things from his childhood, from GI Joe figurines to Kermit the Frog puppets, safe from obscurity. He collects artifacts from the 40s to the 80s, providing visitors with a glimpse into what childhood looked like for kids in that era. It’s open to the public by appointment only.
- Call to make an appointment: 205-648-6110
Old Cahawba Archaeological Park – Orrville
Step foot into Alabama’s most famous ghost town at Old Cahawba Archaeological Park. Nature meets history at this property full of ruins and artifacts, all with a backdrop of beautiful North Alabama scenery.
- Address: 9518 Cahaba Rd, Orrville, AL 36767
- Hours: 9AM-5PM daily
- Cost: $2 for adults, $1 for kids
- Website
Alabama Music Hall of Fame – Tuscumbia
I would be remiss if I did not mention the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, located in the birthplace of Hellen Keller, Tuscumbia. Since 1990, the museum has been celebrating the rich contributions of Alabamians to the music scene.
- Address: 617 US-72 W, Tuscumbia, AL 35674
- Hours: Tues-Sat: 10AM-5PM
- Cost: $15 – adults | $10 – students | kids: $8
- Website
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