7 of the most unique museums across Alabama

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

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

Did we leave your favorite Alabama museum off this list? Tag us on Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn and let us know. And make sure you subscribe to our newsletter, we’ll bring more like this straight to your inbox.