Montgomery, Alabama played a pivotal part in not only the history of the South, but the history of the United States. The city has not forgetten its historical past. A visit to the city certainly affords a chance to see history at every turn, and some modern attractions than can only be seen here.
Sitting at the crossroads of I-85 and I-65 in the
southeastern part of Alabama is a city that
has played a major part in the history of the United States. This city was pivotal during the battle over
civil rights during the 1950’s. However,
its historical role in American history dates back to the Civil War. The city is Montgomery, Alabama.
This city has played host to many famous figures. From Rosa Parks and George Wallace to
Jefferson Davis and Martin Luther King, Jr., it is easy to feel the history that
has made Montgomery
what it is today.
In fact, when you tour this city of over 200,000 residents,
it is easy to find yourself viewing modern skyscrapers housing banks and
lawyers offices in one direction, and historic streets and buildings in the other. For anyone who wants to experience the
history that took place in the South, and the United
States, a visit to Montgomery,
Alabama is a requirement.
Of course, Montgomery
has more to offer than just the history of the past. This thriving city is also creating some
history of its own. With new museums,
parks, and attractions, it is easy to make a trip to Montgomery and event all by itself!
History
Alabama State Capitol—For
the history buff, the first stop in this city should be to the beautiful Capitol Building
of the State of Alabama. This building may be the current center of
state government for Alabama,
but at one time it served as a center of business for another government: The
Confederacy.
It was in this building that Jefferson Davis took the oath
of office for the Confederate States of America. In addition, the steps of this magnificent
building are where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. finished the famous civil
rights march from Selma to Montgomery.
Today, visitors can see the historic chambers of the Senate
and House of Representatives, as well as old Supreme Court Chambers. Walking through this building is truly a walk
back in time.
Rosa Parks Library
and Museum—Rosa Parks sparked the Montgomery
bus boycott in 1955 by refusing to give up her seat on the bus to a white
passenger. The ensuing boycott literally
brought to the city to its knees.
Today, visitors to the museum can walk back in time to
experience those events firsthand. They
can walk through a recreated scene of the street, as well as view a replica of
the bus that Rose Parks rode on that fateful day. In addition, exhibits and films bring to life
the sights and sounds of a major event in the civil rights era.
Dexter King Memorial
Baptist Church—Another landmark of the civil rights era, and the Montgomery
Bus Boycott, is the Dexter
King Memorial
Baptist Church. Here, you can tour the church where Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. preached some of his famous sermons. In addition, the church was a hub of activity
for the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
First White House of
the Confederacy—Visitors to this home can experience where Jefferson Davis
and his family lived at the beginning of the Confederacy. The historic home gives a feel of life for
Jefferson Davis as he ran the southern states.
Many of the artifacts in the home were actually used by Davis and his
family when they lived here.
Old Alabama Town—For
those history buffs that truly want to experience life in Alabama in the late
19th and early 20th centuries, walking through Old Town
Alabama is the way to do it. Here,
visitors receive guided tours through a 6-block town. They visit over 40 buildings, including a
schoolhouse, cotton gin, and living quarters.
The tour guides are even dressed in costumes reflecting the time period.
Hank Williams Museum—Hank
Williams called Montgomery
home from 1937 to 1953. Inside the
museum, visitors can live or relive the life, times, and music of this
legendary singer. The museum also
features the 1952 Cadillac in which his body was carried to his final resting
place at Oakwood Cemetery about 5 minutes from the
museum.
Alabama Department of
Archives and History—Alabama
has the oldest state-funded archives in the nation. Inside this marble building completed in 1940
Attractions
Blount Cultural Park—The
Blount Cultural Park is truly a unique oasis in this modern city. This lavish and expansive park is designed
after a beautiful English countryside.
The park features lakes, gardens, pavilions, and trails.
The park is home to three world-class attractions that
should be a must see for anyone who visits Montgomery: The Shakespeare Garden, The
Alabama Shakespeare Festival, and the Montgomery Museum of Fine Art.
The Shakespeare Garden is one of seven such gardens in the United States. The garden is filled with various types of
flowers mentioned in the plays of William Shakespeare. The garden features beautiful roses, 8,000
narcissus bulbs, honeysuckle, violas, marigolds, poppies, and many others.
The Alabama Shakespeare Festival is the fifth largest
Shakespeare Festival in the world. The
festival attracts over 200,000 visitors each year to the $21.5 million Carolyn
Blount Theatre. The theatre, which was
built in 1983, has two stages which can seat a total of over 1,000 people. The beautiful building was constructed with
over one million bricks.
The third attraction in the Blount Cultural
Park is the Montgomery
Museum of Fine Art. This museum is the
oldest in the state of Alabama. The facility houses several collections. The Blount Collection is an assortment of 19th
and 20th century paintings by such artists as John Singleton Copley,
John Singer, and Winslow Homer. Also in
this collection of 3,000 paintings are works by Durer, Rembrandt, whistler, and
Picasso.
The museum also has collections featuring 18th
century Worcester Porcelain and 19th century Chinese wares. In addition, visitors can Artworks, a
hands-on gallery and art studio for children.
The facility even includes a café for visitors to enjoy a bite to eat.
For anyone who is interested in art, culture, and certainly
experiencing the living history of the United
States, then a trip to Montgomery, Alabama
is a must. After spending a few days in
the city, you will definitely have a better understanding of so much that has
shaped the way in which we live today.