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The Alabama Department of Archives and History (ADAH) has been the home of...
The Alabama Department of Archives and History (ADAH) has been the home of Alabama history for more than a century. It is the nation's oldest state-funded, independent archival and historical agency. Located in downtown Montgomery across the street from the capitol, the ADAH is the official government records repository for the state, a private collections library and research facility, and also home to the Museum of Alabama, the state's history museum.
The Museum of Alabama is the only destination where you can explore Alabama's past from prehistory to the present. Permanent exhibitions at the Museum of Alabama include The Land of Alabama, introducing the geology and natural resources that helped shape the state's history, and The First Alabamians, featuring artifacts, murals, and a diorama that tell the inspiring story of fourteen thousand years of Native American culture.
An entirely new centerpiece exhibition called Alabama Voices opened in February 2014. This exhibition covers the dramatic unfolding of Alabama history from the dawn of the 1700s to the beginning of the 21st century.
More than 800 artifacts, hundreds of images and documents, and twenty-two audiovisual programs tell the story of struggles over the land, the rise of a cotton economy, the Civil War, industrialization, world wars, civil rights, the race to the moon, and more. Voices taken from diaries, letters, speeches, songs, and other sources convey the experiences of Alabamians who lived through and shaped the history of these periods.
The Museum of Alabama provides interactive educational resources for children and families in the Hands-On-Gallery and Grandma's Attic. Here, families and children can dress in period costumes, play with toys from bygone eras, make their own crafts, listen to stories, and much more.
The Museum of Alabama is open Monday-Saturday, 8:30-4:30 and admission is always FREE!
Visit our Research Room, open Tuesday-Friday and the second Saturday of each month from 8:30-4:30, to learn more about your family's contribution to Alabama's history. Get expert guidance from our staff, work with original records and online resources, and start building your family tree. Come find your story!
I took students to Montgomery to see the Capitol and visit historical spots from the Civil Rights Movement. One of the State Troopers in Capitol suggested that we visit the State... read more
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1 review
I took students to Montgomery to see the Capitol and visit historical spots from the Civil Rights Movement. One of the State Troopers in Capitol suggested that we visit the State Archives. I was amazed at the "Alabama Voices" exhibit. From Native Americans to Colonization to the Civil War to the Great Depression to WWII to modern day Alabama icons,...
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Thank Jenny D
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Contributor
20 reviews
9 attraction reviews
3 helpful votes
Very nice with hands on kids room. It had lots of information about Alabama very nice displays it was 3 storys so spend
Thank Becky K
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Contributor
141 reviews
55 attraction reviews
50 helpful votes
To be free, I can't complain. We went in on a whim and it had a lot of information, more than I expected, but I think we've just been to too many state museums and it felt a little redundant. It would be a good place to take older kids though. There's a lot of displays for older kids and...
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Thank gtaylor05
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Contributor
108 reviews
61 attraction reviews
36 helpful votes
This is such a wonderful museum and really shows how great Alabama truly is. It was the first archives museum...even before one opened in DC! Be prepared to spend a few hours in here...you'll want to! It's my favorite museum in Montgomery!
Thank Holly I
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100 reviews
10 attraction reviews
13 helpful votes
Was very surprised to see such a nice museum. Wish the archives were open on Saturdays, but will try during the week.
Thank Chris I
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We are happy to hear that you enjoyed the Museum of Alabama! The museum is open every Saturday from 8:30 to 4:30 and the Research Room is open every second Saturday, also from 8:30 to 4:30. During the week, the Research Room is open Tuesday through Friday. In the future, we hope to be able to expand the Research Room's...
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Contributor
38 reviews
12 attraction reviews
9 helpful votes
This is a great place to take the family to see a very detailed and well organized presentation of Alabama history, from Creek indians to modern day civil rights activity. Helped someone from the West understand a bit more behind the history. And its free!
Thank TravelerTads
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Contributor
14 reviews
7 attraction reviews
1 helpful vote
This is one of those places where they want you to touch and interact with history! My grandkids loved it and weren't ready to leave! This is one we will have to revisit!
Thank CherylABentley
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Contributor
15 reviews
8 attraction reviews
1 helpful vote
I have enjoyed going to the ADOAH. So much information is there. I just had to take my grandson there so that he can grow in wisdom and remember that his grandmother took him to the Alabama Department of Archives and History. He had a ball and later we invited my other family members to come with us and they...
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Thank Laura B
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44 reviews
35 attraction reviews
5 helpful votes
Loved the part about Creeks. How white men took over their territory was explained well. The gift shop was pricey but i generally like the museum. They invite to pokemon go ^-^.
Thank Ülkü Hüma A
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Contributor
6 reviews
4 attraction reviews
1 helpful vote
Current exhibitions regarding first Alabamians, slavery, civil war and industrial expansion are all things we should be well informed about. I'm excited to return and check out the research room.
1
Thank April G
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