Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion
Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
About
Free Tours Offered Tuesday-Saturday at 3:30pm. The Jemison- Van de Graaff Mansion (constructed 1852-1862) was one of the last and most elaborate great houses to be built in Alabama before the devastation of the American Civil War. The mansion has had many families call it home over the past century and a half, including senators, lawyers, and physicists. It was even home to the Tuscaloosa Public Library for a time. The home was purchased by the Jemison- Van de Graaff Mansion Foundation in the late 1990's and restored fully to its 1862 original glory. It is now a pristine historical museum open to the public for tours and available for rent for events.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
23 reviews
Excellent
16
Very good
4
Average
2
Poor
1
Terrible
0
kimberly_006
Seoul, South Korea6 contributions
Jul 2014 • Friends
Two of my friends were visiting from out of town and I wanted to show them some historical sights in Tuscaloosa. The Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion was a big hit! My friend had a blast photographing the beautiful exterior and interior of the home and we all enjoyed learning more about the history of the house/Tuscaloosa. Ian, the current director of the museum, gave us an amazing tour of the whole house. He was very knowledgeable and obviously passionate about the house and overall restorative/conservation efforts in the community. The museum/tour was free, but we left a donation and urge visitors to do the same to keep the restoration process going! Highly recommend!
Written July 10, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BarbAWS
Frostburg, MD126 contributions
Jun 2017 • Couples
We just walked in off the street and very immediately taken on a tour just for us. The house is amazing and the stories about it are great. Highly recommend!!
Written June 17, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chickelbuck
Tuscaloosa, AL1,305 contributions
Mar 2015 • Family
The curators at Jemison are so knowledgeable about the home, they can give you a history lesson about the civil war, as well. Stepping into the home is stepping back into the late 1800's. I appreciated the descriptions of the different indigenous woods used in the bannister posts to the height of the celings to the reason it took so long for the home to be completed. Wow!
Written June 3, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
deb-e k
Atlanta, GA289 contributions
Nov 2014 • Friends
Welcomed at the door as if we were family. The docent explained all the rooms and was very amenable to questions. Take the time to look at everything... the doors, the ceilings, the floors, the paintings, the inside windows, etc. This is a piece of Southern history. The second floor has the first copper tub in the state. I can't imagine polishing it! The whole place is wonderful and I can picture a houseful of children and teenagers inhabiting it with their parents. A MUST when you are in Tuscaloosa!
Written November 30, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EBovary
The Deep South205 contributions
Sep 2014 • Business
I work for the University of Alabama, and we often rent the Jemison for events such as poetry readings. This place never fails to impress. It's a very well preserved example of Southern architecture, design and furniture from the 19th century. We're allowed to serve food and drink there, and the staff is good about providing chairs and other amenities. There's a spacious wrap-around porch and, you'll be glad to hear, modern bathrooms in the basement of the mansion. If I were to get married in this town, I'd have my reception here.
Written September 27, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lily
Kailua, HI62 contributions
Aug 2017 • Solo
It’s a beautiful building, antique furniture, some art and I enjoyed it. Not many people knows about it. The staff was friendly and it was free.
Written July 22, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cathy A
Narrows, Virginia, United States59 contributions
Jul 2017 • Family
We were in Tuscaloosa just stopping over on our way to Louisiana. We were wondering around about 7:00 p.m. and stumbled upon this mansion. Would have loved to have gone in it but they were closed for the day. Still it was worth stopping by to see it - it makes you feel like you are not alone if you know what I mean! Kinda creepy yet draws you... :)
Written July 28, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Melodycthomas
Long Island, NY1,460 contributions
Mar 2017 • Couples
You can only walk in for a daily tour at 1:30 or call ahead to schedule a time. This is not a spur of the moment place.
Written March 8, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tamsea
Monclova, OH138 contributions
Oct 2016 • Couples
There aren't many free tours out there so this was a nice surprise. And a tour guide makes or breaks a tour and Brandon was a great tour guide! He was interesting and relatable. We were too early for the 1:30 tour but he volunteered to take us early. Fun to learn about the families and history involved with this house.
Written October 7, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cindy H
Sanford, FL106 contributions
Jul 2016 • Friends
This house is in very good condition and while the furniture and accents are not original, they represent the time period. The is no charge to tour the home and the guide will answer any questions you have. If you research the house you will find that some claim "paranormal" activity in the home too. While we were visiting the area, the tour time was at 1:30pm daily, which was different than what we read online. My suggestion would be to call ahead to make sure. There are several other historical homes/sites in the close proximity so they stagger the times so the guides can get to each location; Battle-Friedman House, Drish House & the Tavern.
Written July 15, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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