Adults and children can enjoy a variety of entertaining educational exhibits at the History Museum of Mobile. The exhibits have been carefully chosen and curated to bring the history of Mobile, Alabama, to life through interesting artifacts, fascinating stories, and the museum’s many interactive and audio exhibits.

Museum Features Temporary and Permanent Exhibits

The History Museum of Mobile features permanent and temporary exhibits. Its permanent exhibits include the 700-square foot Confederate Naval history gallery highlighting a cannon from the CSS Alabama, the Mary Jane Slaton Inge Gallery, the Friedman Miniature House Gallery, the Walls and Halls gallery, and two Old Ways New Days exhibits.

Past temporary exhibits have explored everything from the colorful history of Mardi Grass to an investigation into the Mystery of the Mayan Medallion. The best way to find out about current and upcoming exhibits is to contact with the museum online or by phone.

History of the Museum

The History Museum of Mobile has a storied past of its own. Construction began in 1855 and ended in 1857, and the building is now registered as a nationally-recognized historic landmark. Original uses of the building included housing for city government offices and a public marketplace.

The building was also the headquarters of Alabama’s Mobile Cadets, a military unit that served in the Mexican War and the Civil War.

The Phoenix Fire Museum

Not all visitors to Mobile’s impressive history museum realize that it has a sister facility nearby. The Phoenix Fire Museum is a restored building that has historically been home to the Phoenix Volunteer Fire Company No. 6. This museum features a gallery of exhibits that detail the history of the area’s volunteer fire companies, which dates all the way back to 1838. It is located nearby at 203 South Claiborne St. and admission is free, so there’s no reason not to check it out after visiting the History Museum of Mobile.

The Bottom Line

Whether they’re visiting Mobile, have recently moved to the area, or are long-term residents who just haven’t had a chance to check out their own hometown’s attractions, museum visitors will find plenty of exhibits to hold their interests. Many even make repeat visits to check out new temporary exhibits or to show off their beloved city’s colorful past to friends from out of town. Given the museum’s reasonable rates, there’s really no reason not to head back for more.

Getting Here from There

There are a few routes that will take drivers from the History Museum of Mobile to the Hadley Law Firm office at 1120 Hillcrest Road, No. 1D in Mobile. The easiest is to take I-165 North to I-65 South. To get to I-165, head north on South Royal Street, turn right onto Government Street, and use either of the left two lanes to turn left at South Water Street, which will take drivers to the I-165.

Drive for 4.6 miles on I-165, then use any of the left three lanes to merge onto I-65 South toward Mobile via exit 1A. Stay on I-65 for 6 miles before taking exit three toward Airport Boulevard. Stay on Airport Boulevard for 3.6 miles and use the left two lanes to turn onto Hillcrest, where the destination will be found on the right.

If You’re Ready to Take a Stroll Through History

Take a stroll through history at the Mobile Carnival Museum, which highlights the history and tradition of Mardi Gras in the area.