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Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion
1305 Greesnsboro Ave., Tuscaloosa
Photograph by Barry Fikes

This magnificent Italianate house was built in 1859-1862 by Senator Robert Jemison Jr. to serve as his town house. The architect was John Stewart from Philadelphia, who along with his partner, Samuel Sloan, designed Bryce Hospital. The Jemison Mansion was incomplete when the Civil War erupted, causing many finishing touches to be left undone. Most of the building materials came from Jemison’s extensive plantations, and the majority of construction was performed by skilled slaves under the supervision of Philadelphia craftsmen. The house was ahead of its time technologically: it was the first in Tuscaloosa to have a fully plumbed bathroom and even had its own gas plant to provide gas for illumination. After serving for a period as the city library, it was acquired by the Tuscaloosa County Preservation Society and the Heritage Commission of Tuscaloosa. A joint board was set up to oversee restoration of the house, which is ongoing. The Tuscaloosa Convention and Visitor’s Bureau has its offices in the basement of the house. The main floor has been carefully restored to its original 1860s appearance, and it is available to the public for weddings, parties and receptions. For more information contact the House Manager, Jemison Van de Graaff Mansion, 1305 Greensboro Ave., or call (205) 758-2906.

Admission is free to the public

Click here for rental information

Shirley Place
512 Main Ave., Northport

This brick, raised cottage in downtown Northport was built in about 1840 by James Shirley, an early settler from South Carolina. The house later passed to the Christian family through James Shirley’s sister, and is still maintained as a private residence. Many of the original doors, locks and fireplaces are still in use.

Tours by appointment only, (205) 349-1617

Northport Train Depot
25th Ave., Northport

The former GM&O railway station was acquired by the City of Northport in 1995. Under the auspices of the Northport Historic Preservation Commission and the Black Warrior Model Railroad Association, in 1999 the structure opened as a model railroad museum.

Admission is free to the public, Saturdays from 9-12

First African Baptist Church
2621 Stillman Blvd., Tuscaloosa

The congregation was organized in November 1866 and met elsewhere until the present church was built in 1907. The building is a replica of the chapel that burned at Tuskegee. Built entirely by men of the church, the interior is especially beautiful, featuring many stained glass windows. Led by pastor T.Y. Rogers, the First African Baptist Church was the center of important civil rights activities in Tuscaloosa during the early 1960s.

Foster-Glascock-Gatozzi House
1109 21st Ave.

Built in 1844 by one of Tuscaloosa’s leading antebellum merchants, the Foster-Glascock-Gatozzi House was extensively remodelled as a Gothic Revival Style cottage in the 1850s. Once a popular building style, it is one of only three remaining in Tuscaloosa County. Recently removed off the endangered list, this charming cottage has been renovated for use as a business.

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