Welcome to

historic tuscaloosa

Welcome

Historic Tuscaloosa hopes you will find this site both useful and entertaining. It is designed to serve as a guide for visitors to Tuscaloosa County, as an introduction to discovering the county's history, and as an educational tool and resource center. We invite you to learn more about our colorful past and discover what makes Tuscaloosa County a special place.

Who We Are

Listeners in the Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion at a lecture

Who we are

Historic Tuscaloosa is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the Tuscaloosa area's heritage.

Founded in 1966, the Society's mission is to develop an awareness and appreciation of the historical and cultural heritage of our community.

We operate and maintain five historical landmarks:

The Old Tavern

Battle-Friedman House

Jemison- Van de Graaff Mansion

McGuire-Strickland House

Murphy African-American Museum

Learn More

Children listening to a tour guide on the front porch at the Battle-Friedman house

What we do

Preservation improvements: workers restoring parts of the Battle-Friedman home

Preserve Tuscaloosa

Saving Tuscaloosa's history for future generations one building at a time. Protecting, preserving, and reviving our city's historic sites is one of our main missions.

People sitting inside the Battle-Friedman House, listening to speaker, Frank White

Educate Citizens

From school tours to local lecture series, we're focused on bringing the past

back-to-life in fun and interesting ways for both today's and tomorrow's leaders.

Inside the Old Tavern there are tables and chairs

Keep History Alive

Record-keepers, archivists, and history nerds. We preserve more than just buildings. Visit our archive library in person or through our collaborative virtual site.

Historic Tuscaloosa member walking on a sidewalk up to a historic home

Local Involvement

With everything from annual open houses, to graveyard tours, to regional sightseeing trips, we stay involved with our members and the local community.

Wedding at Historic Tuscaloosa property, The Battle-Friedman House. Ceremony in front of home, when groom kissing bride

Private Events

Our historical buildings are a great location for your next event!

Support our mission and help keep our buildings alive by booking a party at one of our venues.

Three of our renowned homes are available for rent:

The Old Tavern is a quaint venue, perfect for small groups or intimate gatherings.

Our Battle-Friedman House and Gardens are splendid both inside and out for weddings, parties, ladies' lunches, meetings, and networking events.

The Jemison- Van de Graaff Mansion is our largest and most versatile location, ideal for every type of event.

We'd love to be a part of your gathering!

Learn More

Bridal portrait at the Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion

Stay Informed