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Learn more about Historic Tuscaloosa's property, the Old Tavern. The Old Tavern has been listed in the National Register as a historic site. Old Tavern 500 Nicks Kids Avenue Tuscaloosa, AL 35403 Brief History The Old Tavern was built in 1827 by William Dunton, a local hotel keeper of early Tuscaloosa. Through the years, the structure has been a tavern, a stagecoach inn, and a residence. The Old Tavern illustrates several French influences. There are French designs, such as an overhanging balcony, an asymmetrical plan, and an exterior chimney breast. The layout of The Old Tavern consists of six rooms— three upstairs and three downstairs— with a narrow staircase connecting. The kitchen was once held in the basement but was later abandoned after the inn was moved to its current location. During the nineteenth century, The Old Tavern played host to many individuals, such as weary travelers, Civil War soldiers, and members of the state legislature. Several state committee meetings were held under this roof. The state’s 7th Governor, John Gayle, even temporarily called The Old Tavern “home” during his administration, from 1831-1835. The property was used as a hotel tavern until 1882, when it was sold to the Robert Wilson family as their residence. During much of the 1900's, the Old Tavern was used as a private residence. It was the home of Taylor Robinson, a violinist, from 1900-1930. During the 1930's the Tavern was photographed and evaluated by the Historic American Building Survey. It may have had several other residents through the mid-1900's years. But by the 1960's the Tavern and her history were in danger. In 1964, Miss Emma Wilson sold The Old Tavern to Egerton Harris, Jr., who deeded it to Historic Tuscaloosa. Due to bridge construction, Historic Tuscaloosa was forced to move the tavern to a new location or see its destruction. In 1966, with the help of citizens, money was raised to move The Old Tavern to its current home in Capitol Park. Saving the Tavern In 1966, the Old Tavern was in danger of being demolished and forgotten. The Hugh Thomas Bridge over the Black Warrior River was being built and the Tavern's location put it right in the middle of the construction bustle. A group of Tuscaloosa citizens formed and raised funds and volunteers to move the Tavern from its location on University Blvd. to Capitol Park where now resides. During the move and further construction of the Thomas Bridge, numerous artifacts where discovered at the Old Tavern original site and are now on display inside the tavern. Significant People William Dunton: The Old Tavern was built in 1827 by William Dunton. Dunton was a successful hotelkeeper in early Tuscaloosa. In addition to The Old Tavern, he also managed the Golden Ball Hotel (located where the restaurant DePalma’s now stands). S.A.M. Wood: Sterling Alexander Martin Wood was born in Florence, Alabama on March 17, 1823. As a young adult, Wood practiced law in Tennessee, served in the Alabama legislature, and was a newspaper editor. When the nation became divided by the Civil War, Wood enlisted in the Confederate Army as part of the “Florence Guard” on April 3, 1861. Wood took part in numerous battles and campaigns, including the Battle of Shiloh, Battle of Pennyville, Battle of Stones River, Tullahoma Campaign, and the Battle of Chickamauga. During the Civil War, The Old Tavern was host to many Confederate soldiers, including Wood. After he and his family were forced from their Florence home by Union troops, they decided to flee to Tuscaloosa and temporarily moved into The Old Tavern. Wood later made his home in Tuscaloosa, where he became a state representative for Tuscaloosa County. Wood died in Tuscaloosa on July 26, 1891. John Gayle: John Gayle was the 7th Governor of the state of Alabama, from 1831 to 1835. During his term as Governor, the state bank was expanded, Alabama’s first railroad, the Tuscumbia Railway, was completed, and The Bell Factory, the state's first textile mill, was incorporated. During his administration, the capitol of Alabama was Tuscaloosa and Gayle made his home, briefly, at The Old Tavern. He also served in the United States House of Representatives from 1847 to 1849. Gayle died on July 21, 1859, at the age of 66 in Mobile, Alabama. Wilson Family: The Old Tavern was used as a hotel tavern until 1882, when it was sold to the Robert Wilson family as their residence. The home remained in the family until 1964. Miss Emma Wilson sold The Old Tavern to Egerton Harris, Jr. who deeded it to the Tuscaloosa County Preservation Society. Visit the Tavern The Tavern is available for touring every Tuesday-Friday at 1:30 pm. Click here to learn more Tour Virtually Tour in Person What They’re Saying About Us HANNAH T. Had a great afternoon adventure touring the Old Tavern and the Capitol Park next door with my mom and sister! The Old Tavern was full of historical tidbits and knock knacks. We learned a lot about Tuscaloosa’s early history and place in the Alabama political realm too. STACY S. Great place to see how things were in Tuscaloosa in the 1800's and what it was like when Tuscaloosa was the state capital. APRIL W. My wife took me to The Old Tavern Museum as she knows I love history. The museum has a great tour guide and it is laid back when you visit. I'd definitely recommend visiting if you're in Tuscaloosa, or interested in Alabama or southern history. Want to add a review from your trip to see the Old Tavern? Leave your review for us on our Trip Advisor page. Review Us Peek Inside Look around the inside and outside of the Old Tavern with our interactive tool below. You can read stories, see pictures and different views of the building, and learn interesting facts about its history. If you're looking for more information on the Tavern, make sure to click the "Tour Virtually" link above.

Accessibility A Special Welcome to Guests with Disabilities and Their Families See below for exact building accessibility information. Service animals are permitted in all buildings. Visitors with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations or modifications to assist them in accessing Historic Tuscaloosa's programs, services, and facilities. These requests can be made by contacting the main office at 205-758-2238 Guests with wheelchairs will find the streets, most gardens, and outdoor activities in the Historic Area accessible. While ramps are available at selected exhibitions, many of the historic buildings require at least a few steps. Many of the exhibition buildings have second floors that are interpreted, and stairs are often steep and narrow. Wheelchair-accessible Restroom Locations The only location that has wheelchair-accessible restrooms is the Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion. Battle-Friedman House | DISABILITY ACCOMADATION Battle-Friedman House and Gardens endeavor to provide reasonable accommodations and to ensure equal access to all visitors with disabilities. Due to the configuration of the house and the inability to make modifications to a protected building, issue may arise for visitors with mobility concerns. A good access point for wheelchairs is on the right side (when facing the house) of the house, near the kitchens. Parking for visitors with mobility issues is available. Jemison-Van de Graff Mansion | DISABILITY ACCOMADATION The Jemison-Van de Graff Mansion endeavor to provide reasonable accommodations and to ensure equal access to all visitors with disabilities. Due to the configuration of the house and the inability to make modifications to a protected building, issue may arise for visitors with mobility concerns. A good access point for wheelchairs is on the right side (when facing the house) of the house, near the kitchens. Parking for visitors with mobility issues is available. Rules The rules help the museum maintain and preserve this historic site. Do not touch: Please do not handle objects, touch the woodwork or furnishings, lean against the walls, or sit on the furniture. Please do not try to open any drawers or doors. Visitors must be accompanied at all times by a museum guide: Groups must stay together. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the grounds or in the building. Leave large items outside or in your car: The museum does not take responsibility for the safety of any personal items left by visitors at the site. Photography: Photography is allowed at all Historic Tuscaloosa sites, but for personal use only. Any photographs intended for anything other than for personal use requires contact with the event coordinator or Director of Historic Tuscaloosa. No food is allowed during the tour. No running during the tour.

00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000005 In the News... We work hard to get our efforts noticed by the media and are so proud when this goal comes to fruition. Take a look at some of our latest coverage and help spread the word about all the amazing developments at Historic Tuscaloosa!!

Enjoy a rare opportunity to step inside some of South Louisiana’s most historic plantations and sites. This year’s ramble will take Historic Tuscaloosa to five stunning River Road Louisiana plantations, that are situated along the Mississippi River in between Baton Rouge and New Orleans 🤩 Share Share Register Now

17949ba1-e337-4f44-bd3b-e45399c1a182 In the News... We work hard to get our efforts noticed by the media and are so proud when this goal comes to fruition. Take a look at some of our latest coverage and help spread the word about all the amazing developments at Historic Tuscaloosa!!

Don’t miss out on our exclusive events, discounts, and lectures. Members are always the first to know whenever there is something new happening at Historic Tuscaloosa, and they enjoy exclusive events as well. Get great benefits, discounts and savings by becoming a member of Historic Tuscaloosa. Membership: Be a part of Living History Our members are what keep Historic Tuscaloosa alive. Members help run our society through a recommendation board and donate their time and efforts to help us preserve our historical sites. Our members enjoy free tours of all Society structures, free admission to lectures, and premier access to Society sponsored events, such as our annual homes tours, fundraisers, member-only parties, and our yearly Ramble trip. We would love to have you as a member of Historic Tuscaloosa! The purpose of the Society shall be to develop an awareness and appreciation of the historical and cultural heritage of Tuscaloosa County Its objectives are as follows: To seek to educate all citizens of the county about its heritage To collect, organize, and catalog information and materials related to local heritage To encourage and participate in the identification and preservation of old homes, buildings, and historic sites throughout Tuscaloosa County and to promote the use and appreciation of these assets To encourage tourism by arranging and organizing tours and pilgrimages To involve local governments, educational institutions, and other organizations in specific projects promoting the purpose of the Society. Membership Membership in the Society is open to anyone interested in historical preservation. A person who is current in payment of membership dues established by the Society is a voting member. Honorary membership is a title that may be conferred upon any person, with the approval of the Board of Directors, who should receive special recognition for valued service in the preservation of Tuscaloosa County’s heritage. Honorary membership is non-voting. Your membership includes many benefits. Click here for a description of our Membership levels and related benefits. It takes a community to preserve one! You can also renew a membership or join the Society by calling during our office hours: 9am to 4pm Tuesday through Friday at 205-758-2238 Remember that you can give the gift of history, too! Historic Tuscaloosa Regular Activities / Events Lecture Series – A series of monthly lectures are offered to the public during the summer. Topics address people, places, and events of local historical interest. Holiday Open Houses – Historic Tuscaloosa structures are decorated by local garden clubs and will be open to the public on a selected Sunday in early December each year. Rambles – The Historic Tuscaloosa “Rambles” by bus to a nearby city each spring to tour historical homes and other structures. Families and experts are available to share background and details. The 2022 Ramble was to Columbus, MS, and other recent trips have been to such locations as Camden, Huntsville, Selma, Marion, and Greensboro. An overnight Ramble is under way for Spring 2023. Century Club Party – In the spring of each year, a special event is planned to honor members of the Century Club. Structures – The Old Tavern, the Battle-Friedman House, and the Jemison Mansion are open daily for tours. The Murphy-Collins House is open daily, Tuesday-Friday, and tours can be arranged by appointment. Want to Join? Do you already know you want to be a part of our mission? Whether you are new to the area or a Tuscaloosa native, we'd love to have you in our society. CLICK HERE to join Historic Tuscaloosa!

Take a look at our virtual tour video to learn about 3 of the properties we maintain, the Old Tavern, the Battle-Friedman House, and the Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion. 200 years of TUSCALOOSA HISTORY Right here, on your device. Scroll Down Virtual Tours of Our Buildings Virtual tours of our Old Tavern building, the Battle-Friedman House, and the Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion are accessible right here on our website for those who cannot visit with us in person. These virtual tours feature the highlights of each building and an optional comprehension quiz for educational users. VIRTUAL TOURS Tour Now Battle-Friedman House Built in 1835, this Tuscaloosa landmark has been home to two amazing families with fascinating personal stories and powerful influence over the shaping of Tuscaloosa history. Tour Now Jemison-Van de Graaff Manison Built in 1862, this mansion was originally a vacation home. Now, it boasts a rich history of famous icons such as the first Alabama All-American and the Father of Modern Physics. Tour Now The Old Tavern Built in 1827 during the time when Tuscaloosa was the Capitol of Alabama, this tavern has served as an inn, a home, and a gathering place to the city of Tuscaloosa for almost 200 years.

00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000001 In the News... We work hard to get our efforts noticed by the media and are so proud when this goal comes to fruition. Take a look at some of our latest coverage and help spread the word about all the amazing developments at Historic Tuscaloosa!!

This past Friday, August 26, we were thrilled to host our New Member Reception at the beautiful Old Tavern — a perfect setting to welcome new faces and celebrate the incredible community that makes up Historic Tuscaloosa. New Member Reception August 26, 2025 This past Friday, August 26, we were thrilled to host our New Member Reception at the beautiful Old Tavern — a perfect setting to welcome new faces and celebrate the incredible community that makes up Historic Tuscaloosa. 1/1

The Battle-Friedman House & Gardens event/wedding photography collection: Portraits Portraits Load More

Historic Tuscaloosa’s 2024 Century Club Party was on April 25, 2024 at 1 North Pinehurst Drive. Century Club Party 2024 Thanks to our wonderful and hospitable hosts, Paul and Angie Moreton, we had a lovely evening at our annual Century Club Party on Thursday, April 25, 2024. 🙏 We would also like to thank our very own Cal Wilson for again providing beautiful floral arrangements for this event. 😍💐 Our Century Club party was held at 1 Pinehurst Drive. Paul and Angie Moreton, the owners of this magnificent home, were awarded a Brick-and-Mortar Award in 2022 for their time, effort, and dedication to its restoration. 👏 We were thrilled to have the opportunity to see the inside of this Prairie-style home! 🤩🙌 1 Pinehurst Drive (Fitts House) was the former home of lumberman and banker William F. Fitts. Constructed in 1915, it is an example of Prairie-style Architecture. The initials W.F.F., a remnant of the original owner, are still very visible on the terrazzo flooring on the front porch. 🔎 We learned that the Prairie style celebrates the long, low landscape of the Midwest. Its most defining characteristic is its emphasis on the horizontal rather than the vertical. Prairie homes spread out over their lots, featuring flat or shallow hipped roof lines, rows of windows, overhanging eaves, and bands of stone, wood, or brick across the surface. Thin Roman bricks sometimes enhance the effect, and cantilevers often extend the horizontal line without vertical support. Even the unwelcome verticals of downspouts are either eliminated or carefully placed.

Every event we organize is unique in its own way, and we’re happy to share some of the highlights from past fundraisers. Take a look at the gallery to get a better idea of what you can expect at our upcoming event. We hope you can join us in supporting our cause. GREETINGS CLICK BELOW TO SEE PHOTOS FROM OUR EVENTS 2022 PROGRESSIVE DINNER | VIEW ALL 2022 ANNUAL AWARDS RECEPTION | VIEW ALL 2022 RAMBLE TO COLUMBUS | VIEW ALL 2022 LECTURE SERIES | VIEW ALL 2022 HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE | VIEW ALL 2022 PINE & PROSECCO | VIEW ALL 2023 CENTURY CLUB PARTY | VIEW ALL 2024 CENTURY CLUB PARTY | VIEW ALL 2025 WALKING TOUR | VIEW ALL 2025 LECTURE SERIES | 1 OF 4 2025 LECTURE SERIES | 2 OF 4 2025 ANNUAL AWARDS RECEPTION | VIEW ALL 2025 LECTURE SERIES | 3 OF 4 2025 LECTURE SERIES | 4 OF 4 2025 NEW MEMBER RECEPTION 2025 HAUNTING TUSCALOOSA