Alice Vol. 4 No. 2

Capitol Park
At one point, the city of Tuscaloosa served as the Alabama
capital. From 1826-1846, Tuscaloosa boasted a picturesque
capitol building. The building was built in the Greek revival
style, complete with three wings and an expansive rotunda. The
building was only used as the Capitol Building for a few decades
and was later leased and used by Alabama Central Female College.
However, in 1923 the building was burned to the ground during a
fire which was started by routine maintenance repairs gone wrong.
Today, the site of the ruins is known as Capitol Park and can be
found on Sixth Street. The statuesque ruins create a haunting-yetcaptivating
scene and are ideal for peaceful observation.
Paul R. Jones Museum
Also located on Sixth Street, this local museum houses the
Paul R. Jones collection. The collection is composed of more
than 1700 pieces of African American art, and is said to be one of
the largest collections of African American art in the world. The
collection is special partly because of its mix of art by both well
and lesser known artists. The museum frequently collaborates
with local elementary schools, striving to teach students about
the importance of art in an exciting and educational environment.
Paul R. Jones Museum frequently presents exhibitions to the
public, showcasing artwork that celebrates black culture and
artistic achievement. The museum is open to the public weekdays
from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Murphy-Collins House/Museum
This quaint two-story green home is located on Bryant Drive
and serves as a historic relic frozen in time, as well as a museum
of African-American history. According to the Tuscaloosa
County Preservation Society, the home was built in the 1920s
by Tuscaloosa’s first black mortician Will J. Murphy. The home
was built using brick and included other materials salvaged from
The Old Capitol Building remains. The museum, although small,
includes a surplus of artifacts and materials to help one gain
insight into the past. The museum is open to the public Tuesday-
Friday, 10a.m- 3p.m.
Old Tavern Museum
Originally built in 1827, this building originally served as
an inn and tavern and was located on a stagecoach route which
passed through Tuscaloosa. One of the oldest hotels in the state,
the inn served as a resting place for soldiers, politicians, and other
important folks. The inn was occupied as a private residence by
several different families until it was restored in 1964 and later
opened as a museum. Located near the ruins of Capitol Park,
Old Tavern museum is a quintessential part of the history of
Tuscaloosa. Old Tavern Museum is open daily for guided tours
Tuesday- Saturday at 10:30 A.M.
The town of Tuscaloosa is shaped by the stories of its people
and it’s land. Visiting local museums and historic landmarks can
be sacred, almost like stepping back in time. History is sometimes
wonderful and sometimes horrible, but all stories are worth
recognizing in reverence of those who came before us. Every town
has a story, and Tuscaloosa’s story is one worth knowing!
90 Alice Spring 2019