Arlington Antebellum Home & Gardens — Attraction in Birmingham

The Arlington House was a very interesting thing to see. I went on a day trip with a group of about 20 on a charter bus. We had pre-arranged our trip so we did not have to wait at all to see it. The house also had an unattached kitchen and a carriage house. There were six acres with lots of gardens. Because we went in December only the kitchen Gardens had a lot in them. And I think we actually ate greens in our lunch there. They had a very good film to watch before entering the house. It went through the history of the house. Then we were escorted into the front hall of the house and our escort left us. I wish she had stayed to answer questions. The rooms were roped off to protect the contents but you could clearly see everything in the room. There were little cards here in there pointing out some of the more interesting items. They had cut out a section of the floor and the adjacent wall and then glassed over the cutouts so we could see how the house was put together. Our tour included a lovely lunch prepared on site and served to us. Since this was a day trip our price was all inclusive and I don't know exactly how much of it was paid to see the house. Be sure to see the kitchen house if you go and find out why the path from the house to the kitchen is called the...

Visiting Arlington House in Birmingham was a complex experience—both fascinating and heavy with history. The house itself is a well-preserved example of Southern antebellum architecture, and the grounds are beautifully maintained. However, as a Black visitor, I couldn't help but feel the weight of its past.

Arlington was once a plantation, and while the site does a good job of highlighting the historical significance of the home, I would have liked to see a deeper acknowledgment of the enslaved people who lived and labored there. Their stories are just as important as those of the wealthy white families who occupied the house.

That said, walking through the rooms and seeing the period furniture, artifacts, and historical documents gave me a strong sense of Birmingham’s history. It was a reminder of how far we’ve come and how much further we have to go in telling a more complete version of the past.

If you visit, I recommend taking the time to reflect on the untold stories that spaces like this hold. Arlington House is worth seeing, but I hope to see a more inclusive approach to its history...

As an african american the antebellum era is often a painful reminder of a bitter past . I feel like for people of color; it's also a testament of how far we've come & how we're growing. It's proof that Dr. Kings dream has become a reality, not just for people of color but for all God's children. We now can sit at the table of brotherhood with love in our hearts & respect for our difference. I received a warm southern hospitality welcome from chef Matthew Murphy & director Toby Richards, I had a great time! I ate good food, picked pecans & herbs. I walked the 6 acres! Amazing experience in the middle of covid. I would encourage anyone to visit. Experience the past of arlington, leave & become part of the dream dr king talked about. Let's uplift & support each other. There's only one family, the human...