Alabama Department of Archives & History — Attraction in Montgomery

If there is any place to visit in Montgomery, this will definitely be one!

First and foremost, the admission is FREE. YES. FREE.

I was blown away by how beautiful this building is and it feels like I am in another dimension. I marveled at the marbled interior with majestic pillars, adorning sculptures and artwork along the hallway and wall. The people who work there love working there, that tells us a lot about a place itself.

I learned so much about the history of Alabama and their cultural influence by a generous display of artifacts. I was privileged to be shown a 'behind the scene' tour by a curator and get to see more things that stirred me up.

This building houses about 500,000 artifacts and are still actively archiving anything that helps put bits and fragments to make Alabama history as accurate and complete as possible.

Last but not least, admission is FREE. YES. FREE. Did I just say free? Yes I did and said it many times. With all the exhibits on display and their interactive and creative way of presenting these information, they charge nothing for it. This is a gem of a gem.

Being an international resident who lives here, I was a like a white paper on this state's history, though I know it was rich in history. After a tour in this building, rich is understatement, rather richly preserved with dignity, where past is inherited, meant to be learned and reflected upon in the present, and be used to shape a better future where history...

A Beautiful Landmark of a building greets you. You can't just drive by this one. I am going in I said to myself! But Archives? What would I want in the Archives, My family is all from Missouri and Iowa. But I went in anyway! And I am glad I did. The stature of the building, the marble stair cases, the lobby filled with Busts of prominent figures in Alabama history, the pleasant and on so helpful concierge (well he was a guard, but I wish all concierges were as helpful as he was) and the historical displays on the second floor were oh so interesting. I wish I would have had a couple more hours as I can almost bathe in the quality information about the history of this state. I always giggle a bit as it seems to me that every state and town across the south describes the pivotal battle of the Civil War. I wish all these story tellers could get together and figure out where that happened. but I digress. This museum on the second floor will hold ones attention and the docents seem so knowledgeable. I guess I need to know more about the...

Made an out of state genealogical request with an Archivist to check documents my family and I found relating to native Americans. A few days after submitting my $25 request I call and ask when I should expect an answer on my request the man says 2 weeks . 2 weeks go by and I hear nothing. I call to the museum again and I get transferred to an Archivist we have a pretty productive conversation about searching census records, 18th century history and native Americans. To follow up with my documents. He tells me to email him any additional details he will have to search. Another 2 weeks go by I call, no answer ,and leave a message. I never hear anything back from the Archivist ever again after that, mind you this was in February it's now the middle of May. I'm pretty sure I just gave you guys $25 for nothing. Guess I will have to come in person and search for myself since your archivists are not the men/ women that Alabama history is known for....