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Condé-Charlotte Museum: A Window to Mobile's Past

Explore Mobile's layered history at this unique house museum, reflecting centuries of French, British, Spanish, and American influence.

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The Condé-Charlotte Museum in Mobile, AL, also known as the Kirkbride House, showcases the city's rich history under five flags: French, English, Spanish, Confederate, and American [4, 6]. Built on the foundation of Mobile's first jail, this historic house museum features period furnishings and architectural styles reflecting different eras [6, 8].

A brief summary to Condé-Charlotte Museum

  • Thursday 11 am-3:30 pm
  • Friday 11 am-3:30 pm
  • Saturday 11 am-3:30 pm

Local tips

  • Check the museum's website or call ahead for information on special events, such as living history demonstrations or guided tours [20].
  • Allow at least 1.5 to 2 hours to fully explore the museum and its exhibits [16].
  • Consider visiting during the Spanish Wine and Cheese Tasting event held in the museum's Spanish courtyard [10, 12].
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From Bienville Square in downtown Mobile, the Condé-Charlotte Museum is a 10-15 minute walk [5]. Head south on N Jackson Street and turn right onto Theatre Street. The museum will be on your left [5].

  • Public Transport

    The Mobile Transit Authority (MTA) offers bus routes that stop near the Condé-Charlotte Museum [5]. Check the MTA website or app for the most up-to-date schedules and routes. A single ride fare is typically around $1.25 [5].

  • Taxi/Ride-Share

    Taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are readily available in Mobile [5]. A ride from downtown to the Condé-Charlotte Museum will likely cost between $8 and $12, depending on traffic and demand [5]. Base taxi fare is $2.50, plus $2.06 per mile [9]. Provide the driver with the museum's address: 104 Theatre St, Mobile, AL 36602 [5].

  • Driving

    If driving, navigate to 104 Theatre St, Mobile, AL 36602 [15]. From I-10, take exit 26B for Water Street. Continue onto Water Street, then turn right onto Government Street. Turn left onto N Jackson Street, then turn right onto Theatre Street. The museum will be on your left [5]. Street parking is available, with hourly rates typically around $1.00 - $2.00, but can be limited during peak hours [5, 15]. Several parking lots are also located nearby [13, 14].

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Discover more about Condé-Charlotte Museum

The Condé-Charlotte Museum, located in the heart of Mobile, Alabama, offers visitors a unique glimpse into the city's multifaceted past [4, 7]. The building itself has a rich history, beginning its life in 1822 as Mobile's first courthouse and jail [4, 6]. In 1850, Jonathan Kirkbride transformed the structure into a family home, incorporating remnants of the old jail into the new design [6, 8]. Today, the museum stands as a testament to Mobile's diverse cultural influences, having been under the rule of France, England, Spain, the Confederacy, and the United States [4, 6]. This history is reflected in the museum's collection of antiques and period furnishings, each carefully chosen to represent a specific era [6, 16]. Visitors can explore rooms styled to represent different periods, including a British Commandant's room, an American Federal dining room, Confederate parlors, a French sitting room and bedroom, and American bedrooms [6, 7]. A highlight of the museum is the visible remnants of the original jail, including cell doors and a portion of the jail's foundation [7, 8]. The museum also features a walled Spanish courtyard and a kitchen filled with late 19th and early 20th-century equipment [6]. The Condé-Charlotte Museum is owned, preserved, and operated by The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in the State of Alabama [4, 7].

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