Condé-Charlotte Museum: A Tapestry of Mobile History

The Condé-Charlotte Museum, often called the Kirkbride house, stands as a testament to Mobile's rich and complex history. The building itself has lived many lives, beginning in 1822 as the city's first jail and courthouse. In 1850, Jonathan and Elizabeth Kirkbride transformed the structure into their family home, incorporating remnants of the original jail into the design. Today, the museum showcases Mobile's history under five flags: French, British, Spanish, Confederate, and American. Each room is decorated to represent a different period, with furnishings carefully researched for authenticity. Visitors can explore a British Commandant's room, an American Federal dining room, Confederate parlors, a French sitting room and bedroom, and American bedrooms. The museum also features a walled Spanish garden and a kitchen filled with late 19th and early 20th-century equipment. One of the museum's unique features is the visible remains of the old jail, including cell doors and a portion of the jail foundation. An opening in the floor reveals a two-foot-thick brick floor from the 1820s. The museum also houses the Jean-Simon Chaudron silver tea set, a unique and true historic treasure. Guided tours, lasting between 45 and 60 minutes, provide an insightful journey through Mobile's past.