Gulf Shores Museum: Preserving Coastal History

The Gulf Shores Museum offers a glimpse into the rich history of this Alabama coastal town. Housed in a charming beach cottage dating back to before World War II, the museum building itself has historical significance, having been a family home originally located on West Beach. The Cole family donated the building to the City of Gulf Shores after Hurricane Frederic in 1979. The museum's exhibits tell the stories of the people, lives, and livelihoods that have shaped Gulf Shores. Permanent exhibits include: "Portrait of a Fishing Village," which tells of the families who settled the area along the north side of Little Lagoon during the 19th Century; "Drawing a Line in the Sand," a commemorative exhibit created for the city's 50th anniversary in 2007; and "Hurricanes: What You Need to Know," an exhibit where visitors can learn about the origination of hurricanes, the devastation they create, and how a community rebuilds. The hurricane exhibit includes an interactive display where you can fly through the eye of a hurricane. In addition to the exhibits inside, the museum also features a butterfly-shaped garden with a 40-foot ship mast built in 1940 from a Louisiana pine. The Oyster Bay Baptist Church donated a steeple to watch over the garden.