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Gorgas House Museum: A Step Back in Time

Explore the history of the University of Alabama and the legacy of the Gorgas family in the oldest building on campus, dating back to 1829.

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The Gorgas House Museum, built in 1829, is the oldest structure on the University of Alabama campus. It served as a dining hall, hotel, and residence before becoming a museum dedicated to the Gorgas family, who lived there from 1879-1953. It offers a glimpse into 19th-century life and the history of the university.

A brief summary to Gorgas House Museum

Local tips

  • Check the Gorgas House Museum website for the most up-to-date information on hours, special events, and potential closures due to university holidays or events.
  • Combine your visit with a tour of the nearby Alabama Museum of Natural History or the Paul W. Bryant Museum to delve deeper into Alabama's history and culture.
  • Consider visiting on a Saturday when parking in faculty/staff spaces is free (except on UA Gameday Saturdays). Bama Parking still enforces Residential and Reserved parking spaces.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From the Quadrangle on the University of Alabama campus, walk west toward Capstone Drive. The Gorgas House Museum is located at 810 Capstone Drive, just off the Quadrangle, one block west of the Amelia Gayle Gorgas Library, at the corner of McCorvey and Capstone Drives. It's easily accessible on foot from most points on campus.

  • Public Transport

    If arriving via the Tuscaloosa Transit Authority bus system, disembark at the University Boulevard at Capstone Drive stop. From there, walk north on Capstone Drive for about 0.2 miles. The Gorgas House Museum will be located on your left at 810 Capstone Dr. The bus fare is $1 for adults.

  • Driving

    From University Boulevard, turn onto Capstone Drive. The Gorgas House Museum is located at 810 Capstone Drive. Parking is available in the North Ten Hoor and Student Center parking decks for $5 on weekdays. Parking in Faculty/Staff parking spaces are free on Saturdays (except on UA Gameday Saturdays). Note that Bama Parking still enforces Residential and Reserved parking spaces.

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Discover more about Gorgas House Museum

Step into the past at the Gorgas House Museum, a beautifully preserved landmark on the University of Alabama campus. Constructed in 1829, this building is the oldest structure on campus and a silent witness to the university's evolution. Originally designed by architect William Nichols, the Gorgas House stands as a testament to early Alabama architecture and offers visitors a unique glimpse into 19th-century life. Initially, the building functioned as a student dining hall, a campus hotel, and the residence for the university's steward. In the 1840s, it transitioned into a faculty residence. Remarkably, the Gorgas House is one of only four buildings to survive the burning of the university by Union troops in 1865 during the Civil War. The museum is named in honor of the Gorgas family, who resided in the house from 1879 to 1953. Josiah Gorgas was the eighth president of the University of Alabama, and his wife, Amelia Gayle Gorgas, served as the university librarian. The museum houses original Gorgas furnishings, memorabilia, and a collection of 19th-century artifacts. Visitors can explore the rooms and imagine the lives of the Gorgas family and the events that unfolded within its walls. The exhibits delve into the university's founding, its role in the Civil War, and the contributions of the Gorgas family.

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