Bragg-Mitchell Mansion: A Glimpse into the Old South

The Bragg-Mitchell Mansion, an architectural icon of the Old South, stands as a testament to a bygone era of gracious living in Mobile, Alabama. Built in 1855 by Judge John Bragg, this 13,000-square-foot Greek Revival mansion was designed to host the city's lively social season, from Thanksgiving through Mardi Gras. The mansion is canopied by a grove of century-old oaks and furnished with fine antiques and crystal chandeliers. The mansion's history is intertwined with the Civil War. During the war, all the live oak trees on the property were cut down to give Confederate defenders a clear line of fire. The furnishings were removed and sent to Bragg's plantation in Lowndes County, only to be burned by Wilson's Raiders. The house remained in the Bragg family until 1880 and later passed through several owners. In the late 1970s, it was generously donated to the Explore Center with the intention of becoming a science museum. However, the Explore Center decided to build a separate science museum and instead renovated the Bragg-Mitchell Mansion to its antebellum grandeur. It reopened to the public in 1987 as a historic house museum and event center. Today, the mansion is available for weddings, receptions, parties, showers, dinners, and corporate functions. Visitors can take guided tours of the mansion and learn about its history and architecture. The mansion is also one of the most photographed buildings in Mobile.