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Condé-Charlotte Museum: A Tapestry of Mobile's History

Explore Mobile's captivating history through five flags at the Condé-Charlotte Museum, a gateway to the city's past and architectural gem.

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The Condé-Charlotte Museum in Mobile, Alabama, also known as the Kirkbride House, is a historic house museum that encapsulates the city's rich and diverse past. Built on the foundation of the city's first jail, it showcases Mobile's evolution under five flags: French, English, Spanish, Confederate, and American.

A brief summary to Condé-Charlotte Museum

Local tips

  • Check for special events or living history demonstrations that bring the museum to life.
  • Allow at least 1.5 to 2 hours to fully explore the museum and its gardens.
  • Take advantage of the guided tours to gain deeper insights into the history and significance of the artifacts.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From Bienville Square in downtown Mobile, head south on N Royal St towards Dauphin Street. Turn right onto Dauphin Street, then turn left onto Theatre Street. The Condé-Charlotte Museum will be on your left. The walk is approximately 5-10 minutes.

  • Public Transport

    WAVE Transit provides bus service in Mobile. Check the WAVE Transit website for the most up-to-date routes and schedules to the downtown area. From a downtown bus stop, the museum is a short walk. A single ride fare is $1.25.

  • Taxi/Ride-Share

    Taxi and ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are readily available in Mobile. A ride from the Mobile Regional Airport to the Condé-Charlotte Museum is approximately 20-30 minutes, depending on traffic, and typically costs between $25-$35. From downtown hotels, a taxi or ride-share will be less than $10.

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Discover more about Condé-Charlotte Museum

The Condé-Charlotte Museum, often called the Kirkbride House, stands as a testament to Mobile's layered history. Constructed in 1850 by Jonathan and Elizabeth Kirkbride, the house incorporates the foundation and even cell doors from Mobile's first jail, which was built on the site in 1822. This unique architectural feature offers a glimpse into the city's early days. The museum's exhibits are arranged to reflect the different periods of Mobile's past under various flags. Visitors can explore rooms representing the French, British, Spanish, Confederate, and American eras, each furnished with carefully researched and authentic antiques. These include a British Commandant's room, an American Federal dining room, Confederate parlors, a French sitting room and bedroom, and American bedrooms. Beyond the main house, a walled Spanish garden designed in the late 18th-century style and a kitchen filled with late 19th and early 20th-century equipment complement the historical narrative. The Condé-Charlotte Museum is owned, preserved, and operated by The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in the State of Alabama. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 12, 1973.

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