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Oakleigh House Museum: A Step Back in Time

Discover Mobile's captivating history at Oakleigh House Museum, a beautifully preserved 1833 Greek Revival mansion in the Oakleigh Garden Historic District.

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Experience 19th-century life at Oakleigh House Museum, a beautifully preserved 1833 Greek Revival mansion in Mobile, Alabama. Explore period furnishings, exquisite artwork, and captivating gardens while learning about the city's rich history.

A brief summary to Oakleigh House Museum

Local tips

  • Check the museum's calendar for special events, workshops, and festivals that offer unique perspectives on Mobile's history and culture.
  • Wear comfortable shoes, as the tour involves walking and standing. Note that the house is only accessible via stairs.
  • Explore the Oakleigh Garden Historic District surrounding the museum, known for its beautiful architecture and charming streets.
  • Take advantage of the free parking available behind the museum on Roper Street.
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Getting There

  • Driving

    From downtown Mobile, head west on Government Street. Turn left onto George Street and continue for three blocks until you reach Savannah Street. Turn right onto Savannah Street, then right again onto Oakleigh Place. The parking lot for the Minnie Mitchell Archives Building will be on your right. Additional parking is available on Roper Street behind the museum. Parking is free.

  • Public Transport

    The Wave Transit System provides bus service in Mobile. Several routes service the Government Street corridor. From the nearest bus stop along the Government Street corridor, orient yourself toward Savannah Street and Oakleigh Place. Walk south for three blocks until you reach the intersection of George and Savannah Streets. Turn right onto Savannah Street and you'll see Oakleigh directly in front of you. Travel one block on Savannah Street. Savannah Street will dead-end into Oakleigh Place. Turn right onto Oakleigh Place and continue to the parking lot in front of the Minnie Mitchell Archives Building. A single ride fare is $1.25.

  • Taxi/Ride-Share

    A taxi or ride-share from downtown Mobile to Oakleigh House Museum will typically cost between $8 and $15, depending on traffic and demand. Direct the driver to 300 Oakleigh Place, Mobile, AL 36604. The ride is usually short, around 5-10 minutes.

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Discover more about Oakleigh House Museum

Oakleigh House Museum, nestled in the Oakleigh Garden Historic District of Mobile, Alabama, stands as a testament to the city's rich and complex history. Built in 1833 by James W. Roper, a Virginian brick mason, dry goods merchant, and cotton factor, Oakleigh was one of Mobile's first major residences built outside the city limits. The name 'Oakleigh' evokes the oak-laden meadow upon which it was built. Designed in a distinctive T-shape, the house is one of the largest of its kind in Alabama, ingeniously crafted to maximize cross-ventilation for the region's humid subtropical climate. The lower level, originally a raised basement constructed from handmade bricks sourced from Roper's own clay pit, served as a workspace and storage area. The main living quarters are located on the second floor, accessed by a quarter-turn, cantilever staircase. Oakleigh has witnessed pivotal moments in Mobile's development, from its prosperity as a cotton port to the challenges of urban slavery, railroad expansion, deadly epidemics, the Civil War, and the subsequent era of emancipation. The museum's collection comprises over 1,000 artifacts dating from 1830 to 1900, offering a tangible connection to these events. Visitors can admire the Conning silver collection, Haviland Limoges china, and fine art pieces. The Oakleigh Historic Complex includes the Union Barracks, the Cox-Deasy Cottage, and the Minnie Mitchell Archives. The Union Barracks, built in 1867, tells the story of post-Emancipation life in Mobile. The Cox-Deasy Cottage, built in 1850, is a Creole raised cottage now serving as a program space for the Historic Mobile Preservation Society. The Minnie Mitchell Archives house the Historic Mobile Preservation Society's collection of Mobile maps, documents, family papers, photographs, rare books, newspaper clippings, memorabilia, and artifacts.

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