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Oakleigh House Museum: A Glimpse into Mobile's Antebellum Past

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

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Step back in time at Oakleigh House Museum, a beautifully preserved 1833 Greek Revival mansion in Mobile, Alabama's Oakleigh Garden District. Explore 19th-century Southern life through period furnishings, exquisite art, and stories of the families who lived here, both free and enslaved.

A brief summary to Oakleigh House Museum

Local tips

  • Arrive early for the first tour of the day to avoid crowds and have a more intimate experience.
  • Wear comfortable shoes, as the tour involves walking and standing.
  • Check the Historic Mobile Preservation Society website for special events or holiday decorations.
  • Visit other nearby historic homes in the Oakleigh Garden District for a comprehensive view of Mobile's past.
  • Take advantage of the free parking available behind the museum on Roper Street.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From the intersection of Government Street and George Street, head south on George Street 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. Walk one block on Savannah Street, which dead-ends into Oakleigh Place. Turn right onto Oakleigh Place, and the parking lot in front of the Minnie Mitchell Archives Building will be on your right. The sidewalk to the left of the archives building will lead you to the Oakleigh House Museum. This walk is approximately 10-15 minutes.

  • Public Transport

    Take a local Wave Transit bus route that services the Government Street corridor. Get off at a stop near George Street and 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. Walk one block on Savannah Street, which dead-ends 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, offers a captivating journey into the city's rich history. Built in 1833 by James W. Roper, this stunning Greek Revival mansion stands as one of the finest examples of its kind in the United States. The name 'Oakleigh' evokes the oak-laden meadow upon which it was built. As you approach Oakleigh, you'll be struck by its grandeur and elegance. The house is a raised, galleried villa, with a unique T-shape that promotes cross-ventilation in Mobile's humid climate. Inside, you'll discover authentic period rooms filled with a vast collection of decorative and fine art from 1830-1900, including the Conning silver collection, Haviland Limoge china, and artworks by Sully, Heutis, and West. Oakleigh's history is intertwined with the story of Mobile itself. The house witnessed the rise of King Cotton, the expansion of the railroad, deadly epidemics, the Civil War, and emancipation. Through exhibits and guided tours, Oakleigh tells the stories of the people who lived and worked here, both free and enslaved, offering a nuanced perspective on the past. The Oakleigh Historic Complex includes the Union Barracks, built in 1867, which provides insight into the Reconstruction era. The Cox-Deasy Cottage, a Creole raised cottage built in 1850, showcases a unique architectural style of the Gulf Coast. The Minnie Mitchell Archives houses a vast collection of maps, documents, photographs, and artifacts related to Mobile's history.

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