Vaughan-Smitherman Museum: A Window into Selma's Soul

The Vaughan-Smitherman Museum, located in a striking Greek Revival building at 109 Union Street, stands as a testament to Selma's multifaceted history. Built in 1847 by the Selma Fraternal Lodge No. 27 of the Free and Accepted Masons, the building first served as a school for orphans and the children of indigent Masons. Over the years, the structure has been repurposed to meet the changing needs of the community, functioning as a Confederate hospital, a Freedman's Bureau Hospital (Selma's first African American Hospital), the Dallas County Courthouse, and a military school. In 1911, it became the Vaughan Memorial Hospital, named for Dr. Samuel Watkins Vaughan and his son, Henry White Vaughan, later becoming a museum in 1971. The museum is also named for Joseph T. Smitherman, who served as mayor and helped save the building from destruction.Today, the Vaughan-Smitherman Museum houses an array of exhibits that capture different eras of Selma's past. Visitors can explore collections of Civil War memorabilia, medical and political artifacts, Victorian antiques, and nationally acclaimed art by local artists. A highlight includes photographs by Spider Martin documenting the events of Bloody Sunday, a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement. The third floor recreates the old Vaughan Memorial Hospital, with restored rooms depicting the delivery room, nursery, and operating room.The museum also serves as a venue for events, with elegant furnishings and gardens suitable for weddings, receptions, and meetings. The building itself was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 20, 1975, recognizing its architectural and historical significance.