Sturdivant Hall: Selma's Antebellum Masterpiece

Sturdivant Hall, a magnificent Greek Revival mansion in Selma, Alabama, offers a captivating glimpse into the antebellum South. Completed in 1856, the house, also known as the Watts-Parkman-Gillman House, was designed by Thomas Helm Lee for Colonel Edward T. Watts, a wealthy planter. The mansion quickly became a symbol of Watts's wealth, featuring elaborate craftsmanship and imported materials. The construction cost approximately $69,900 at the time. The Watts family lived at Sturdivant Hall until 1864 when they sold it to John McGee Parkman, a local banker. Parkman's time at the hall was short and tragic; he died during an attempted escape from prison after facing financial difficulties. In 1870, Emile Gillman, a prominent Selma merchant, purchased the house. The Gillman family owned the house until 1957, when the City of Selma purchased it. A significant portion of the funds came from a bequest from Robert Daniel Sturdivant, stipulating that the mansion be used as a museum. Today, Sturdivant Hall Museum features period antique furnishings, porcelain and doll collections, and an impressive array of art. Visitors can take guided tours of the mansion, learning about its history, architecture, and former residents. The formal gardens provide a peaceful setting for a stroll. Sturdivant Hall is also rumored to be haunted by the ghost of John Parkman. Sturdivant Hall is located within Selma's Old Town Historic District, which features over 1,200 historic structures dating back to the 1820s.