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Butler-Harris Rainwater Museum: A Victorian Era Glimpse

Discover Victorian life at the Butler-Harris Rainwater Museum in Childersburg, Alabama, showcasing local history and family stories in a preserved 1894 home.

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Step back in time at the Butler-Harris Rainwater Museum, a beautifully preserved Eastlake-style Victorian home built in 1894 in Childersburg, Alabama. Explore the lives of the Butler, Harris, and Rainwater families through period furnishings and historical artifacts.

A brief summary to Butler-Harris Rainwater Museum

Local tips

  • Call ahead to schedule your visit, as the museum is open by appointment only; contact (256) 378-5521 to arrange a tour.
  • Check local listings for special events, such as historical reenactments or seasonal celebrations.
  • Combine your visit with a trip to nearby attractions like the Kymulga Grist Mill and Covered Bridge or the Majestic Caverns.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    The Butler-Harris Rainwater Museum is at the corner of 1st St SW and 10th Ave SW in Childersburg. If you're in downtown, it's an easy walk. From City Hall, walk south on 1st Street SW for about three blocks. The museum is on your left, atop a small hill.

  • Driving

    If driving from US-280, turn onto 1st Street SW in Childersburg. Continue until you reach 10th Avenue SW. The museum will be on the corner. Parking is available near the museum. Check for any local parking restrictions upon arrival.

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Discover more about Butler-Harris Rainwater Museum

The Butler-Harris Rainwater Museum, a well-maintained Victorian home, provides a window into Childersburg's past. Constructed in 1894 in the Eastlake style, the house was a wedding gift from George Butler to his son, Charles. The Butlers were a prominent family in Childersburg, known for their mercantile store, livery stable, and civic involvement. In 1922, Mrs. J.A. Harris purchased the home, and in 1923, her daughter Virginia married Earl A. Rainwater. The Harris and Rainwater families resided in the home for much of the 20th century. Mrs. Virginia Rainwater lived there until 1992. The City of Childersburg acquired the property in 1993 and the Childersburg Historic Preservation Commission restored it into a museum. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 16, 1996. The museum showcases the lives of the Butler, Harris, and Rainwater families, along with the history of Childersburg. Period furnishings, photographs, and documents fill each room, illustrating the lives of local pioneers and the town's development. Visitors can explore the master bedroom and nursery, gaining insight into daily life during the Victorian era. The museum also serves as a cultural center, hosting events and educational programs.

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