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Smith Hall: Alabama's Natural History Showcase

Discover Alabama's ancient past and natural wonders at the Alabama Museum of Natural History, housed in the historic Smith Hall on UA's campus.

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Smith Hall, home to the Alabama Museum of Natural History, is a captivating destination on the University of Alabama campus. Explore exhibits spanning the state's diverse natural history, from ancient fossils to the renowned Hodges meteorite, all within a stunning Beaux-Arts architectural setting.

A brief summary to Smith Hall

Local tips

  • Check the museum's website for special events, including paleontology workshops and family-friendly activities.
  • Take advantage of the free parking available in the lot behind Smith Hall for museum visitors.
  • Explore the University of Alabama campus and visit other nearby attractions, such as the Gorgas House Museum and the Paul W. Bryant Museum.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From the Ferguson Center on the University of Alabama campus, walk north along the main pedestrian paths. Pass the Gorgas Library on your left and continue toward the Quad. Smith Hall, with its distinctive colonnade, will be visible on the east side of the Quad. The museum entrance faces 6th Avenue. This is a straightforward walk of approximately 5-10 minutes.

  • Public Transport

    The Tuscaloosa Trolley provides service from downtown Tuscaloosa to the University of Alabama campus. From the Trolley stop on campus, follow the pedestrian paths towards the Quad. Smith Hall will be easily visible. Check the Tuscaloosa Transit Authority website for the Trolley's University Shuttle Route and schedule. A single ride fare is around $1.25.

  • Driving

    From University Boulevard, turn onto Hackberry Lane. Turn into the second parking lot on your left behind Smith Hall. There are five dedicated visitor parking spaces. Upon arrival, once you pay for admission ($5 for adults), you will receive a parking pass receipt that will entitle you to free parking in the museum visitor parking spaces. Alternatively, a parking deck is located at Campus Drive and Hackberry Lane. The cost for visitor parking in the deck is $1 for the first hour and $2 for each additional hour.

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Discover more about Smith Hall

Smith Hall, a landmark on the University of Alabama campus in Tuscaloosa, has housed the Alabama Museum of Natural History for over a century. Completed in 1909 and formally dedicated in 1910, the building itself is a significant historical and architectural monument. Named after Dr. Eugene Allen Smith, the state geologist who dedicated nearly 40 years to surveying and collecting specimens, Smith Hall stands as a testament to his passion and legacy. The building's design, in the Classical Revival style, features a striking colonnade of eight Ionic columns. Inside, the Atrium Gallery showcases a sweeping staircase crafted from Alabama marble and iron. This grand staircase leads to the Grand Gallery Exhibition Hall, a space adorned with ornate Corinthian columns and a glass roof that floods the interior with natural light. The Alabama Museum of Natural History, the state's oldest museum founded in 1831, presents Alabama's natural history through diverse exhibits. Visitors can explore collections relating to geology, zoology, mineralogy, paleontology, ethnology, history, and photography. Highlights include a replica of the Basilosaurus cetoides, Alabama's state fossil, a skeleton of an American mastodon, and the Hodges meteorite, the only meteorite known to have struck a human. The museum also holds the largest collection of Mosasaur, an ancient swimming reptile, and 300-million-year-old Cincosaurus footprints. For over 110 years, the museum has celebrated Alabama's natural history through exhibitions, research, and educational programs. It offers a sensory room to ensure an inclusive experience for all visitors.

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