Alabama Museum of Natural History
Alabama Museum of Natural History: A Journey Through Alabama's Natural Past
Smith Hall: Alabama's Natural History Showcase
Explore Alabama's natural history from dinosaurs to meteorites at the Alabama Museum of Natural History in historic Smith Hall.
Smith Hall, home to the Alabama Museum of Natural History, is a Classical Revival building on the University of Alabama campus in Tuscaloosa. Established in 1831, the museum showcases the state's natural diversity from the dinosaur age to the ice age with exhibits of fossils, minerals, and historical artifacts.
Plan your visit
A brief summary to Smith Hall
Opening times, essentials, and a few local tips gathered into one calmer, easier-to-scan planning section.
Plan your visit
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Getting There
Walking
From the University of Alabama campus, walk east on University Blvd toward 6th Ave. Turn left onto 6th Ave and continue north. Smith Hall is located at 427 6th Ave.
Public Transport
From the Greyhound Bus Station in Tuscaloosa, walk to the bus stop at 14th St & 7th Ave. Take Tuscaloosa City Transit Bus Line 1 toward the University of Alabama. Get off at University Blvd & 6th Ave. Walk one block north on 6th Ave to Smith Hall. The cost for a single ride is $1.25.
Driving
From I-20/59, take exit 73 for McFarland Blvd and head west toward the University of Alabama. Exit right onto University Blvd and follow it to Hackberry Lane. Turn right onto Hackberry Lane and turn into the second parking lot on the left behind Smith Hall. There are five dedicated visitor parking spaces. Upon paying museum admission, you will receive a parking pass for these spaces. Alternatively, a parking deck is located at Campus Drive and Hackberry Lane. Parking here costs $1 for the first hour and $2 for each additional hour.
Local tips
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Visit on a weekday for a less crowded experience.
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Check the museum's website for information on special events and temporary exhibits.
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Allow at least two hours to fully explore the museum's exhibits.
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Ask museum staff for guided tours to enhance your understanding of the exhibits.
Discover more about Smith Hall
Smith Hall, located on the University of Alabama campus in Tuscaloosa, is home to the Alabama Museum of Natural History. The museum, founded in 1831, is the oldest in the state and a lasting monument to Dr. Eugene Allen Smith, who surveyed and collected specimens for nearly 40 years as the state geologist. The cornerstone was laid in 1907, and the building was dedicated in 1910.The building itself is designed in the Classical Revival style, reminiscent of Beaux-Arts architecture. The facade features eight prominent Ionic columns. Inside, a sweeping staircase made of Alabama marble and iron leads to the Grand Gallery Exhibition Hall. This hall is ringed with Corinthian columns and topped by a barrel-vaulted ceiling with skylights. Museum exhibits are displayed in glass and polished wood cases on the second floor and mezzanine.The museum's exhibits depict Alabama's natural diversity through time. Highlights include a replica of the Basilosaurus cetoides, Alabama's state fossil, and the Hodges meteorite, the only meteorite known to have struck a human. Visitors can also view the skull of an American mastodon and a large collection of Mosasaur fossils. The museum also sponsors expeditions throughout the year.
A brief summary to Smith Hall
Use Smith Hall as your starting point for nearby food, family ideas, nightlife, and more local discoveries.
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