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Sturdivant Hall: Selma's Antebellum Masterpiece

Experience the grandeur of the Old South at Sturdivant Hall, a beautifully preserved Greek Revival mansion in historic Selma, Alabama.

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Sturdivant Hall, also known as the Watts-Parkman-Gillman House, is a stunning Greek Revival mansion in Selma, Alabama, completed in 1856. Designed by Thomas Helm Lee, it showcases the opulence of the antebellum South and now serves as a captivating house museum.

A brief summary to Sturdivant Hall Museum

  • Tuesday 10 am-4 pm
  • Wednesday 10 am-4 pm
  • Thursday 10 am-4 pm
  • Friday 10 am-4 pm
  • Saturday 10 am-4 pm

Local tips

  • Check the Sturdivant Hall Museum's Facebook page or website for information on special events, including Christmas celebrations and educational programs.
  • Allow ample time to explore the formal gardens, detached kitchen, and gift shop in addition to the main house.
  • Consider visiting other nearby attractions in Selma's Old Town Historic District, such as the Edmund Pettus Bridge and the National Voting Rights Museum.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From the Edmund Pettus Bridge and the National Voting Rights Museum, Sturdivant Hall is approximately a 15-20 minute walk. Head northeast on Broad Street, then turn right onto Mabry Street. The museum will be on your left. This is a straightforward walk through a residential area.

  • Taxi/Ride-Share

    A taxi or ride-share from downtown Selma (e.g., the St. James Hotel or the Edmund Pettus Bridge area) to Sturdivant Hall is a short ride. Request a ride to 713 Mabry Street. The journey should take no more than 5-10 minutes, depending on traffic. Typical cost is between $8 and $12.

  • Driving

    If driving, navigate to 713 Mabry Street, Selma, AL 36701. From Broad Street, turn onto Mabry Street. The museum will be on your left. Limited free parking is available on-site. Be mindful of residential traffic. Parking is free.

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Discover more about Sturdivant Hall Museum

Sturdivant Hall, a magnificent Greek Revival mansion, stands as a testament to the grandeur and complex history of the antebellum South. Completed in 1856 for Colonel Edward T. Watts, a prosperous planter, this architectural masterpiece, also known as the Watts-Parkman-Gillman House, was designed by Thomas Helm Lee. The mansion quickly became a symbol of Watts's wealth and status, showcasing elaborate craftsmanship and imported materials. The construction cost approximately $69,900 at the time. Artisans from Italy were brought in to do the plaster and marble work. Following its completion, Watts and his family resided there until 1864 when it was sold to John McGee Parkman, a local banker. Parkman's tenure was short-lived, and the house was eventually acquired by Emile Gillman in 1870. The Gillman family owned the house until 1957 when it was sold to the City of Selma. A significant portion of the funds came from a bequest from Robert Daniel Sturdivant, with the stipulation 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 managed by the Sturdivant Museum Association, the City of Selma, and Dallas County. Proceeds from museum fundraisers are used to maintain and repair both the building and the grounds. Sturdivant Hall was added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 18, 1973, due to its architectural significance. Sturdivant Hall also has a ghost story associated with it. The house is featured in a short story by Kathryn Tucker Windham, in her “13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffery”. The story, “The Return of the Ruined Banker,” involves John Parkman, one of the owners of Sturdivant Hall, and the purported return of his ghost to the house after his death.

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