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Oakleigh House Museum: A Step Back in Time

Discover Mobile's captivating history at Oakleigh House Museum, a beautifully preserved 1833 Greek Revival mansion in the Oakleigh Garden Historic District.

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Explore Mobile's rich history at Oakleigh House Museum, a beautifully preserved 1833 Greek Revival mansion. Tour authentic period rooms and discover 19th-century life through the eyes of Oakleigh's residents in the Oakleigh Garden Historic District.

A brief summary to Oakleigh House 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

  • Tours are offered on the hour, with the last tour departing at 3 p.m. Plan your visit accordingly.
  • Check the museum's calendar for special events, such as holiday tours and celebrations.
  • Wear comfortable shoes, as the tour involves walking and standing.
  • Note that the house is only accessible via stairs, which may not be suitable for guests with mobility issues.
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Getting There

  • Public Transport

    From downtown Mobile, take a local bus that services the Government Street corridor. Get off at a stop near George Street and walk south for three blocks until you reach the intersection of George and Savannah Streets. Turn right onto Savannah Street, and you'll see Oakleigh directly in front of you. Travel one block on Savannah Street, which dead-ends into Oakleigh Place. Turn right onto Oakleigh Place and continue to the parking lot in front of the Minnie Mitchell Archives Building. A single ride fare is $1.25.

  • Taxi/Ride-Share

    A taxi or ride-share from downtown Mobile to Oakleigh House Museum will typically cost between $8 and $15, depending on traffic and demand. Direct the driver to 300 Oakleigh Place, Mobile, AL 36604. The ride is usually short, around 5-10 minutes.

  • Driving

    From downtown Mobile, head west on Government Street. Turn left onto George Street and continue for three blocks until you reach Savannah Street. Turn right onto Savannah Street, then right again onto Oakleigh Place. The parking lot for the Minnie Mitchell Archives Building will be on your right. Additional parking is available on Roper Street behind the museum. Parking is free.

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Discover more about Oakleigh House Museum

Oakleigh House Museum, constructed in 1833 by James W. Roper, stands as Mobile's oldest house museum and a remarkable example of Greek Revival architecture. This T-shaped mansion, one of the largest in Alabama, was built on what was then woodland west of Mobile. The name 'Oakleigh' combines 'oak' with the Anglo-Saxon word 'lea,' meaning meadow. Oakleigh has witnessed pivotal moments in Mobile's history, from King Cotton and urban slavery to railroad expansion, deadly epidemics, the Civil War, and emancipation. The museum's collection boasts over 1,000 artifacts that interpret life in Mobile between 1830 and 1900, including silver collections, Haviland Limoges china, and fine art by artists like Thomas Sully. A visit to the Oakleigh Historic Complex includes the Union Barracks, the Cox-Deasy Cottage, and the Minnie Mitchell Archives. The Union Barracks, built in 1867, showcases post-Emancipation life, while the Cox-Deasy Cottage (1850) represents historic Gulf Coast architecture. The Minnie Mitchell Archives house a collection of Mobile maps, documents, and photographs. Oakleigh House Museum offers guided tours that recount the stories of the home's original occupants and significant events. The house is only accessible via stairs.

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