Sturdivant Hall Museum in Selma, Alabama is a stunning example of Greek Revival architecture and a popular tourist attraction. Built in 1856 by John McGee Parkman, a wealthy plantation owner, Sturdivant Hall was once known as one of the grandest homes in the state of Alabama.

The house was named after its second owner, Colonel Edward T. Sturdivant, who bought the property in 1864. During the Civil War, Sturdivant Hall served as a hospital for Confederate soldiers, and legend has it that the blood stains from the wounded soldiers can still be seen on the floorboards.

Today, the Sturdivant Hall Museum is open to the public and offers visitors a chance to step back in time and experience the grandeur of the antebellum South. The museum features original furnishings and artwork, including a stunning chandelier that once hung in the White House.

One of the most striking features of Sturdivant Hall is its impressive double staircase, which leads up to a balcony that overlooks the main hall. The house also boasts an ornate ballroom, a formal dining room, and a library.

In addition to its stunning architecture and historical significance, Sturdivant Hall Museum is also home to a number of ghost stories. Many visitors claim to have seen apparitions of Confederate soldiers or heard strange noises coming from the house’s empty rooms.

But despite its spooky reputation, Sturdivant Hall is a must-see attraction for anyone interested in Southern history and architecture. The house has been meticulously restored and maintained, and a visit to the museum is like taking a step back in time.

One of the best times to visit Sturdivant Hall is during the annual Selma Pilgrimage, a three-day event that showcases some of the city’s most beautiful historic homes. During the pilgrimage, visitors can tour Sturdivant Hall and other homes in the area, as well as enjoy live music, arts and crafts, and other activities.

Whether you’re a history buff, an architecture enthusiast, or just looking for a unique and memorable experience, a visit to Sturdivant Hall Museum in Selma, Alabama is sure to be a highlight of your trip. From its stunning double staircase to its eerie ghost stories, this grand antebellum mansion is a true gem of the South.

Museums and historical sites to check out near Selma, Alabama:

• National Voting Rights Museum: Located in downtown Selma, this museum chronicles the history of the Voting Rights Movement in America, with a particular focus on the events that took place in Selma.
• Old Cahawba Archaeological Park: Once a thriving antebellum town, Cahawba was abandoned after the Civil War and is now a ghost town. Visitors can explore the ruins of old homes and buildings, as well as learn about the town’s history at the on-site museum.
• Brown Chapel AME Church: This historic church played a pivotal role in the Voting Rights Movement, serving as a meeting place and organizing hub for civil rights activists.
• Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail: This trail follows the route that civil rights marchers took from Selma to Montgomery in 1965. Along the way, visitors can see historic sites like the Edmund Pettus Bridge, where marchers were met with violent resistance from police.
• Martin Luther King Jr. Street Historic District: Located in downtown Montgomery, this district includes a number of historic homes and buildings, including the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. served as pastor.
• Freedom Rides Museum: Housed in the former Greyhound Bus Station in Montgomery, this museum tells the story of the Freedom Rides of 1961, when civil rights activists rode buses across the South to protest segregation.
• F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum: Located in Montgomery, this museum is housed in the home where F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife Zelda lived for a brief period in the 1930s. The museum showcases their lives and works, as well as the history of Montgomery during that time period.
• Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site: Located about an hour’s drive from Selma, this site commemorates the accomplishments of the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of African American pilots who fought in World War II. Visitors can see historic planes, visit the museum, and learn about the Airmen’s contributions to American history.