Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Sturdivant Hall Museum

Here is a view from the sidewalk as visitors approach Sturdivant Hall. The house museum is considered one of the finest Greek Revival neoclassic antebellum mansions in the Southeast. How's that for a pedigree?!
Its architect was Thomas Helm Lee, a cousin of Robert E. Lee, and the home became a museum in the late 1950s. With numerous antiques, portraits, period furniture and formal gardens, it is a must-see for tourists. The site also includes a gift shop.
For more details, visit the Sturdivant Hall website.
Click on the photo for a larger view.
Oh, and yes, it has a ghost!
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8 comments:

alice said...

Please, tell us more about the ghost!

Annie said...

What a fabulously beautiful place that is.

Selma, Alabama probably has both really large and beautiful and historical properties and impoverished, ramshackle, soon-to-fall down properties. I used to live in southeastern Alabama and I remember thinking that the time that about properties there.

Janet said...

Alice, I will have to do another post on the Sturdivant Hall ghost. It is an interesting one!

Annie, thanks for visiting. Where did you live in Alabama?
Yes, for a small town, we do have a wealth of beautiful and historic properties. Selma has the largest contiguous historic district in the state. As the second oldest town in Alabama, we do have some historic buildings in dire need of repair, particularly on Water Avenue, which I believe is one of just a few intact riverfront historic districts. The facade of one burned-out Water Avenue building collapsed last year, and another had damage after high winds. Plans are under way to widen the sidewalks, add park benches and clean up what cannot be repaired. The local Historic Preservation Society is quite active and has saved many structures and are working to save more. The Downtown Selma Association is also trying to improve those areas. If these structures can just all be renovated before they fall in!

Selma does also have its share of ramshackle areas.

Kate said...

Looks like a very stately place on beautiful grounds.

Janet said...

Hi Kate,
Stately is a good adjective for this place. Many events are held here, and it is a popular place for weddings and/or receptions. The back has a beautiful courtyard.

J. Andrew Lockhart said...

I'd love to go there! Wouldn't mind living there, either, but I wouldn't want to mow the yard. :)

Ming the Merciless said...

That is a great shot. I love the line made by the fence.

sevenfourth said...

Nice old home. S.SMITH. 7TH MISS. S.C.V. 4TH ALABAMA / REENACTORS CO.B