MUSEUMS

ALABAMA NATIONAL CEMETERY

This 479-acre cemetery houses the graves of our nation’s veterans on Highway 119 just north of Montevallo. Its 54 developed acres feature facilities for dignified and honorable burials. Onsite you can find a public information center complex with an electronic gravesite locator, water fountains and public restrooms, a flag assembly area, a memorial walkway and two committal shelters. cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/alabama.asp

KENNETH R. PENHALE CITY OF HELENA MUSEUM

This city museum contains numerous artifacts, photographs and other memorabilia revealing Helena’s rich history as a mining town. You’re sure to learn a lot about coal mining towns, natural disasters and more on any visit, and it will help you bridge a gap between Helena’s past and present. cityofhelena.org

ALDRICH COAL MINE MUSEUM

This historic industrial attraction in Montevallo features coal mining memorabilia, a mine replica and vintage equipment photographs of the town of Aldrich at its coal-mining peak. Inside it displays pictures and artifacts of community of Aldrich, the coal mine, prison, stores, churches and post office to impart the history of coal mining in Alabama. The site also has the only coal miner monument in Alabama. shelbyal.com

Museums

KARL C. HARRISON MUSEUM OF GEORGE WASHINGTON

The Columbiana museum houses one of the largest privately owned collections of George and Martha Washington memorabilia outside of Mt. Vernon. It showcases art and artifacts from the Colonial period through 1865, including Martha Washington’s prayer book printed in New York in 1783 and an original 1787 Samuel Vaughn sketch of Mt. Vernon grounds. washingtonmuseum.com

SHELBY COUNTY MUSEUM & ARCHIVES

The Shelby County Historical Society is dedicated to the discovery, collection and preservation of all things related to the history of Shelby County, Alabama. It is located in the historic 1854 courthouse building in Columbiana. The building is also home to an archive containing research material such as books, microfilm and U.S. Federal Census Records from 1790. shelbycountymuseum.com