County steeped in rich history TALLASSEE FALLS MUSEUM
Elmore County is rich in history. In Tallassee, the Tallassee Falls Museum has an impressive display of artifacts. The Tallassee Falls Museum, a part of the Talisi Historical Preservation Society, opened on June 7, 2013. Its name is derived from the well-known Tallassee Falls on the Tallapoosa River. The mighty waterfalls are now home to Thurlow Dam and early in the city’s history they were home to the Tallassee Falls Manufacturing Company, one of the early names for the Tallassee Mills. At the museum, which is located in the heart of historic downtown, visitors can get a firsthand look at Tallassee’s long-running history and the various cultures that inhabited the area presented through 12 exhibits. The Native Americans exhibit displays the rich Native American Muskogee and Creek tribes that once inhabited the area. There is a Pioneer Life exhibit that displays the history of early American settlers in the area. There is a Tallassee Falls Manufacturing Company, which displays the textile industry’s 156-year presence in Tallassee. Visitors can also see what life was like while Tallassee Mount Vernon Mills was in operations from 1900 until 2005. Additional exhibits include World War I, Black Heritage, Tallapoosa River and dams, the history of Tallassee City Schools, Dovard Taunton Art Gallery and World War II. Finally, the museum has a miscellanea exhibit for all other items of historical value. Donations of artifacts and memorabilia related to Tallassee, Tallapoosa and Elmore counties and Alabama are needed and encouraged. Items can be donated in memory of relatives, loved ones and friends. Admission to the Tallassee Falls Museum is free and cash/ check donations are encouraged and appreciated. As part of the Talisi Historical Preservation Society, Talisi Historical the museum is a nonSociety staged profit publicly supa play about ported corporation. pinoeer life Address: 201 Barnett Blvd., Tallassee Phone: 334-9914704 Hours of Operation: 10 a.m.2 p.m. ThursdaySaturday; 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday Special hours can be scheduled for schools, civic, church, senior groups, etc. Email: mtallasseefalls@elmore.rr.com.
TALLASSEE ARMORY GUARDS
The Civil War reenactment occurs at the Tallassee Armory Guards Camp each fall
Each year in early November, the Tallassee Armory Guards Camp 1921 of the Sons of Confederate Veterans hosts the Battles of the Armory Civil War Reenactment. Re-enactors and demonstrators welcome more than 700 students to a Living History School Day with different historical stations that feature artillery demonstrations, soldiers’ encampments, a field hospital, period dance and more. There is a presentation on the rare Tallassee Carbine that was manufactured at the Confederate Armory. The reenactment features the Battle of Chehaw Station and the Battle of Franklin. These two local battles along the Western Railroad of Alabama prevented Union Raiders from reaching Tallassee and destroying the Confederate Armory where the Tallassee Carbine was manufactured. Before the battles, the public can take carriage rides over the beautiful Gibson’s View Plantation and visit the numerous Confederate and Union soldiers’ campsites. A period ball is held each year at the Anthony Barn complete with period music and dress. Address: 102 James St., Tallassee Phone: 800-923-4699
FORT TOULOUSE-JACKSON PARK
A short trip to Fort Toulouse-Jackson Park is a great way to spend a day or a week experiencing the area’s unique background. The preserved park will not only give visitors a firsthand look at history, but also offer plenty of outdoor activities for the family. The park features the well known Ft. Toulouse and Ft. Jackson as well as a Native American village and burial mound. The Creek Nation houses represent two predominant types of housing used during this time period. The state of Alabama is named after this Creek Native American tribe. During the Mississippian period, the first
