Tennessee Valley Museum of Art
511 North Water St.
Tuscumbia, AL 35674
www.tvaa.net
Hours: Mon – Fri, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sun, 1 – 3 p.m.
Admission charged except free on Sunday.
This regional art center is a venue for cultural activities. Galleries provide annual and rotating exhibits as well as workshops for adults and children. The permanent exhibition of the Martin Petroglyph, a 3,000 pound boulder with carvings completed by prehistoric people, is on display in a replicated bluff shelter setting. (see website for rotating exhibit and workshop schedule.
Helen Keller Home
300 N. Commons, West
Tuscumbia, AL 35674
www.HelenKellerBirthplace.org
Open: Mon – Sat, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Admission charged.
The dramatic life and times of the “first lady of courage” Helen Keller are preserved at her birthplace and childhood home, Ivy Green. The plantation home and birthplace cottage dating back to the 1820s are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Original furnishings are on display throughout the home and museum, highlighted by hundreds of Miss Keller’s personal mementos, books, and gifts from her lifetime of travel and lectures for the betterment of the world’s blind and deafblind.
The grounds are remarkably kept by a group of Master Gardeners. Plantings include those that Helen Keller wrote about and talked about in her various books – roses, honeysuckle, daffodils, Ivy, magnolia, figs, assorted herbs.
The plantation home may be toured in its entirety and the birthplace cottage may be toured from the doorways as can the dependency buildings – cook’s bedroom and kitchen, ice house. While there, be sure to walk the grounds to see the various gifts presented to the home from many countries around the world. The original well pump where Miss Keller first spoke the word “w a t e r” is a great spot for that perfect photo. A gift shop provides choices of books and other articles relating to Helen Keller.
The Miracle Worker Play
At Ivy Green, Home Helen Keller
256-383-4066.
www.HelenKellerBirthplace.org
On the evenings of the Play, home opens at 6:30 p.m. for a walk-through tour; Play begins promptly at 8 p.m.
Admission charged.
Every summer, people from around the world come to Tuscumbia to watch William Gibson’s play, “The Miracle Worker” in the outdoor theatre on the grounds of Ivy Green, the home of Helen Keller. The inspiring play dramatizes the efforts of Anne Sullivan to open the world of communication to her deaf and blind student Helen Keller.
The play is Alabama’s “Official Outdoor Drama” and has been recognized numerous times by the Southeast Tourism Society as a Top 20 Event in the Southeast and by the American Bus Association as a Top 100 Event in the United States.
The Miracle Worker Play runs six weeks each summer on Friday and Saturday evenings in June and July. Purchase your tickets by calling the Helen Keller Home at (256) 383-4066.
Belle Mont Mansion
1569 Cook Lane
Tuscumbia, AL 35674
www.preserveala.org
Open: Wed – Sat, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Admission charged.
Belle Mont Mansion is one of Alabama’s most distinguished Federal period homes. Built in 1828 for Dr. Alexander Mitchell, a physician and planter, the home is distinguished by its Jeffersonian-Palladian architecture as favored by Thomas Jefferson in the building of his own home Monticello. The style is marked by a tall central pavilion, flanked by matching, single-story wings which embrace a rear courtyard. The approach through farmlands to the home’s hilltop setting adds a dimension of authenticity to a visit to Belle Mont where the story of the imposing brick house and its inhabitants through nearly 200 years may be experienced. Period furnishings from across the region are displayed and original decorative arts and architectural features are preserved. Belle Mont Mansion is one of only five house museums owned by the State of Alabama, Alabama Historical Commission. It is operated by a local support group, the Colbert County Historical Landmarks Foundation.
Spring Park
South Main Street
Tuscumbia, AL 35674
www.cityoftuscumbia.org
Open Year Round, daylight – 10 p.m.
Free.
Well landscaped Spring Park is used daily by residents and visitors who come to Tuscumbia to enjoy the quaintness of the town, shopping, and the beautiful park and its amenities. It offers a pleasant and relaxing place to enjoy a family picnic, including playground equipment.
Several amusements provide an excellent venue for young children to enjoy a roller coaster, carousel and narrow gauge train that runs through the park (nominal fee for amusements).
The park offers a strikingly beautiful waterfall that stretches 80 feet wide and 48 feet tall. Cold water splashes over the sandstone rocks through the falls and a lovely Indian statue stands 12 feet tall paying tribute to the American Indians who were relocated through this location to Oklahoma during the 1830s along the Trail of Tears. A breathtaking water show, choreographed to lights and music, is presented most nights at dusk in the lake that is in the park. Water shoots about 150 feet into the area and the waters dance to the music.
Alabama Music Hall of Fame
617 U.S. Highway 72 W
Tuscumbia, AL 35674
www.alamhof.org
Open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Tuesday – Saturday; Closed Sunday and Monday
Admission charged.
In 1990, the Alabama Music Hall of Fame opened to the public for tours. Exhibits tout the outstanding accomplishments of music achiever from throughout the state of Alabama. “Father of the Blues” W.C. Handy, “Father of Rock and Roll” Sam Phillips, “Father of Country Music” Jimmy Rogers, “Father of Muscle Shoals Music” Rick Hall, “Queen of the Blues” Dinah Washington, “Queen of Gospel Music Vestal Goodman, “Legend of Country Music” Hank Williams, and “First Lady of Country Music” Tammy Wynette, are among the prestigious inductees. You’ll experience the story of the state’s contribution to our music heritage through artifacts, photographs and text panes while listening to the varied sounds of Alabama’s music. This museum presents exhibits on more than 1,000 stars, representing all styles of America’s music. A gift shop has an excellent selection of music-related items.
Tuscumbia Railway Depot
204 West 5th St.
Tuscumbia, AL 35674
www.cityoftuscumbia.org
Open: Tues – Fri, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Sat, 10 a.m. – 3p.m.
Admission charged.
This 1888 restored passenger depot was utilized by both the Memphis and Charleston and Southern Railway companies. This is the same depot where Annie Sullivan and Helen Keller utilized as they traveled from Boston to Tuscumbia through the years after Helen left Tuscumbia to be taught at Perkins Institute in Boston. Today, it is a museum dedicated to rail memorabilia and the nearby roundhouse is utilized as an event venue.
Rattle Snake Saloon
1292 Mt. Mills Rd.
Tuscumbia, AL 35674
www.RattlesnakeSaloon.net
Open: Feb through Nov, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. (Thurs, Fri, Sat); Open Sun afternoon seasonally.
The “watering hole under the rock” is a popular destination that offers a unique dining experience under a Native American rock bluff shelter. The menu includes a variety of unique burgers and sandwiches. The Rustler Burger is listed as one of the “100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama Before You Die”. The Alabama Cattlemen’s Association has given the burger the Top 2 burger in the state of Alabama.
