The Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives is an attraction in Athens, Alabama featuring exhibits, guided tours, and more. You’ll find a gift shop, monthly coffee meetups and meeting space for rentals. The museum’s purpose is to preserve the memories of veterans by giving their artifacts and memorabilia a permanent resting place. Here is a look at what you’ll discover at the Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives.
About the museum
Open six days a week, the Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives is available for touring, memberships and to volunteers. Artifacts displayed in the museum are from the Revolutionary War, Civil War, WWI & WWII, Korean War, Viet Nam, Desert Storm and the present “Operation Enduring Freedom.”
Unlike many museums in the US, visitors have said that this museum truly celebrates the accomplishment and sacrifice of the local service people and their families rather than glorifying the commanders.
Visiting the museum
You can visit the museum for a self-guided tour Monday through Saturday from 9am-3pm. You’ll see artifacts like medals, uniforms, tapes, books and photographs. The museum has been divided into three sections include the Bob McAbee Exhibit Hall, the Tyler Craig Memorial Library and the Wendell Powers Auditorium.
The museum is located at 100 West Pryor Street in Athens near the downtown square of historic Athens and Athens State University.
Membership and Volunteers
You can become a member of the Alabama Veterans Museum Foundation to help the museum continue to preserve community heritage, produce new exhibits and plan exciting public programming. Being a non-profit, the museum depends on memberships and donations to stay open. They also depend on the support of volunteers and welcome anyone that can help for a few hours a week.
Check out the Alabama Veterans Memorial Museum and Archives located in the old L&N Freight Depot in Athens to see a piece of history from several wars all in one location.
