July 24, 2025 Topic: Birmingham Mineral Railroad Signs Project Speaker: James Lowery 2025 Lecture Series — 2 of 4 Historic Birmingham Mineral Railroad Signs Project – The BMRR Past and Present Speaker: James Lowery Recorded: July 24, 2025 For more information →

Learn more about Historic Tuscaloosa's property, the Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion. The Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion has been listed in the National Register as a historic site. Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion 1305 Greensboro Avenue Tuscaloosa, AL 35403 Brief History The Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion was constructed by state senator Robert Jemison, Jr. between 1859-1862. Being a prominent politician and businessman, Jemison wanted a home closer to Tuscaloosa, which had served as the state capital from 1826 to 1846. Jemison originally built this mansion for entertaining and housing visiting colleagues. The Jemison’s spared no expense creating this state-of-the-art city home. 14 different types of wood were used in the construction of the house. All but two came through Jemison Land Holdings. He wanted to showcase not only his personal wealth but also the wealth of the region. This house, Jemison’s weekend house, cost him $89,000 to build. The state of Alabama spent $50,000 building the state capital building, and that was for the land, materials, labor, and so forth. Jemison did not pay for the labor. He did not buy the materials. He obtained them from his own mill and land companies. Jemison spent almost twice the amount it took for the state capitol building just in the frills. The Italianate-style house was designed by Philadelphia architect John Stewart who was in Tuscaloosa supervising the construction of Bryce Hospital. The Jemison home incorporated the latest innovations in design and technology including an elaborate plumbing system that included running water, flush toilets, and a copper bathtub; a large conservatory to be warmed by a central heating plant (which was never installed due to the Yankee blockade) and indoor lighting fueled by coal gas manufactured in a machine located in the basement. Other modern features incorporated in the design were a boiler for producing hot water, a gas stove, an early form of “refrigerator” and a dumb waiter from the basement kitchen to the pantry located above. The Jemison Mansion had the first built-in bathtub in the state. It was also the first house built with an indoor toilet as well. The home remained in the family well into this century. Four generations of Jemison’s and Van de Graff's have lived in the home carrying on the tradition of service to the community and the University. Among them are Colonel Andrew Coleman Hargrove, the Confederate Army Office and one-time dean of the University Law School who married Jemison's daughter Cherokee Mims Jemison. Their daughter, Minnie Cherokee Hargrove married A.S. Van de Graff, a circuit court judge. After the Van de Graaff’s sold the house in 1936, the mansion was used as an apartment complex for numerous years. The mansion saw its second set of owners in 1945 when the home was purchased by J.P. & Nell Burchfield. They returned it to a single-family residence and made some major renovations. Mrs. Burchfield painted everything white and green and added a few modern touches, as well. The structure was in danger of being demolished in 1955, at which time, Hugo Friedman (Battle-Friedman Home) bought the mansion and presented it to the Tuscaloosa County Commission to be used as a public library. Between 1955-1957, the structure was renovated to meet the needs of a public library. The house served a generation of Tuscaloosans as the Friedman Public Library before it once again returned to private hands. In 1979, Gray Boone purchased the property to serve as offices for Antique Monthly, with expectations that the house be restored, preserved, and maintained. The house was jointly purchased August 8, 1991, by Historic Tuscaloosa (TCPS) and the Heritage Commission of Tuscaloosa County with block grant funds made available by the City of Tuscaloosa. Significant People of the Mansion Senator Jemison was not the only important historical figure in this family. Colonel Andrew Hargrove , the senator's son-in-law, was originally a colonel in the Civil War, but went on to be Speaker of the Alabama House and dean of the UA Law School. Hargrove's grandsons also went on to make names for themselves. Jemison served in the Alabama state legislature, initially in the Senate and then in the House, from 1840-1851. He returned to the Senate from 1851-1863. In 1861, he was a Delegate to the Convention and voted against the Ordinance of Secession. He was elected unanimously to be President of the Alabama Senate in 1863; soon after, he was elected to the Confederate States Senate, replacing William Lowndes Yancey, who had died of a kidney ailment. Jemison owned multiple businesses. A primary source of capital was his plantations. His papers show that he owned 120 slaves in 1851, including 44 children under the age of 10. He owned six plantations in western Alabama, totaling 10,000 acres. In 1858, he attempted to sell the plantations, 70 slaves and other land in Tuscaloosa, including another residence, a livery stable and the Indian Queen Hotel. Jemison's other ventures included a stagecoach line, toll roads, toll bridges, grist mills, sawmills, turnpikes, stables, a hotel, and plank roads. His largest enterprise was a 4,000-acre Cherokee Place plantation in what is now Northport where he lived before building the Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion in Tuscaloosa. Jemison advocated for the creation of a state-owned mental hospital which eventually became Bryce Hospital, and hired the same Philadelphia architectural firm to design both his private Tuscaloosa mansion and the hospital. After the Civil War, Jemison's wealth was significantly diminished, and eventually he lost his family mansion due to debt. One of his businesses was the Tuscaloosa Bridge Company. It built two of the first covered bridges across the Black Warrior River. Jemison hired Horace King, a skilled multiracial enslaved person from Russell County to build bridges in eastern Mississippi. King became one of the most respected bridge designers and builders in the Deep South. In 1846, Jemison, along with King's owner, John Godwin, obtained his freedom through an act of the Alabama Legislature, which exempted King from the manumission laws. King built the last covered bridge at Tuscaloosa and Northport over the Black Warrior in 1872 just a few months after Jemison's death on October 16, 1871. Jemison made an arrangement with Tuscaloosa County for King to build the bridge and this bridge was the first of many that the county would build. William Van de Graaff was Alabama's first All-American football player and his brother, Robert Van de Graaff was a brilliant physicist most well-known for his invention of the Van de Graaff Generator. Robert Van de Graaff's accomplishments led to his legacy in the science community as the Father of Modern Physics. Visit the Mansion The Mansion is available for historic tours Tuesday-Friday at 3:30 pm. Group and school tours are also available by calling or emailing Historic Tuscaloosa Call: 205-758-2238 Email: info@historictuscaloosa.org Tour Virtually Tour in Person Peek Inside Want to see more of the Mansion before you visit? Check out the video below for some beautiful footage and fun facts about the Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion. Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion Play Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied What They’re Saying About Us STACY S. A History Buff's Dream. Grounds and house are beautifully done and well worth the visit. The historical background is excellent. DEBBIE K. Welcomed at the door as if we were family. The docent explained all the rooms and was very amenable to questions. Take the time to look at everything. The second floor has the first copper tub in the state. I can't imagine polishing it! The whole place is wonderful and I can picture a houseful of children and teenagers inhabiting it with their parents. A MUST when you are in Tuscaloosa! J. RUNDLES Step back in Time: Beautifully maintained, historically accurate, wonderfully friendly staff. A Tuscaloosa must-see treasure. Want to add a review from your trip to see the Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion? Leave your review for us on our Trip Advisor page. Review Us

< Back William Hawkins Executive Director will@historictuscaloosa.org 205-523-2166

Since 1966, Historic Tuscaloosa has collected and preserved centuries of history and continues to document Tuscaloosa’s unique contribution to our national narrative. Historic Tuscaloosa keeps and preserves significant collections of artifacts, documents, and properties. It supports, generates, and collects knowledge on the history of Tuscaloosa County and its place in American history. Resource Center Since 1966, Historic Tuscaloosa has collected and preserved centuries of history and continues to document Tuscaloosa’s unique contribution to our national narrative. Historic Tuscaloosa keeps and preserves significant collections of artifacts, documents, and properties. It supports, generates, and collects knowledge on the history of Tuscaloosa County and its place in American history. Historic Tuscaloosa also develops and delivers a variety of educational programs — exhibits, tours, lectures, publications, and other formats — to convey information and open dialogs with the public about our history. What is a historic resource? A historic resource is any resource (a building, structure, object, or site) that has importance to the past for association with important history, culture, or design. These places can be individually recognized, or could be a concentration of places known as an "Historic District." Buildings and other resources that help tell the story of an historic district are considered "contributing" to that district and are integral pieces of the larger historic story. Resources for Research Visit our Blog A Historical Sketch of Tuscaloosa, Alabama Tuscaloosa Public Library State Archives Gorgas House Museum Alabama Historical Commission Tuscaloosa Virtual Museum Greater Downtown Tuscaloosa Historic Resources Tuscaloosa Memories 1887 Map Project January 4 Historic Tuscaloosa: 1887 Interactive Map Guide Historic Preservation Commission https://www.tuscaloosa.com/hpc Welcome to Capitol Park Tuscaloosa Curb Market PDF Tuscaloosa Curb Market - The Digest Greater Downtown Tuscaloosa Historic Resource

Historic Tuscaloosa Tours are available Tuesday-Friday. Guests are invited to visit any or all of our Historic Tuscaloosa properties!  Please check with our event calendar for daily closings. Daily Tours Tours are available Tuesday-Friday. Guests are invited to visit any or all of our Historic Tuscaloosa properties! Please check with our event calendar for daily closings. View calendar Daily tours begin first with Old Tavern at 1:30 ↓ Then travel .7 miles to the Battle-Friedman House at 2:30 ↓ Then travel .3 miles to the Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion at 3:30 ↓ Go Explore Tuscaloosa!!! Old Tavern The museum is open year-round for guided tours. Please check the events calendar for daily closing and events. Call ahead to confirm tour. HOURS Tuesday-Friday Saturday-Monday 1:30 PM Closed ADMISSION $5/person $5/person Battle-Friedman House & Gardens The museum is open year-round for guided tours. Please check the events calendar for daily closing and events. Call ahead to confirm tour. HOURS Tuesday-Friday Saturday-Monday 2:30 PM Closed ADMISSION Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion The museum is open year-round for guided tours. Please check the events calendar for daily closing and events. Call ahead to confirm tour. HOURS ADMISSION $5/person Tuesday-Friday Saturday-Monday 3:30 PM Closed Murphy Collins House The Murphy-Collins House is open daily, Tuesday-Friday, and tours can be arranged by appointment. Free. Donations are welcome ADMISSION Call for appointments Closed Tuesday-Friday Saturday-Monday HOURS Tour comfort tips Tours will be both inside and outside. Your group will be walking on surfaces that are uneven and include dirt, brick, wood, and asphalt. Encourage all members of your tour group to wear comfortable walking shoes with socks. Be prepared for touring in all weather conditions Make sure all group members have the following: rain gear, such as ponchos and umbrellas for wet weather; an extra sweatshirt or sweater for cooler conditions; sunscreen; a hat or cap; and water. (Keeping hydrated in the heat is extremely important.) Museum Etiquette Please help us preserve this historic town. Please refrain from eating gum, candy, or foods of any kind inside any of the Historic Area sites. Please look with your eyes only, unless an interpreter invites you to sit or touch. Your interpreter knows the best places to provide opportunities for you to touch objects and take part in activities. While photographs are permitted, please be courteous when using your camera. Take care that you do not disrupt any presentations. A guided tour should take around 30-45 minutes. Old Tavern Parking: Guests are encouraged to park on University Boulevard. Entering: Guests should arrive at the front entrance. Please sign the guest book. As you walk outside to enjoy the garden, take note of the sitting area just to the left leading to the back of the tavern. Battle-Friedman: Parking: Guest parking is located on the right side of the house, accessible off Paul W. Bryant Drive. Guests can also park on the street, along Paul W. Bryant Drive and Greensboro Avenue. Entering: For guests with handicaps or required wheelchair accessibility, we advise using the door opposite the stairs facing the parking lot, contains a ramp. Restrooms: Restrooms are located on the main floor below the staircase. Ramps: A wheelchair ramp is located on the right side of the house, next to the parking lot. There is no wheelchair accessible way to the second floor of the house. Guests should arrive at the front entrance. Please sign the guest book. Guests with handicaps or in a wheelchair, it is not advised to proceed with the tour upstairs but may rejoin the tour on the side lawn past the gardens. Once finished with the tour upstairs, the tour will be led back downstairs and through the side door behind the stairs. The tour will continue down the steps into the side lawn. Guests are free to walk amongst the gardens on their own accord after the tour, but please stay by the garden pathway and to not disturb the flowers, pond, or gazebo. Otherwise, guests are to return to their cars or bus. Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion Guests should not roam the house unsupervised but after the tour, feel free to allow the guests to explore the grounds. Parking: Guest parking is located on the right side of the mansion, accessible off 14th street. Entering: All guests must use the side door, also located on the right side on the mansion, facing the parking lot. This entrance is wheelchair accessible and has a ramp. This entrance is located on the basement floor of the mansion. It is also where you will find Historic Tuscaloosa offices, bathrooms, and elevator access. The front doors of the mansion are left locked, unless mentioned otherwise. Guests should arrive at the side entrance on the basement floor. Please sign the guest book. Restrooms: Restrooms are located on the basement floor near the entrance. Ramps: A wheelchair ramp is located at the basement entrance to the parking lot. An elevator is in the basement but only ascends to the main floor of the house. The elevator can be accessed through Mrs. Jemison’s office using the left door. For guests with handicaps or in a wheelchair, it is not advised for them to proceed with the tour to the second level but may rejoin the tour in the hallway outside the dining area. Those unable to join the tour upstairs, due to handicaps or other reasons, may rejoin the tour in the hallway. The tour will end in the lower level of the Conservatory. What to expect at the Old Tavern Contact Us For more information on Customized Guided Tours or to make reservations: call 205-758-2238 or email info@historictuscaloosa.org

The Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion is a historic wedding and event venue in Tuscaloosa. Operated & maintained by a non-profit preservation organization, Historic Tuscaloosa, the funds acquired from event rentals are returned to these aging structures. On this page, you will find micro-wedding packages and prices, wedding and event rental packages and prices, photography packages and prices, floorplans, pictures, recommended vendors list, FAQ, and event calendar. YOUR NEXT EVENT AT The Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion Wedding Info Explore our pricing packages, amenities, and rental information for weddings at the Jemison- Van de Graaff Mansion. Brochure Floorplans FAQ Contract Gallery Looking for a better idea of how the Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion's spaces will be exactly what you're looking for? View Photos Event Info Explore our pricing packages, amenities, and rental information for events at the Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion. Brochure Floorplans FAQ Contract Photo Shoot Info Inside the home during business hours (Tuesday-Friday 10-5) $50/hour after business hours $100/hour Outside/Grounds FREE PLEASE CALL AHEAD TO CONFIRM THAT THE FACILITY IS AVAILABLE CALL 205-758-2238 Micro-Wedding Info Your marriage is still cause for celebration, even if it looks a little different. Historic Tuscaloosa is here to help you plan an intimate wedding that is also full of joy. Learn More Click below to view the Tour Folder Please Note: This will open a PDF file Share TESTIMONIALS Alex Best experience ever had! SK IS WONDERFUL. Very friendly, had everything that we needed and more ready for us. Great on communication, very knowledgeable, helpful and personable. 2022-06-10 Robin OMG! I can not say enough about how much Sarah went over and beyond for our June wedding. Due to Covid we planned our wedding to take place outside during the late afternoon. However we did not know that the date we chose would be in the middle of a heatwave! Sarah was so accommodating to us during the entire process. She put extra chairs out inside for our guests to be able to come in and escape from the heat. She made sure that we were as comfortable as we could be. Sarah was so friendly and easy to work with while planning my wedding. I HIGHLY recommend the Jemison Mansion for special events! 2022-07-27 Cindy Chaviers Perry The Jemison-Van De Graaff Mansion was the perfect venue for our dinner. Sarah- Katherine Helms was an absolute delight to work with. I would book this venue again just to be able to work with her. The professionalism, attention to detail and love for people and this gorgeous Mansion was outstanding !! Get in Touch 1305 Greensboro Ave. Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 info@historictuscaloosa.org / Tel. 205-758-2238 Name Phone Number Email Is this an event inquiry? * Required Yes No Venue Please choose a venue What's on your mind? Submit Thanks for submitting!

We’re in the business of creating experiences you and your guests will want to remember forever. We believe that every element of your celebration should be special, starting with the venue. Take a look at previous floorplans used by other patrons for their wedding or event! Building Details circa 1862 The Jemison-Van de Graaff mansion and grounds contains a total of 28,800 square feet. The mansion, including the porch, consists of 16,919 square feet. There are twenty-six rooms located on three floor levels of the home, linked together by six staircases. The chandeliers are of bronze, some still holding the same hurricane glass shades of long ago. The front porch contains 1,452 square feet and slender pillars, laced together by carved fretwork, which reach across the long veranda on the front. The double entrance doors are striking-like cathedral doors, very wide, heavily carved, reaching to the ceiling, allowing only for transom and sidelights. The first floor contains 6,056 square feet with 15-foot ceiling height, six panel colonial doors, 1 x 12" molded trim. The double parlors have 18-foot ceilings with original wooden pocket doors. Beautiful handmade moldings and fresco are arranged throughout the house. Containing deep cut paneling of various wood, several rooms feature paneling of walnut, light oak, and chinaberry and all the doors in the home are elaborately carved. An interesting feature of the first two floors is a large light-filled octagonal conservatory. An oval cut in the main floor of this reveals duplicate conservatory space beneath, the two floors being linked by a stairway. Twin bays project into the yards on the north and south sides of the home. In the dining room there is an antique banquet table of mahogany, with drop leaf ends and leaves. The private bridal/hosts loft is located on the second floor of the mansion. It contains 3,205 square feet with 12' ceiling height, six panel colonial doors, 1 x 12" molded trim. The second floor of the mansion is where the private host's loft is located. Floorplans Take a look at our floor plans below, where you will find various table set-ups and previous layouts!! These floor plans serve as a reference for those creating their own custom floor plans at the Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion. Regier-Way Wedding April Oswalt-Prill Wedding Zavala-Barrett Wedding November Seth & Sara's Wedding Reception August Baker Rehearsal Dinner April Fikes-Gilliand Wedding October Gibson-Owens Wedding November Perry Rehearsal Dinner April Brewer-Creel Micro Wedding October Micro-Wedding #1 Micro-Wedding #2 Micro-Wedding #3 Mansion Outside Dimensions Theta Tau Winter Formal November Theta Tau Winter Formal November Graduation Party December Mind Changers Fundraiser October Chi Alpha Winter Formal December Progressive Dinner Junior League : Tulips and Juleps May Century Club Party April Johnson-Coleman Wedding October Kennedy-Hendricks Wedding June Keyes-Bonner Wedding Reception May Nixon-Stone Wedding June German-Bilbro Wedding September Landers-McCann Wedding May Lugo Wedding October Pearson Baby Shower October Fulgham Wedding Shower October Martin-Bennett Reception December German-Bilbro Wedding September Brand Baby Shower July Alpha Delta Chi Fall Formal November Alpha Gamma Delta Initiation September The Jasmine Turner-Clark Foundation Event May Shaw Wedding July Coe-McKelvey Wedding September Myers Engagement Shower October Bliss-Darling Receptiion December Parson-Price Wedding November Stokes-Tribble Reception April Mansion of Mystery : A Masquerade Ball April Graduation Party December Omega Psi Phi June AOE Semiformal November Homecoming Party February Brand-Williams Wedding September Rain Plan_1 Rain Plan_2 Show More

Historic Tuscaloosa’s Haunting Tuscaloosa event brought together the Gorgas House Museum and the Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion for an unforgettable evening of history, folklore, and reflection on October 29, 2025. From 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., guests explored the stories of those who lived—and died—right here in Tuscaloosa, while discovering how cultures across time have honored life and death. Haunting Tuscaloosa Event Date: October 8, 2025 Historic Tuscaloosa’s Haunting Tuscaloosa event brought together the Gorgas House Museum and the Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion for an unforgettable evening of history, folklore, and reflection on October 29, 2025. From 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., guests explored the stories of those who lived—and died—right here in Tuscaloosa, while discovering how cultures across time have honored life and death. Visitors experienced the captivating exhibit “The Veil Between: Mortuary Practices Through the Ages,” which offered a fascinating look at funerary and mortuary traditions in both Tuscaloosa and Thailand. The exhibit guided attendees through the rites and rituals that have shaped humanity’s understanding of death across centuries and continents. Costumes, curiosity, and community spirit filled both museums as guests of all ages participated in this free event. “The Veil Between” was made possible through collaboration between the Murphy African-American Museum, Historic Tuscaloosa, the Siriraj Museum, and the Museum of Cultural Anthropology at Mahidol University in Bangkok, Thailand. Admission was free, though visitors generously contributed donations to help preserve these historic homes and support future educational programming. Historic Tuscaloosa extends its heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended and helped make Haunting Tuscaloosa a night to remember. The Gorgas House Museum, located at 810 Capstone Drive on The University of Alabama campus, and the Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion, located at 1305 Greensboro Avenue, provided the perfect historic backdrops for an evening celebrating Tuscaloosa’s layered past and shared heritage.

Historic Tuscaloosa operates and maintains five historical landmarks across the city of Tuscaloosa, The Murphy-Collins House, The McGuire-Strickland House, The Old Tavern, the Battle-Friedman House, and the Jemison-Van De Graaff Mansion. OUR PROPERTIES Historic Tuscaloosa operates and maintains five historical landmarks across the city of Tuscaloosa. We help to preserve the history of our city and county through using these structures as doorways into the past. We interact with the Tuscaloosa community and visiting tourists by using our structures to conduct daily tours, school field trips, and community projects. It is our goal that when guests enter a Historic Tuscaloosa structure, that they are transported by to its original time period, whether that is the 1820's of the Old Tavern, the 1860's of the Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion, or the early 1900's of the Murphy-Collins House. Choose a button below to learn more about our structures. Old Tavern Battle-Friedman House Murphy-Collins House Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion McGuire-Strickland House TAKE A TOUR Tours for three of our five structures are offered every Tuesday-Friday, and are $5/person/structure. The Old Tavern tour begins at 1:30pm on each of those days, followed by the Battle-Friedman House at 2:30pm, and then the Jemison-Van De Graaff Mansion at 3:30pm. The Murphy-Collins House, home of the Murphy African American Museum, is open for tours by appointment. The McGuire-Strickland House is only open for touring on special occasions as it houses the local Capitol School. Visit Us WHERE TO FIND US

Historic Tuscaloosa was excited to present Dining Through Time; A Taste of Historic Tuscaloosa. The event was held Thursday, September 29. The funds raised from this event will to go toward much needed restoration and structural repairs of the Battle Friedman House, located in downtown Tuscaloosa. This being a progressive dinner featured three of Historic Tuscaloosa’s structures. The event began with hors d’oeuvres, drinks, and entertainment at the Old Tavern. Guests then progressed to the Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion where a delectable dinner was served. The evening concluded at the Battle-Friedman Home for a delicious selection of desserts 1st Annual Progressive Dinner 2022