1a0227be-c891-414b-b9dd-8fdfc647581f In the News... We work hard to get our efforts noticed by the media and are so proud when this goal comes to fruition. Take a look at some of our latest coverage and help spread the word about all the amazing developments at Historic Tuscaloosa!!

d258196a-06f8-4af1-958a-802b4c3bd6c3 In the News... We work hard to get our efforts noticed by the media and are so proud when this goal comes to fruition. Take a look at some of our latest coverage and help spread the word about all the amazing developments at Historic Tuscaloosa!!

Learn more about Historic Tuscaloosa's property, the Murphy-Collins House. The Murphy-Collins House has been listed in the National Register as a historic site. Murphy Collins Museum 2601 Paul W. Bryant Dr. Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 Brief History The Murphy-Collins House is the home of the Murphy African American Museum. Tuscaloosa’s first licensed black mortician, Mr. Will J. Murphy built this two-story craftsman bungalow in the early 1920s as his private residence. Materials from the old state capitol building a few blocks away, such as bricks and windowsills, were salvaged when it burned in 1923 and used in the house’s construction. Today, the structure operates as a museum focusing on the lifestyle of affluent blacks during the early 1900s. Tours can be arranged by contacting the staff at 205-758-2861. This is a property owned by the City of Tuscaloosa and managed by Historic Tuscaloosa. The Murphys The Murphy's home was built around 1923 by African-American contractors hired by Will and his wife, Laura. Bricks, beams, windowsills and other materials salvaged from the burned remnants of Alabama’s Capitol in Tuscaloosa. Will Murphy was the first licensed black mortician and funeral director in Tuscaloosa and also a successful businessman. His wife, Laura B. Murphy was an educator who taught at Central School and St. Paul Lutheran School before she was appointed the principal at 20th Street Elementary School. William Murphy William Murphy was born in 1872 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and was married to Laura Murphy who was the principal of the 20th Street School and she was a graduate of Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical School. He was Tuscaloosa’s first licensed black embalmer/mortician and funeral director but did not cease to continue to build his legacy. He went on to buy the entire stock of the Tuscaloosa Undertaking Company in 1916, thus making himself the sole owner of all the embalming stock in Tuscaloosa. Murphy hired African-American contractor George Clopton to build this two-story craftsman bungalow in the early 1920’s as his private residence. Materials from the old state capitol building, such as bricks and windowsills, were salvaged when it burned in 1923 and used in the house’s construction. He was one of the few affluent African Americans in Tuscaloosa and serves as a role model too many to this day. Ms. Collins After the Murphys owned the house, it was sold to Sylvia Collins, who lived in the home for a time and rented it to the Phoenix House, a nonprofit for women, and later men, recovering from alcoholism. Ruthie Pitts formed the organization Revealing a Heritage in 1985, which ultimately led to the foundation of the Murphy African-American Museum. The city of Tuscaloosa purchased the house from Collins in 1986 in order to preserve it and continue the museum foundation. Visit the Museum The Murphy-Collins Home houses the Murphy African-American Museum. The museum focuses on both the individual families who lived in the home and on the history of African-American life and culture surrounding Tuscaloosa, AL. The Museum is available for touring every Tuesday-Friday. All tours must be scheduled by calling the Museum at 205-758-2238. Call to Schedule a Tour What People Say DEBRA B. "A lot of rich history and the guide was very knowledgeable in Tuscaloosa's part in the Civil Rights movement." IAN C. "Unique Small Museum. Downstairs has a guided tour of rooms set up similar to how the house was used. Upstairs rooms are set up as exhibits on various subjects of African American history. Guide had incredible and powerful accounts of people involved with the Bloody Tuesday events at First African Baptist Church which is one block over." DELORES W. "Great History of African Americans. The tour guide was very knowledgeable." Want to add a review from your trip to see the Murphy-Collins House and Museum? Leave your review for us on our Trip Advisor page. Review Us

Holiday Open House 2025 Historic Tuscaloosa's annual Holiday Open House featured five Historic Tuscaloosa properties, Sunday, December 7. Guests took a stroll through history, celebrating the traditions of the season and enjoyed the ambiance in these beautiful historic structures 🎀🎄

Historic Tuscaloosa's Holiday Event | Pine & Prosecco: An Evening of Fun, Food and Floral Design | Tuscaloosa Alabama | Dec 6 2022 Pine & Prosecco 🌲🥂 Historic Tuscaloosa's Holiday Event: Pine & Prosecco: An Evening of Fun, Food and Floral Design

< Back Historic Tuscaloosa Lecture Series https://business.tuscaloosachamber.com/events/details/historic-tuscaloosa-lecture-series-08-25-2022-9505 Previous Next

16869334-675c-4b6c-bb8e-b1633d6b1c32 In the News... We work hard to get our efforts noticed by the media and are so proud when this goal comes to fruition. Take a look at some of our latest coverage and help spread the word about all the amazing developments at Historic Tuscaloosa!!

Tuscaloosa Cameo Guild Easter Egg Hunt 2023 took place Sunday April 2 2023 from 2-4 PM at the Battle-Friedman House and Gardens in Tuscaloosa Alabama. Tuscaloosa Cameo Guild 13th Annual Easter Egg Hunt 🐰 The Cameo Guild of Tuscaloosa and Historic Tuscaloosa proudly invited the community to visit this historic home on the afternoon of Sunday April 2, 2023. The goal for this event is to raise funds that will go toward a current project of the junior class’s choosing within Historic Tuscaloosa while providing a safe and fun environment for the young participants.

Historic Tuscaloosa’s 2024 Century Club Party was on April 25, 2024 at 1 North Pinehurst Drive. Century Club Party 2024 Thanks to our wonderful and hospitable hosts, Paul and Angie Moreton, we had a lovely evening at our annual Century Club Party on Thursday, April 25, 2024. 🙏 We would also like to thank our very own Cal Wilson for again providing beautiful floral arrangements for this event. 😍💐 Our Century Club party was held at 1 Pinehurst Drive. Paul and Angie Moreton, the owners of this magnificent home, were awarded a Brick-and-Mortar Award in 2022 for their time, effort, and dedication to its restoration. 👏 We were thrilled to have the opportunity to see the inside of this Prairie-style home! 🤩🙌 1 Pinehurst Drive (Fitts House) was the former home of lumberman and banker William F. Fitts. Constructed in 1915, it is an example of Prairie-style Architecture. The initials W.F.F., a remnant of the original owner, are still very visible on the terrazzo flooring on the front porch. 🔎 We learned that the Prairie style celebrates the long, low landscape of the Midwest. Its most defining characteristic is its emphasis on the horizontal rather than the vertical. Prairie homes spread out over their lots, featuring flat or shallow hipped roof lines, rows of windows, overhanging eaves, and bands of stone, wood, or brick across the surface. Thin Roman bricks sometimes enhance the effect, and cantilevers often extend the horizontal line without vertical support. Even the unwelcome verticals of downspouts are either eliminated or carefully placed.

Ramble Columbus, MS 2022 Saturday August 13, Historic Tuscaloosa rambled on over to Columbus, MS, to view a marvelous lineup of historic homes. Properties included Temple Heights (1837), Riverview Mansion (1847), Whitehall Mansion (1843), and Historic Rosedale (1855).

Progressive Dinner 2022

Don’t miss out on our exclusive events, discounts, and lectures. Members are always the first to know whenever there is something new happening at Historic Tuscaloosa, and they enjoy exclusive events as well. Get great benefits, discounts and savings by becoming a member of Historic Tuscaloosa. Membership Join Historic Tuscaloosa Whether you’re new to the area or a lifelong resident, we’d love to have you join our mission to preserve Tuscaloosa’s history. Click Here to Join Membership is open to anyone interested in historic preservation. Voting membership is granted to those current on dues. Honorary Memberships may be conferred by the Board for special contributions (non-voting). Annual Meeting - Held each August as the organization’s General Meeting. Student and regular memberships entitle the member to free tours of all structures, free admission to lectures, first access to our sponsored events, and a copy of the yearly newsletter, The Preservationist. Junior Century Club and Century Club memberships entitle the member(s) to the same privileges as regular membership as well as discounts on the use of any structures for events, an invitation to the Century Club party, and priority access to Rambles. Sustaining and Grand Benefactor memberships entitle the member(s) to the same privileges as Century Club membership as well as special recognition which may be in the form of a gift. Legacy Membership entitles the member(s) to the same privileges as Grand Benefactor memberships as well as gifts or recognition as determined by the Board. Membership renewals are due and payable at the start of the fiscal year. Membership letters will be mailed in September. A member in good standing must be current in payment of membership dues. Student Membership $20 per person, per year Student memberships entitle the members to free tours of all structures, free admission to lectures, access to sponsored events, and a copy of the yearly newsletter, The Preservationist. This membership is only for High school students, undergraduate, or graduate students enrolled full-time for credit in an institution of higher education. Join as a Student Member Regular Membership $50 per person, per year Regular memberships entitle the members to free tours of all structures, free admission to lectures, access to our sponsored events, and a copy of the yearly newsletter, The Preservationist. Join as a Regular Member Jr. Century Club Membership $100 per person or couple, per year Must be under the age of 40. Receives the same privileges as regular membership, as well as discounts on the use of structures for events, and invitation to the annual Century Club party, and priority access to Ramble events. Join as a Jr. Century Club Member Century Club Membership $200 per person or couple, per year Receives the same privileges as regular membership, as well as discounts on the use of structures for events, an invitation to the annual Century Club party, and priority access to Ramble events. Join as a Century Club Member Sustaining Membership $500 per person or couple, per year Receives the same privileges as Century Club membership, as well as special recognition in Historic Tuscaloosa programs. Join as a Sustaining Member Grand Benefactor Membership $1,000 per person or couple, per year Receives the same privileges as Century Club membership, as well as special recognition in Historic Tuscaloosa programs. Join as a Grand Benefactor Member Legacy Membership Legacy Membership Pledge Receives the same privileges as Grand Benefactor membership. Join as a Legacy Member Cameo Membership Join as a Cameo Guild Member Support our Mission Our mission is to promote awareness and appreciation of Tuscaloosa County’s historic and cultural heritage. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on grants, donations, and community support. If membership isn’t for you, you can still help preserve our history by donating today. Support Historic Tuscaloosa