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Selma, Alabama, is known for its role in the Civil Rights movement. There are several different landmarks around town directly related to the Voting Rights March of 1965. This entry focuses on the other attractions in town, some of which were created to commemorate the Civil Rights movement.
National Voting Rights Museum
First, if you’re entering Selma from Montgomery, on the left hand side before crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge is the National Voting Rights Museum, located near the spot where police attacked protesters trying to cross the bridge for the first time March 7, 1965. It’s supposed to be a fantastic museum but it was closed when we arrived.
The museum hours are 10am to 4pm Monday to Thursday, but the ranger at the National Park Service’s Selma Interpretive Center across the bridge told us it isn’t always open when it should be. Adult admission is US$6.50 (as of January 2024).
Civil Rights Memorial Park
Across the street is the Civil Rights Memorial Park. It includes granite monuments dedicated to leaders and protesters who partook in the Voting Rights March; a mural honoring Martin Luther King Jr. and those killed as a result of the march; and other monuments.
There’s also a trail through a wooded area and a Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and Tomb of the Unknown Slave. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is dedicated to the 40,000 black men who died fighting in the Civil War. The Tomb of the Unknown Slave is dedicated to the unknown millions of African people who died during the years of slavery.
Broad Street
When you finally cross the bridge, you’re looking at downtown Selma. Straight ahead is Broad Street, which runs north through town. Water Street is the first street at the end of the bridge.
Songs of Selma Park
At the corner of the bridge and Water Street is Songs of Selma Park, where you can get a good look at the bridge and of the Alabama River.
Water Street
Heading east on Water Street, it’s very depressed with lots of abandoned historic buildings, but they have charm. Other than the cars parked near the corner with Broad Street, sadly, there wasn’t a soul in sight.
St. James Hotel
The first important building you come to on Water Street is the St. James Hotel. It was built in 1837 and was once managed by Benjamin Sterling Turner, the first African American to serve in the US Congress. Considered to be one of the most haunted places in Alabama, the hotel had fallen into disrepair long before we walked by. Fortunately, the hotel reopened in February 2021 after a long renovation.
Along the ground floor on the outside of the hotel, which was mostly boarded up, there were chalk drawings on display. They were made by local students commemorating the Voting Rights March.
Riverside Park
Just after the St. James Hotel, we turned right and entered Riverside Park, which is a nice green space on the Alabama River.
Slavery and Civil War Museum
Further along is the Slavery and Civil War Museum. We had also planned to visit this museum, but it was unfortunately closed when we walked by. It’s supposed to be open 10am to 5pm with an adult admission of US$6.50 (as of January 2024). You can get combined admission to the this museum and the National Voting Rights Museum for US$10.90 (as of January 2024).
Old Depot Museum
At the end of Water Street is the Old Depot Museum, which chronicles the history of Selma from its founding through the Civil War and Civil Rights movement. It’s housed in a former railway depot built in 1891 on the site of the Confederate Naval Foundry. The museum is open Monday through Friday from 10am to 4pm, but we decided not to visit. Adult admission is US$7 (as of January 2024).
Vaughan-Smitherman Museum
Finally, there are two important antebellum structures located in Selma. First is the Vaughan-Smitherman Museum. This Greek Revival building was built in 1847 as the Central Masonic Institute, and served as a Confederate hospital during the Civil War. It was also used as the Dallas County Courthouse from 1866 to 1902, the Selma Military Institute from 1902 to 1908, and the Vaughan Memorial Hospital from 1911 to 1960. It sat vacant until the city purchased the building in 1969 and restored it in 1973.
The Vaughn-Smitherman Museum is dedicated to the history of Selma. The third floor is set up as a hospital, probably as it would have looked during its time as the Vaughn Memorial Hospital. It’s open Tuesday to Saturday from 9am to 4pm. Admission is charged.
Sturdivant Hall
The other building is Sturdivant Hall, which is further to the north. It was built in 1856 for Colonel Edward T. Watts and is known as one of the finest Greek Revival mansions in the South. The city of Selma bought the house in 1957 and converted it into a museum. It’s open Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 4pm and charges a reasonable admission.
