The Bessemer Hall of History Museum
The Bessemer Hall of History Museum
4.5
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
11 reviews
Excellent
4
Very good
6
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
interceptpubs
Columbus, IN975 contributions
Apr 2019 • Solo
This free museum provides insights into the people and events that have shaped this small city just outside of Birmingham. Founded in 1886 to take advantage of a geologic oddity whereby iron ore, coal, and limestone (the three basic ingredients needed to make steel) were available locally, Bessemer grew rapidly with 1,000 people living here in just a few months and reaching a population of 4,000 in just two years - leading it to be called the "marvel city" (not to be confused with nearby Birmingham, the "miracle city").
The museum occupies the former Alabama Great Southern Railroad depot. As might be expected, there is a large collection of railroad related material on display, but also exhibits covering the iron and steel industry, military history (mostly Civil War of course, but also other wars where local citizens have served - one notable item on display is a typewriter brought back from Hitler's "Eagle's Nest" retreat in the Alps by a local soldier), the civil rights movement (Martin Luther King, Jr. was arrested here in 1967, and the door of his jail cell is on display), etc.
We covered this interesting little museum in about 30 minutes and think it certainly is worth a stop if you happen to be in town.
The museum occupies the former Alabama Great Southern Railroad depot. As might be expected, there is a large collection of railroad related material on display, but also exhibits covering the iron and steel industry, military history (mostly Civil War of course, but also other wars where local citizens have served - one notable item on display is a typewriter brought back from Hitler's "Eagle's Nest" retreat in the Alps by a local soldier), the civil rights movement (Martin Luther King, Jr. was arrested here in 1967, and the door of his jail cell is on display), etc.
We covered this interesting little museum in about 30 minutes and think it certainly is worth a stop if you happen to be in town.
Written 22 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sondra Y Hill-Ward
Bessemer, AL59 contributions
Sept 2017 • Family
We had a great time discovering Bessemer. The replica of Bessemer's downtown is very detailed. You could tell that much time was dedicated to it.
Written 9 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wvlngth10
Bessemer, AL116 contributions
Apr 2017
Lots of History here from the Bessemer area, especially from back in the days of Railroad travel.....
Written 21 December 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KevinMuir
Bessemer, AL419 contributions
Apr 2016 • Couples
We have visited many times, we stopped in to do some research using their abundant amount of resources. There is also a museum of Bessemer history and the staff is as wonderful as you can ask for. A must see for anyone looking for Bessemer history or just history in general.
Written 15 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Judy N
Birmingham, United States37 contributions
Oct 2015
If you are a history buff or a resident of area.... you will love to visit the (OLD DEPOT) museum in Bessemer.
Written 27 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dayle D
9 contributions
Jul 2016 • Solo
A small, but very interesting history museum that is located in a 100 year old Southern Railroad depot. The museum includes in its collection many diverse items such as a 1911 Excelsior Motorcycle, a 1900 era time clock and a World War II German typewriter taken from Hitler's Eagle Nest. The museum does not charge admission, but does accept donations to help support its operation and maintenance.
Written 27 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Exploring Adventures
2 contributions
Jul 2021
I wanted to visit this museum for quite sometime now, and i finally had time to visit, it is a small and quick free walkthrough museum, they do accept donations.
They have a mix of historical items of Bessemer Alabama, including African American history/Civil rights, Military/War, police, railway and sports items.
Being that this museum was once a railway station, it’s next to the tracks, and trains do and did pass by every so often, on our visit we got to see a small passenger train and a freight train passing by.
I was extremely happy with my visit and I encourage anyone to visit Bessemer Hall of History!
The staff are friendly and informative, and they have a small gift shop.
They have a mix of historical items of Bessemer Alabama, including African American history/Civil rights, Military/War, police, railway and sports items.
Being that this museum was once a railway station, it’s next to the tracks, and trains do and did pass by every so often, on our visit we got to see a small passenger train and a freight train passing by.
I was extremely happy with my visit and I encourage anyone to visit Bessemer Hall of History!
The staff are friendly and informative, and they have a small gift shop.
Written 20 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kelvin M
4 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
The Museum is a two room building with small items to view from Bessemer history. There are some items from black history and the start of the city of Bessemer.
Written 5 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Caleb J
Fayetteville, GA1,170 contributions
Apr 2017 • Solo
Well, stopped here for some learning. Well I feel like I learn some things. Learn more about Bessemer and what happened in the old times in Bessemer.
Written 8 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BessemerJudySmith
Bessemer33 contributions
Sept 2015 • Friends
It's been awhile, and I really plan to go back soon. This is one place that I enjoy because I have lived on the western side of Birmingham and in Hueytown, Fairfield, and Bessemer all my life. It is just fun for me to see places that may not still exist or may be very changed from the way they looked when I was younger.
Written 22 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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