Clarke County Museum (Alabama)
| Name | Clarke County Museum (officially the Clarke County Historical Museum) |
|---|---|
| Type | Local History Museum in a historic house |
| Address | 116 W. Cobb Street, Grove Hill, Alabama 36451 |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 388, Grove Hill, AL 36451 |
| Phone | Office: 251-275-8684 | Bookstore: 251-275-2014 |
| museum@clarkemuseum.com | |
| Website | https://www.clarkemuseum.com/ |
| View on OpenStreetMap | OpenStreetMap |
| Directions | Open in Google Maps |
| Organization | Clarke County Historical Society (private nonprofit, founded in 1972) |
| Building | Alston–Cobb House (built 1854) |
| Museum Milestones | Purchased: 1980 | Opened: 1986 |
| Hours | Posted online on multiple pages (confirm by phone for day-by-day timing) |
| On-Site Highlights | Historic rooms, rotating exhibits, bookstore, and a research room |
Set in Grove Hill, the Clarke County Historical Museum (often called the Clarke County Museum) is a place where everyday life takes center stage. You walk into an 1854 home and meet Clarke County stories through objects, rooms, and carefully kept details—simple, local, and memorable.
Visitor Note: The museum’s website lists slightly different public hours in different places. For the smoothest visit, use the office phone to confirm the exact schedule for your preferred day.
A Museum Built Around a House
The museum lives inside the Alston–Cobb House, a two-story home built in 1854. The Clarke County Historical Society purchased the property in 1980 and opened the museum in 1986, shaping it into a public place for local history.
- Original layout: four rooms downstairs and two upstairs, connected by a center hall.
- Wide porches span the front of the house, upstairs and down, giving the building its classic silhouette.
- Craft details include a heart cypress banister and large brick chimneys at each end.
Why The Building Matters
In many museums, the galleries are the main attraction. Here, the rooms and the architecture are part of the collection. That setting helps visitors read the objects with fresh eyes—furniture, tools, documents, and keepsakes feel close to real life.
It’s easy to lose track of time while visitingg, because each space has its own rhythm—quiet, focused, and very human.
Collections and Exhibit Spaces
The museum presents Clarke County history through a mix of permanent rooms and a temporary exhibit room. Displays can shift over time, so repeat visits feel rewarding—new themes appear, and familiar rooms gain fresh context.
What You’ll Typically Find Inside
- Room-by-room storytelling that follows changing eras in local life, anchored by real artifacts.
- Rotating displays using items from the museum’s collection and loaned materials.
- A bookstore that supports the mission with local publications and research-friendly titles.
Historic Buildings on The Grounds
Beyond the main house, the museum grounds include several historic structures that visitors can tour during open times. These buildings add texture—work, craft, and community are easier to picture when you can step into spaces that were built for everyday use.
| Structure | Known Date | Why It’s Notable |
|---|---|---|
| Creagh Law Office | circa 1834 | A small, early professional building that was moved to the museum grounds in 1990 and is still in community use today. |
| Turner Corn Crib | donated 2001 | Carefully disassembled and reassembled by volunteers; now used to display rural heritage items. |
| Mathews Cabin | acquired 2005 | Moved to the museum grounds and preserved with ongoing finishing work to keep the cabin’s historic character. |
Creagh Law Office
Believed to be among the oldest surviving law-office structures of its kind in Alabama, this small building is dated to around 1834. It was moved to the museum grounds in 1990 and remains connected to local civic life.
Turner Corn Crib
Donated in 2001, the corn crib was rebuilt on-site through careful volunteer work. Today it houses farm implements and related objects that highlight Clarke County’s rural roots.
Mathews Cabin
The Mathews Cabin was purchased by the Historical Society in 2005 and moved to the museum grounds for preservation. The museum describes it as nearly complete, with finishing work designed to keep the cabin’s period feel while supporting public access.
Research and Genealogy Resources
The museum supports local research with a reference collection and a research space called the Griffin Research Room. Research use is appointment-based and designed for self-directed work, so visitors can focus on their own family lines and local questions.
- Appointments are scheduled by calling the museum office at 251-275-8684.
- Research materials mentioned by the museum include decades of the Clarke County Historical Quarterly, local newspapers on microfilm, and family history books.
- The Historical Society has published its Historical Quarterly since 1976, with back issues available through the museum’s bookstore.
Nearby Research Stops Mentioned by the Museum
For broader local records, the museum points researchers to the Clarke County Courthouse (251-275-3251, weekdays 8 a.m.–5 p.m.) and the Grove Hill Public Library (251-275-8157, weekdays 10:30 a.m.–5 p.m.).
Programs, Tours, and Community Work
Guided tours are offered during regular operating hours, and groups are encouraged to call ahead so the visit can be set up smoothly. The museum reports serving 3,000+ visitors in a year and reaching over 1,000 students through tours and outreach.
- Guided tours can be arranged through the office at 251-275-8684.
- The museum hosts an annual Pioneer Day, a living-history style program that has drawn 1,200+ attendees.
- Hands-on demonstrations have included traditional skills and heritage crafts, creating a warm, family-friendly atmosphere.
Hours and Contact Details
Address: 116 W. Cobb Street, Grove Hill, AL 36451
Phone: Office 251-275-8684 | Bookstore 251-275-2014
Email: museum@clarkemuseum.com
Commonly listed public hours include Tuesday–Friday 10 a.m.–4 p.m.. Other pages also list Monday 12 p.m.–4 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.–2 p.m., so checking by phone is the best way to match your visit to the latest schedule.