Welcome to the Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives in Athens, Alabama.  We invite you to tour our facility free of admission charge anytime you are in history-rich North Alabama.  But until you can plan a trip our way, please take a moment to see a few of our exhibits on this Website.

 The Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives, located in the old L&N Freight Depot in Athens, was the brainchild of the late Limestone County, Alabama, Veterans Service Officer Kenneth David.  After collecting artifacts for an exhibit to commemorate the 50^th anniversary of the end of World War II in 1995, Ken still had many artifacts left after the exhibit closed that contributors didn’t retrieve.  He wanted a permanent place to display the artifacts to honor the brave men and women from the Civil War to the present who fought and died to keep our land free.

 The Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives opened its doors in 2000 with a few primitive displays and much renovation work still to be done. We had our Grand Opening and Dedication service on Nov. 10, 2002.  Our guest speaker was Johnny Spann of Winfield, Ala., father of Mike Spann, the first American killed in Afghanistan in the wake of the terrorist attack on America.  One week later, Ken David lost his battle with cancer.

 The museum, which is still under renovation, is divided into three areas: the Tyler Craig Memorial Library; the Bob McAbee Exhibit Hall, and the Wendell Powers Auditorium to commemorate the untold hours of volunteer labor these three museum board members gave, and continue to give, to this building.

 We have heard it commented by visitors who have seen military museum throughout the U.S. that the charm of this museum is that it celebrates the accomplishments and sacrifices of the common service person and his family on the home front, rather than extolling the oft-told glory of their commanders.  

We are staffed with volunteers.  We welcome any assistance.  At present, our official open hours are Wednesday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  However, we schedule group tours on other days. For tours, we will have available veterans from each of the wars, from WWII forward, stationed at exhibits to give first-hand accounts.  Call (256) 771-7578 for more information or to schedule a tour.

 The Website is dedicated to Ken David and all the volunteers who have made this endeavor possible.

 

Q. What is the Alabama Veteran's Museum & Archives?

A. The museum was established to preserve the memories of our veterans by creating a permanent resting place for artifacts and memorabilia.

Q.  What eras in history are housed in the museum?

A.  Artifacts from the Revolutionary War, Civil War, W.W.I , W.W.II, Korean, Viet Nam, Desert Storm and the present "Operation Enduring Freedom" are displayed

Q.  What kinds of artifacts are displayed?

A.  Uniforms, Medals, Weapons, Photographs, Books, Tapes and other interesting memorabilia.

Q.  Where is the museum located?

A.  The museum is located in the old L&N Freight Depot on West Pryor Street in Athens, Alabama next to the railroad tracks.  From Highway 31, it is approximately 1.3 miles west.

Q.  How is the museum funded?

A.  The building was a gift from the Limestone County Commission.  Funding for renovation has come from the City of Athens, State of Alabama, A Federal Grant and Fund Raising.

Funding is needed to complete renovation.  Donations of any amount are greatly appreciated and your gifts are tax deductible

 

We invite you to tour the museum and see the progress made with the efforts and labor of just a few Veterans and Volunteers.