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 50th
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 2 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.
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