There is no doubt about why the city has been designated as the state capital of Alabama. The answer is quite simple and obvious, the bars of beauty and tourism set and raised by the city are impossible to meet or beat. The beauty of the city resides in its people, culture, history, art, points-of-interest, weather, festivals, and the list of traits goes on. Now, when you have got a fair idea that something really splendid is awaiting you, then it would be unfair to hold back your wanderlust and keep you from experiencing something worthy and out of this world. Scroll down to know the city better and find out how you can get the utmost out of your visit to this resplendent city.
Image by Jamie from Toronto, ON (Hank Williams' Suit) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
History of Montgomery
Today's Montgomery has been established on the sites of two town, namely, Ikanatchati and Towassa. James McQueen, who was a Scots trader, is believed to be the first European settler in Montgomery. In 1816, Montgomery County was organized by Mississippi Territory. The following year some of county's lands were sold off at the federal land office nestled in Milledgeville, Georgia. General John Scott led the group of first European-American settlers in Montgomery. They founded Alabama Town as well as Alabama River. On December 3, 1819, the two towns, namely Alabama Town and East Alabama Town were merged and Montgomery was incorporated as a town. The growth of Montgomery was heavily driven by cotton trade's revenues. The city achieved the status of county seat in 1822. On January 28, 1846, the state capital of Alabama moved from Tuscaloosa to Montgomery. With the passage of time, the city has grown remarkably.
Important Locations in Montgomery
First White House of the Confederacy
Famed as President Jefferson
Davis' executive residence, First White House of the Confederacy is
marked with the period pieces belonging to 1850s and 1860s. From
February 1861 to late May 1861, it served as the first White House of
the Confederacy. This was the time period when Confederate capital made a
move to Richmond, Virginia. It has been enjoying its position on the
list of the National Register of Historic Places since 1974. Its House Museum is a great symbol of American Civil War
teaching and educating you on the same.
Get more information here.
The Hank Williams Museum
The
Hank Williams Museum will transport you to the heyday of the first
Country Music superstar Hank Williams. He gave the entire country a new
definition of music and enticed & roped in them to immerse into
American Music, Rock and Roll, Blues, and Rockabilly. When it comes to
music, Hank Williams had always stolen the show. Foe people, he was the
music; he epitomized the music. To experience his presence, visit the
museum which showcases his 1952 Baby Blue Cadillac, portraits, hats,
suits, ties, boots, horse saddle, awards, furniture, records, albums,
and a lot of more.
Get detailed info here.
Alabama Department of Archives and History
Established
in 1901, Alabama Department of Archives and History was opened
as America's first state department of archives and history. Thomas
McAdory Owen became its first
director and served the facility for almost 20 years. The core
mission of the facility is to lending a helping hand to state agencies
as well as local governments in preserving their records of historical
value, to preserve modern records, namely, video tapes, computer
records, and photographs, to conduct educational programs for students,
visitors, and its community, to ensure the security of Archives'
collection, and to extend its services by using new information
technology.
For detailed info, click here.
Dexter Parsonage Museum
The
Dexter Parsonage Museum is famed as home to Dexter Avenue King Memorial
Baptist Church's pastors from 1920 till 1992. To revere this historic
place, Dexter Parsonage Museum was listed on the National Register of
Historic Places in 1982. Nestled adjacent to Dexter Parsonage Museum,
the Interpretive Center is marked with an orientation room where
visitors are shown the videos based on pastoral life, Dr. King’s family,
and community. It also conducts group discussions based on the same.
The Interpretive Center also conducts permanent exhibit showcasing a
timeline of photographs related to Dexter pastors who resided in the
Parsonage.
Find more details here.
Rosa Parks Museum
In
line with public benefit and education, the Rosa Parks Museum is
engaged into interpreting the works and materials related to those who
were associated with Montgomery Bus Boycott. Those materials reflect
the accomplishments and events of those people involved. The Rosa Parks
Museum is decked up with a multimedia auditorium, a permanent exhibit,
temporary exhibit space, classrooms, a time machine, conference room,
and archives. Serving a breadth of visitors, this museum helps greatly
in accentuating tourism in Montgomery as well as Alabama.
Know more about it here.
Montgomery Zoo
Established
in 1920s, Montgomery Zoo has flourished and expanded well with the time
passage of time. You can get a lucky chance to mingle up with a breadth
of animal species belonging to various regions around the globe, like,
Asia, Australia, South America, Africa, and North America. Andean
Condor, Sumatran Tiger, Banteng, Cheetah, Maned Wolf, Chimpanzee, Indian
Rhino, Formosan Sika Deer, Slender-Horned Gazelle, and many others are
amongst the endangered animals who are provided with a shelter and
intense care at Montgomery Zoo. Get a chance to catch a glimpse of
whopping Giraffes from a very close proximity.
Click here to know more.
The Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum
The
Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum is engaged into preserving and
protecting the last surviving home which belongs to Fitzgeralds. Its
exhibits educate people on the life events of Scott and Zelda
Fitzgerald. Fulfilling and flourishing the dream and endeavor of Scott
Fitzgerald, the museum conducts and sponsors writing and author
mentoring programs providing a platform for neophyte writers. It also
showcases the artifacts to educate people on the life saga of Scott and
Zelda Fitzgerald and motivate them through the books based on
Fitzgeralds' lives.
Visit the link to know more.
Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts
Renowned
as the oldest fine arts museum in Alabama, the Montgomery Museum of
Fine Arts was established in 1930. It was a commendable endeavor of
noteworthy artist John Kelly Fitzpatrick, "Morning View Painters," and
Mrs. Harry S. Houghton. Its splendid collection showcases American art
denoting noteworthy masters in every period, work symbolizes modern
American Studio Art Glass, and spectacular collection of Outsider
Artists. Its special exhibitions showcases the jaw-dropping objects from
Rodin to Stephen Rolfe Powell.
For more details, click here.
People and Culture of Montgomery
The city is home to myriads of people representing a wide spectrum of races, ethnic groups, and religious institutions, namely, African Americans or Blacks, Whites, Asians, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, Hispanics or Latinos, and non-Hispanic Whites. The art scene of Montgomery is believed to be one of the biggest flourishing art scene in the United States. Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, The Society of Arts and Crafts, Montgomery Zoo, The Hank Williams Museum, Alabama Department of Archives and History, Blount Park, Davis Theatre for the Performing Arts, and F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum are the noteworthy and the most significant pillars of Montgomery's cultural and art scene.
Time Zone and Phone Codes of Montgomery
Montgomery is in the Central Time Zone (UTC-6). The Summer Daylight Saving Time (DST) is Central Daylight Time (UTC-5).
Standard time zone: UTC/GMT -6 hours
Daylight saving time: 1 hour
Current time zone offset: UTC/GMT -5 hour
Time zone abbreviation: CDT
Phone Code of Montgomery: 334
Best Time to Visit Montgomery
The period between March 15 and May 17 is said to be the ideal time to
venture into the city. During this time period, the air remains neither
muggy nor dry. If you are thinking about hitting the city only during the most pleasant
time, then we must tell you that the duration between September 28 and
November 26 is also considered the most agreeable time to do so. The air remains neither
muggy nor dry. Scroll down to know how many full-of-hues festivals are awaiting you. Hit the city and immerse into merry time.
March-MaySouthern MakersEarth Day SafariSecond SaturdayAlabama Book FestivalThe Fitzgerald GalaOld Alabama Town Herb Society Herb Day FestivalThe Flimp FestivalAgape's Run For A Mom 5k & Fun RunMontgomery Symphony Jubilee Pops Concert
June-AugustHank's Birthday BashSecond Saturday
Military Appreciation DayCycling for SightSummer Animal Enrichment DayBuckmasters Expo
September-NovemberZoobilation
Hank's Birthday Bash
Veteran’s Week 2016Military Appreciation Day
Turkey Day Classic
December-FebruaryChristmas Lights FestivalThe Old School Music Festival
First Sundays At One
A Map Guide on Important Locations in Montgomery
