This Gulf Shores Museum was originally the beach home of the Cole family from Mobile, AL, on West Beach. Donated to the city, it was a library and then a youth center.
No photographs are permitted inside the museum (as you can imagine, I never like that rule!) There is a main room and several smaller ones. The history of Gulf Shores is told through informational displays and artifacts donated to the museum. Once a small fishing village, Gulf Shores evolved into a tourist destination. An exhibit showcases the National Annual Shrimp Festival and the Miss Sunny beauty winners over the years.
The East Room has exhibits from the time capsule discovered in 2012 that contained items from an earlier capsule sealed in 1975 for the Bicentennial of the US. Videos are shown on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and special occasions. Displays about hurricanes and those that have directly impacted Gulf Shores, particularly Hurricane Frederic (1979) and Ivan (2004) can also be seen in the Video Room.
Outside, artifacts from the fishing industry surround the flagpole.
The flagstaff is a mast made from a giant southern pine harvested in Louisiana. It was built in 1940 for the Sea Biscuit Shrimp Boat (first owned by John Calloway) and subsequently donated to the museum. Located in the rear next to the garden is the steeple was donated by the Oyster Bay Baptist Church in 1999.
We always enjoy visiting museums, both large and small. This one provides a good sense of the development of this community to a major resort destination in Alabama, that is still known for its fishing industry. Admission is free. For additional information about the Museum including hours of operation, go to www.gulfshoresal.gov/356/Museum.
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