Blog – Gorgas House Museum

Historical Breakfast at the Gorgas House Museum

May 7, 2024

On Monday, April 29th, the Gorgas House hosted its first Historical Breakfast event with over 100 students attending. The purpose of the event was to give students a fun, immersive experience while learning about the history of The Gorgas House Museum as the first dining hall on campus. Built in 1829, the original purpose of the Gorgas House building was to be where the students ate on campus. From 1831 to 1847, The Gorgas House, or “the Steward’s Hall” as […]

Building on the Educational Legacy of the Gorgas House Museum

April 1, 2024

UA Museums is happy to announce Sonya Harwood-Johnson as the new Director of the Gorgas House Museum, filling a vacancy created by Dr. Brandon Thompson’s appointment as the new UA Museums Curator of History. Sonya has an MA in Religion in Culture, Digital Humanities Certificate, and Online Pedagogy Certificate from The University of Alabama and a BS degree in Anthropology and Religious Studies from Iowa State University. Sonya comes to UA Museums from the UA International Student and Scholar Services Office where she was […]

Chiba University Tours the Gorgas House Museum

September 20, 2023

a group of Japanese students from Chiba University touring the Gorgas House Museum

Campus historical spaces and narratives possess the ability to appeal to all the university’s community members.

Slow Art Day 2023

April 15, 2023

A dress form/figure showcasing possibilities of American self determination before and after antebellum period

Our location at the heart of The University of Alabama’s campus creates near-limitless opportunities for student and faculty engagement.

Cultures, Not Costumes

November 11, 2022

Southern Cloth Buckskin with matching jewelry and adornments

First celebrated in 1990, Native American Heritage Month (NAHM) is a time to recognize the significant contributions the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the United States. Decades in the making, it is a month dedicated to celebrating the diverse cultures, rich histories, and important contributions of the nation’s first people.

Dresses That Were Threaded Through History

September 30, 2022

The Gorgas House Museum, and museums in general, provide spaces for people from multiple disciplines, interests, and backgrounds to come together. This includes our off-campus community members as well as University of Alabama students, faculty, and staff. Often though, our partnerships include other museums and organizations.

Museum Preservation and Conservation Efforts

August 24, 2022

Museum preservation and conservation efforts often include the maintenance of the museum itself. Historic house museums, like the Gorgas House Museum, require special care and expertise to maintain or repair the structure’s integrity.

Camp 1831

August 9, 2022

Many colleges and universities offer first-year experience programs similar to The University of Alabama’s Camp 1831. These programs help new students in their transition to their selected institution with events, tours, and other activities.

Engaging With the Space

July 18, 2022

History shows us that change is constant. And this is true for historic spaces, the narratives they share, and the interpretations they develop. The built environment, including buildings, walkways, fountains, and landscaping, all change based on the needs and wants of the people of their time.

Exhibit Development and Research

July 13, 2022

Museums and art galleries create exhibits to showcase specific topics of interest. These can be about a specific moment, historic event, person, interpretation, or almost anything deemed educational.

Gorgas House Museum

University of Alabama Museums

Category: Blog