 Joseph T. Smitherman
Historic Building
109 Union Street
Selma, Alabama 36701
(334) 874-2174
OPEN:
Tuesday - Friday 9:00a - 4:00p Saturday 8:00a - 4:00p and by appointment Admission charged
Come Right In ! Visitors to the Joseph T. Smitherman Historic Building register beneath the portrait of the man whose name the structure bears. Under his guidance, the once dilapidated property became unique among public buildings in Alabama by preserving the heritage of the past while serving the needs of today.
Since the late 1840's the three-story red brick building with its four massive Ionic columns has overlooked tree-shaded Alabama Avenue. Now restored to its original pleasing simplicity, the structure houses period furniture of the mid-1800's, collections of historic relics, club rooms for fraternal and civic groups, and spacious parlors for social events. A wide door on the first floor opens into a large reception hall, carpeted in red and lighted by an elaborate crystal chandelier. This hall provides access to parlors, a compact kitchen, administrative offices, and the museum rooms. Displayed in the museum are scores of rare items from the collection of the late Art Lewis, an authority on the Civil War period. Also on display are Selma manufactured munitions from the Civil War period which were salvaged from the Alabama River by Santiff C. Busby. Other collectors of Indian artifacts, old glass, coins, stamps and such frequently exhibit their collections in the museum rooms. Plans are to expand the scope of the museum with the renovation of the third floor of the building. On the second floor, where a broad balcony with several comfortable rocking chairs provides an excellent view of downtown Selma, are rooms furnished and used by the United Trainmen's Union and Ladies Railroad Auxiliary, the Federated Garden Clubs, the United Daughters of the Confederacy, the Communication Workers of America, the American Legion Auxiliary, the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Pilot Club of Selma, and the Civitan Club. Each of these rooms contains displays reflecting the major interests of the sponsoring groups.
Of particular interest is the antique French furniture which was saved from the Wilby Theatre, long a Selma landmark, when that building burned in 1972. Other gifts of antiques, many of them memorial gifts from individuals and from organizations, have helped to furnish the building in the gracious style of its architectural period. Surrounding the building is a passive park where visitors may stroll along shady brick walks or rest on benches beside flowing fountains. Housed in the park in a small structure supported by columns from the old Hotel Albert are four paintings by Selma native Kirk Miller which depict highlights of the history of the city.
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