Arlington Antebellum Home & Gardens

Arlington Antebellum Home & Gardens is a historic house museum in Birmingham, Alabama, and the city’s only surviving antebellum mansion. Set on roughly six landscaped acres near downtown, the property offers a window into life in the region before and during the Civil War era.

About the House

The two-story frame house was built in the 1840s and is an example of Greek Revival architecture. Owned and operated as a museum by the City of Birmingham, Arlington is furnished with 19th-century decorative arts, furniture and artifacts that reflect the period. The grounds feature mature trees and gardens, making it a popular setting for tours, events and weddings.

Historical Significance

Arlington is notable not only for its architecture but for its role in local history. The property predates the founding of Birmingham itself (the city was established in 1871) and survived the upheaval of the Civil War, giving visitors a tangible link to the area’s earlier rural past. As the city’s last antebellum house, it stands as a rare physical reminder of what the land looked like before Birmingham grew into an industrial center.

What to Expect on a Visit

A visit typically centers on a guided tour of the house, where docents discuss the architecture, period furnishings and the history of the property. The surrounding gardens and lawns are part of the experience and are well suited to a stroll before or after a tour. Because the focus is the historic house and its collection, visitors should plan for a walking tour rather than a hands-on exhibit hall.

Visiting Information

• Address: 331 Cotton Avenue SW, Birmingham, AL 35211
• Phone: 205-780-5656
• Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (last tour ticket sold at 2:30 p.m.)
• Closed: Sunday, Monday and city holidays

Admission

General admission is modest, with reduced rates for students and group rates available for parties of ten or more. Because hours, pricing and event schedules can change, visitors are encouraged to confirm current details by phone before planning a trip.

Events and Rentals

In addition to guided tours, Arlington hosts seasonal events and is available as a rental venue for weddings, receptions and private functions in its house and gardens. The museum also serves as an educational resource for school groups and history enthusiasts interested in 19th-century Alabama, and group tours can often be arranged in advance.

The Gardens and Grounds

The six-acre setting is as much a part of Arlington’s appeal as the house itself. Mature shade trees, lawns and seasonal plantings frame the property and provide a quiet green space close to the city. The grounds are a popular backdrop for photography and outdoor gatherings, and their scale makes the site feel like a small historic estate rather than a single building. Visitors are often encouraged to allow time to walk the grounds in addition to touring the house.

Planning Your Visit

Arlington works well as a focused half-day outing, especially for those interested in history, architecture or gardens. Because hours can shift around holidays and private events, calling ahead is the safest way to confirm that the house is open for tours on a given day. Visitors arriving for a guided tour should aim to come before the last ticket time, and groups of ten or more should contact the museum in advance to arrange a group visit and confirm rates.

Frequently Asked Questions