Alabama Shakespeare Festival - Montgomery Alabama

The Alabama Shakespeare Festival is located in Montgomery Alabama. It's something that many people around the south have heard of, but few have actually been there and fewer know the history behind this great treasure. The Festival was orginally located in Aniston Alabama and was in a high school and only ran plays six weeks out of the year. In the early 80s the festival faced financial problems, which is when the new building was built in Montgomery on a 250 acre park, by a lover of the arts. Thus creating the Shakespeare Festival that we know today. This Festival will show about 14 different plays each year and at least three will be some of Shakespeare's works, the other stages will perform other classics from writers such as Shaw, Chekhov, Wilder, and many more.

I myself have been to this Festival two times, when I was younger and once when I was older. The

first two trips that I took, were as school trips and I had fun but didn't truly appreciate it until I was a

little older. The building itself is something to see, but also the grounds. The festival sits on 250 acres of land that is a site to see just driving to the stages. The park is open from dusk until dawn every day, and well worth seeing and it's a great place to picnic and even bring your dog, (but dogs must be on a leash). The normal rules do apply, things like do not harm the wildlife, or mess up the pieces of art that are on the property, pick up after yourself, things that are not only rules but just the right things to do. It's a good idea to make sure that you check the weather schedule before heading out as the more beautiful the day the better.

It's easy to purchase tickets if you wish to see a show at the Festival it's best to contact them through their website. However a few things that you should note, children under the age of six are not permitted in the shows, there might be a show at some point for children but this rule is to ensure the performers safety and the patrons enjoyment of the show. Casual attire is what a lot of people wear to the shows they attend, a wide range of attire can be seen when you go. However the times that I went I worn a casual dress, and felt comfortable and thought it was appropriate, so I would recommend nice, but casual. If you are interested to learn more about the performance or ask the actors any questions you might want to know that after each afternoon performance there is a short question and answer with the cast. I had the pleasure of going to a show that had this and I found out so much about the performances. If you want to know even more about the festival you can book a behind the scenes tour. You should contact the box office to find out when it is available and pricing, I have always wanted to do that, but have not had the chance to yet. Seeing a show here is something that I would highly recommend to anyone.


The Alabama Shakespeare Festival website will have all the information on tickets and shows.

Alabama State Capitol - Montgomery Alabama

The Alabama State Capitol Building is not only a building that is in use today, it's also a place in which many  historic events took place. Today it's used to help run the state of Alabama, but visitors can also take a trip there to see certain areas of the building and grounds. I remember my first trip to the building when I was in fourth grade, and have been a couple since them. Every time I go I notice something different and interesting that I never noticed before. That is why I really encourage people that are going to visit to make sure that they give themselves enough to time to see everything and enjoy it.

It's always a good idea to check the weather before you go, while you will want to tour the inside of the building there are a lot of things that are on the grounds that you will want to see. It's a much nicer experience if you make sure that the weather is good for your walking around outside. One of the things that you will want to look out when you are on the grounds on the buliding is the Confederate Memorial Monument, which is located on the north side of Capitol Hill. This is a monument that is dedicated to more than 122,000 veterans of the Civil War. On the Capitol's south wing is the Avenue of Flags. This is semi circle of the U.S. Flags with a native stone and an engraving of the state's name in front of each flag.

The steps are the most famous thing to see on the ground of the capitol, these steps have served as historic points throughout history. One of the most noteable moment was The Selma to Montgomery March in 1965 that ended on these steps, as Martin Luther King Jr. gave a speech to the over 25,000 marchers. You can walk up these steps and take photos and admire the beauty, and historic events that took place there.

If you are interested in the inside of the building then make sure that you are aware that while the

entire building is not able to be toured, most of the building is. And while you do not actually need to take the tour to see the building I would recommend seeing the outside on your own, but the inside with a tour. The reason is that it's very hard to know exactly what things are and how they significant unless you have a guide to tell you these things.

Also I have noticed that certain days are much busier, if you can stay away from times in which public schools are in session and go over holiday breaks or summer it's less busy. Many schools will go on field trips to the Capitol Building and this can make it much busier and sometimes louder.

The Alabama State Capitol Building is located at
600 Dexter Avenue
Montgomery, AL 36104

The Tour Office Phone Number is (334) 242-3935

Monday-Friday:
Self guided tours can be taken 9 AM- 4PM
Guided Tours are given at 9AM, 11AM, 1PM, and 3PM (if you have a group of 15 or more, call in advance for a guided tour)
Closed on Sundays and all State Holidays

Civil Rights Memorial and Center - Montgomery Alabama

If you find yourself in Montgomery Alabama, you should know that there is a lot of history regarding Civil Rights here. Because of the importance of this time in Montgomery's history you will find landmarks and markers throughout the city pinpointing where certain events took place or what roles certain places played in this time in history. If you are interested in learning a little more about even making a pledge to stand up againist intolerance then you might want to head over to the Civil Rights Memorial and Memorial Center.

The Memorial itself was dedicated in 1989. It was inspired by the famous quote "we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream" which Martin Luther King said in his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. A round stone fountain in the shape of an upside down cone lets water flow over the base of the cone and over the forty names that the memorial holds. Visitors can touch the water and fountain (or at least they could when I visited). This will only disrupt the smooth flow of the water until the hand is removed. It is truly a beautiful memorial and good reminder of how important tolerance and equality really is. Also please note that this memorial is outside, so you need to make sure that you dress for the weather when going to see it, and make sure that any trash is picked up before you leave as a sign of respect.

After visiting the Civil Rights Memorial you can go see the Civil Rights Memorial Center, in fact the center is adjacent to the memorial. Inside the center is a theater in which vistors can learn about the history of the Civil Rights Movement. Also make sure that you stop to look at the Freedom Mural that is inside the center. Within the mural you will see photographs and quotes that had a lasting impact on the movement and many are images and quotes that we learn about to this day. It is a beautiful and powerful mural that you should not miss.

 If you are interested in pledging yourself to take a stand aganist injustice, and intolerance then make
sure that you sign your name on the Wall of Tolerance. The Wall of Tolerance holds over half a million names that have pledge to take a stand. The wall is 20 by 40 feet and names flow down all the time. If you are interested in taking this stand then you can take the pledge that so many others have already done.

"By placing my name on the Wall of Tolerance, I pledge to take a stand against hate, injustice and intolerance. I will work in my daily life for justice, equality and human rights - the ideals for which the Civil Rights martyrs died."

The names that are placed on this wall are never erased letting a new generation of people join with an older generation to take a stand and remember what is truly important. The Civil Rights Memorial and Memorial Center is really an eye opening experience and something that should not be missed if you happen to be in the Montgomery area.

The Memorial is in an open area that is open to the public 24 hours a days.

The Civil Rights Memorial Center is open:
Monday -Friday 9AM-4:30PM
Saturday 10AM-4PM
Children are admitted free, Adult Admission is $2

The address is
400 Washington Avenue
Montgomery Alabama

Alabama Department of Archives and History - Montgomery Alabama

This is really one of those places that people don't even think of when they are planning a trip to Montgomery, nor do they look at it as a reason to head to the area of Montgomery. This reason is that most people are unaware of exactly what you can do and see if you vist the Department of Archives and History. I first went when it was in elementary school, and I had no idea what it was going to be or if I would find it entertaining at all. I have to admit that I enjoyed it so much that a had to go back once I got older.

The first thing that you should know about this place that it has a museum, you would be surprised how many people don't know that there is a museum there, they think that it only houses records and documents. The museum is actually a very extensive collection of artifacts and collections that tell the history of Alabama. When you are visiting the museum make sure that you take note of the bronze map that is on the lawn. It is located on the north lawn or Washington Avenue. It's a map of the state of Alabama with events and landmarks marked on the map. There is a photo of the map and a key to this map is on the official website if you would like to see what is located on the map.

The building itself is a very nice building and when you go inside it might seem a little quiet and you might be inclined to be quiet yourself, this is more than likely a good idea. You don't have to be perfectly quiet but it is not a place that you should go running through yelling or laughing really loud. It is more than a museum and inside the building sound can travel well. The museum itself is actually a very nice museum with seperate rooms that are dedicated to different events and timeframes in Alabama's history. The museum won't take a very long time for you see all of but at least a couple hours should be allotted and perhaps more than that depending on how much time you want to take to see everything.

The other thing that you can do while you are visiting here is go to the research room. This room is designed for people to be able to look up information on Alabama. It can be information that is relating to your past or your town's past or information on a certain subject or event. For instance when I went to the research room I was able to get a printout of all the historic cemeteries and their names in Alabama. There are rules that you will need to make sure that you know when you are visiting the research room. There is no food or drink at all, and no bags this does include purses, laptop cases, and briefcases, and coats are not allowed either, and no ink pens should be brought in. You can bring in your cell phone but you must turn it on silent or off and step outside to take any calls. If you have any items that are not allowed in the research room lockers are available for rent. Laptops, binders, pencils, and folders are all allowed in the reserach room. Please note that if you want to take a break to have a snack or drink they do have another room available.

The Archives Building itself is open Monday-Friday 8:30-4:30
The Research Room is open Tuesday through Friday and the second Saturday of each month 8:30-4:30
The Museum is open Monday -Saturday 8:30-4:30
All of these are closed on State Holidays.
Please visit the official website for more information.