About Huntsville AL
Huntsville is a city situated in the Appalachian area of the state of Alabama. Huntsville is also the county seat of the Madison County, and the principal city of the Huntsville Metropolitan region. The Huntsville Metropolis has the distinction of being the 2nd biggest of its kind in the state of Alabama, and has a population of more than 440,000. In the year 1805, American War of Independence veteran John Hunt moved into the area and settled around the Big Spring. In the same year, the treaty with the Chickasaws and Cherokee Amerindian tribes ceded their claims of the region to the United States government. The area was ultimately bought by Leroy Pope who called the region Twickenham in honor of the home village of his distant kin Alexander Pope.
Twickenham was meticulously planned, and its streets were laid out on the northwestern and southwestern direction in accordance to the flow of the Big Spring. Still, because of anti British sentiments of the settlers, the name of the town was altered to Huntsville in honor of John Hunt. In the year 1811, the city of Huntsville became incorporated, and had the distinction of been the very first incorporated town in the state of Alabama.
Huntsville experienced tremendous growth thanks to the wealth created by the cotton and railroad industries. At the same time, numerous affluent planters moved into the region from the states of Virginia, Georgia and North and South Carolina. The city of Huntsville was later on chosen to be the very 1st capital for the state of Alabama, before it was moved to more centrally located sites. The Memphis and Charleston Railroad was built, and passed through Huntsville, and went on to become the very first railway to connect the Atlantic Coast with the lower Mississippi River.
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The city of Huntsville boasts of a grand total of 3 historic districts. The first is known as the Twickenham Historic District, which is home to buildings that adhere to the Federal and Greek Revival architectural designs. The Twickenham Historic District also boasts of the densest concentration of Antebellum houses in the state of Alabama. There is as well the Old T own Historic District , which features a wide range of architectural styles including Federal, Greek Revival, Queen Anne and Californian cottages that date back to the 1820s. Lastly, there is the Five Points Historic District, which comprises mostly of bungalows that were constructed in the early 20th century when Huntsville gained the reputation of a mill city.
The city of Huntsville is also home to numerous regional and nationally renowned museums. One of the most prominent of which is the United States Space & Rocket Center, which boasts of the United States Space Camp, Aviation Challenge programs and the sole Saturn V rocket in existence. The last of which is now designated as a National Historic Landmark. The city of Huntsville is as well home to the Alabama Constitution Village that comes complete with 8 rebuilt Federal style buildings along with living museum displays. There is also the Burritt on the Mountain, which is a history museum and a regional events venue. The Burritt on the Mountain also features a 1950s mansion, an interpretive historic park, nature trails and panoramic outlooks. There is as well the Early Works Museum that is essentially a children’s museum located in the downtown area.
The city of Huntsville also boasts of the historic Huntsville Depot, which was constructed in 1860, and has the distinction of being the oldest surviving railway depot in the state of Alabama and one of the oldest of its kind in the country. There is as well the Huntsville Museum of Art that showcases permanent exhibits and traveling exhibits. The Huntsville Museum of Art has also put in place a number of educational programs for both kids and grownups. Huntsville is as well home to the North Alabama Railroad Museum, which comes complete with more than 30 pieces of rolling stock. There is also the Veterans Memorial Museum that showcases over 30 historic military vehicles dating back to the 1st Great War. The Veterans Memorial Museum also houses numerous artifacts, memorabilia and small firearms that date back to the American War of Independence.
On the other hand, the city of Huntsville boasts of a grand total of 57 parks. One of the most notable of which is the Big Spring International Park, which is located in the downtown area. The Big Spring International Park is home to the Huntsville Museum of Art, and also hosts a number of the city’s most popular festivals and events. Some of the most prominent of which include the Panoply Arts Festival and the Big Spring Jam. There is also the John Hunt Park that has the distinction of been the biggest park in Huntsville and features more than 400 acres of open spaces, tennis courts, soccer fields and several walking trails. The city of Huntsville also has a very vibrant performing arts scene.
To which end, it is home to the Twickenham Fest that is the state of Alabama’s premier summer chamber music festival. The Twickenham Fest brings many international music acts to the city and lasts for more than a week. There is as well the Broadway Theater League, which was established in 1959, and now presents a season of nationally touring Broadway shows over the course of the year. The city of Huntsville is also home to the Flying Monkeys Arts Center that hosts popular events including the Cigar Box Guitar Festival, the Sex Workers’ Art Show and several concerts. There is also the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra that has the distinction of being the oldest professional symphony orchestra in the state of Alabama.
United States Space & Rocket Center
The United States Space & Rocket Center is a must-see attraction in the city of Huntsville. As such, it boasts of one of the biggest space collections in the planet. This includes missiles, rockets along with other space memorabilia. The United States Space & Rocket Center also comes complete with an IMAX Space Dome Theatre that screens space related films.
Burritt on the Mountain
The Burritt on the Mountain is yet another leading destination in Huntsville. One of its most popular attractions is the Burritt Mansion where visitors can wander around and observe the galleries and personal artifacts of Dr. Burritt. While also discovering more on the history of the people of the area. There is also the Historic Park, which showcases life in the `19th century at its finest. Visitors can get to find out more on the facets of everyday farm life, period specific clothing and plenty more. Burritt on the Mountain also hosts special exhibits and concerts from time to time.
Huntsville Museum of Art
The Huntsville Museum of Art houses an impressive collection of 19th century and 20th century works of art. These artworks originate from diverse regions of the world including Africa, Asia and Europe. Still, the key attractions of the Huntsville Museum of Art are the works of art from America’s southwestern region. Some of the most prominent artists featured in this collection includes Andy Warhol, Frank Stella, John Sloan to mention just but a few.
Weeden House Museum and Gardens
Prior to been converted into a museum, the Weeden House was the residence of Dr. William Weeden. It was also the home of former US Supreme Court judge John Mckinley. While Federal officers inhabited it for a time during the United States Civil War. Visitors to the Weeden House Museum and Garden can get to learn about everyday life during the 19th century, and more particularly the life of Maria Weeden and her loved ones. Visitors can even take a walk through the tastefully manicured garden. Tours of the Weeden House Museum and Garden are offered on a regular basis. While children can participate in a number of age appropriate activities.