Surroundings, Birmingham

Gadsden was an important shipping center, second only to Mobile, and in recent years was very reliant on industry. After problems in the 1970s and 1980s, Gadsden began looking to improve the city with downtown redevelopment and the addition of the Cultural Arts Center.

Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum, in Calera, features standard and narrow gauge trains that are still in operation, two restored depots, an indoor collection of railroad artifacts and memorabilia. Outside visitors can view the collection of railroad cars, locomotives, and cabooses.The Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum works to restore and preserve railway equipment to offer educational opportunities and highlight the history of the railroad in Alabama.

The Karl C. Harrison Museum of George Washington in Columbiana was started by a sixth generation granddaughter of Martha Washington. The collection focuses on art and artifacts from the colonial period through 1865. Items on display belonged to the first family and their descendants including paintings, writing instruments and tools from George Washington' s survey case, letters, furniture, porcelain, Martha's prayer book, glassware, silver, and jewelry.

American Village near Montevallo presents reenactments of the Colonial period, especially times and events that shaped American history. Stroll through Constitution Green, the Southern Living Colonial Gardens and Liberty Bell Garden commemorating more than 250 years of Freedom.Patrick Henry, Betsy Ross and Benjamin Franklin come alive as costumed interpreters of these historical figures interact with visitors!

Tannehill Ironworks operated from 1829 to 1865 turning out 22 tons of iron per day. A major Confederate munitions supplier during the Civil War, it was destroyed by Union forces in 1865. The Iron and Steel Museum houses artifacts from the industry including heay industrial equipment and a cotton gin house. Visitors can enjoy hiking, camping and recreation activities on the 1,500 acres of preserved land.

Rickwood Caverns State Park is the site of underground caverns with 260 million-year-old limestone formations, blind cave fish and underground pools. The park also features an Olympic size swimming pool, picnic area and campground.Rickwood Cave was carved from an ocean bed, the evidence is found in the shell fragments and fossils of marine life, which are clearly visible along the ceiling and walls.

Bessemer is located in north central Alabama with a rich history including a display of pioneer homes that date from the early 1887 as well as the Bessemer Hall of History.

Oak Mountain State Park, with almost 10,000 acres of mountains, lakes, and forests is suited to hiking, biking, and fishing, golfing, horse-back riding, and other day use facilities.