Visit the Conde-Charlotte House Museum

Travel back in time to 18th century Mobile, Alabama with a visit to the Conde–Charlotte House historic house museum. There's an awful lot of history in Mobile, AL. Forts, gardens, parks, monuments and, historic houses tell the tale of the city and region. Of them all, the Conde-Charlotte House Museum is billed as "the gateway to Mobile's history," and with good reason. The building, constructed in 1822 between the southern bastions of Fort Conde, was Mobile's first courthouse and city jail. The building, still sometimes referred to as The Kirkbride House, was purchased in 1849 by Jonathan Kirkbride. Kirkbride added what is now known as the main house, converting the courthouse and jail section into a kitchen. Evidence of the old jail cells, with their two-foot thick brick floor, can still be seen in the kitchen wing. The Historic Mobile Preservation Society purchased the site in 1940 for restoration. Their hard work provided the historic house museum we see today, highlighting Mobile’s history under five flags: French, English, Spanish, Confederate and American.

Docents at the museum offer one to two hour guided tours of both floors of the house museum. The first level features four rooms, displaying a distinct era of Mobile History. The British Commandant’s room reflects Mobile from the early 1760s through the early 1780s, when it was under British rule. The American Federal dining room represents the Mobile of the early 1800s. Two Confederate-style parlors present Mobile as it was during the antebellum period. On the second floor you'll see a French sitting room and bedroom from the early 1700s. Two American-style bedrooms take us back to the mid-1800s, when the Kirkbride family made the Conde-Charlotte House their home. Each room of the historic house museum contains carefully researched, period antiques. A walled Spanish garden offers a glimpse into 18th century-style home cultivation techniques.

104 Theatre Street, Mobile, AL Hours: Tuesdays through Saturdays, 11am to 3:30pm. Visit condecharlotte.com for more information. You can also visit the Conde-Charlotte House Museum on Facebook.

Mobile, AL is rich in fascinating attractions - both modern and historic. Malaga Inn's 39 private rooms and suites, are conveniently located in Historic Downtown Mobile, putting both comfort and the best of Mobile at your fingertips. Book your stay at Malaga Inn today!