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Tuscaloosa Area Virtual Museum

The Early Years

The early history of the Tuscaloosa Public Library from its founding in 1921 until its move in 1958 to the Jemison - Van de Graaff Mansion.

For more information click on the images below.

History of the Tuscaloosa Public Library through 1945

History of the library from its founding through 1945 written by Thomas Clinton.

Tuscaloosa County Courthouse, circa 1910

The basement of the County Courthouse was the first home of the Tuscaloosa Public Library at its inception in 1921.

Library Dream Comes True for Mrs. Lucy Pou, 1931

Article in the Tuscaloosa News, March 10, 1931, describing the early history of the library

George Searcy House, 815 Greensboro Avenue, circa 1930

The library when it was housed at the George Searcy House

Library Week Report Made at Board Meeting, 1935

Library report from the April 2, 1935, issue of the Tuscaloosa News

County Library Report Issued for 1943

County Library report from the February 21, 1944, issue of the Tuscaloosa News.

The Early Years