Title
Gorgas House, circa 1853
Subject
Historic house museums
University of Alabama
Gorgas, Josiah, 1818-1883
Description
Built in 1829, two years before the University of Alabama opened, the Gorgas House was the first structure on campus and one of the few to survive the Civil War. It was used as a guest house for visiting dignitaries and professors, as well as a dining hall for students. In 1840, it was remodeled as a faculty residence. It has also been used as a university post office and supply store.
Josiah Gorgas, who became the seventh president of the University of Alabama in 1878, lived there with his family. When he resigned because of ill health, the board of trustees gave him the house and he retired to it. Members of the family lived in the house until 1953.
In 1944, the state legislature designated the house as a memorial to the Gorgas family. The residence is now a museum with collections of antiques and Gorgas family memorabilia.
Josiah Gorgas, who became the seventh president of the University of Alabama in 1878, lived there with his family. When he resigned because of ill health, the board of trustees gave him the house and he retired to it. Members of the family lived in the house until 1953.
In 1944, the state legislature designated the house as a memorial to the Gorgas family. The residence is now a museum with collections of antiques and Gorgas family memorabilia.
Source
Tuscaloosa News Archive
Date
circa 1853
Contributor
Jennifer Spraggins (Description)
Elizabeth Bradt (Description)
Type
Photograph
Identifier
140
Coverage
Tuscaloosa (AL)
Original Format
Photograph
Physical Dimensions
7 inches by 5 inches