The original 60 acres of the Bellingrath Gardens & Home were purchased by Walter Bellingrath in 1917 upon the advice of his physician. Dr. P. D. McGehee advised his patient to learn how to play and told him to buy the fishing camp he had been admiring. The camp consisted of three dilapidated houses and an overgrown jungle. Mr. Bellingrath reworked the cabins and began clearing the paths and was able to have his first house party here in December of 1918. The gardens were eventually opened to the...

Thrill to Rickwood's miracle mile of underground caverns. The 260 million-year-old limestone formations, blind cave fish and underground pools are just a few of the natural wonders exhibited in the colorful caverns. The park also features an Olympic size swimming pool, picnic area and campground.

Brook Hills Heart & Home Educators promotes unity and community among Brook Hills' home-based educators by providing encouragement, resources, and support.

Public libraries around the country are finding new ways to serve the growing population of homeschoolers through physical spaces and creative programs catered to homeschooling families’ needs. This article takes a look at what libraries in Illinois, Colorado, and Tennessee are doing to meet the diverse needs of homeschooling families. 

According to the Tennessee education code, homeschoolers have three ways to follow Tennessee homeschool laws. The most popular of these options with homeschool families is to enroll their child in a church-related umbrella school. These schools are operated by denominational, parochial or other church organizations and are required to meet specific standards of accreditation. Umbrella schools in Tennessee are free to choose their own operational procedures. Each school will vary on curriculum op...

An ivory anatomical model used by medical students in the 16th century. A surgical set from the 1850s. An early Emerson Respirator, a.k.a “iron lung,” used at UAB Hospital in the 1950s. These and a host of other displays at UAB’s Alabama Museum of the Health Sciences trace the evolution of health care through seven centuries of progress and innovation. See these items firsthand and experience the intriguing history of medicine - and the role Alabama’s health professionals have played in it - f...

Located 12 miles northwest of Tuscaloosa, the park is named for Alabama's only woman governor, Lurleen B. Wallace. This 1,625-acre park is a scenic lakeside retreat, set on the banks of a 250-acre lake. You may bring your boat or rent one of ours to pursue a fun-filled day at the lake.

Located seven miles southeast of Alexander City, this park spans 1,445 acres along the shores of Lake Martin, which is a 41,000 area clear water reservoir perfect for fishing, swimming and boating. Park facilities include the largest state operated campground in the United States with 640 sites, many of which are waterfront sites allowing campers to fish, swim and boat right out their back door. Other facilities include a marina, camp store, fishing pier, hiking trails, playground and picnic are...

Alabama’s multi-stage licensing process allows teens to gradually gain exposure to complex driving situations, easing them into driving over an extended period of time. The learner’s permit and restricted stages are key steps.

Your first step toward driving in Alabama is obtaining an AL learner license (or learner's permit). You must be at least 15 years old to apply, and you will need to pass a written knowledge test. Once you have passed your DMV written permit test, you will be issued your learner license, which is valid for 4 years. You may now practice driving when supervised by a licensed driver at least 21 years old in the front passenger seat at all times.

1401 Hillcrest Rd. Mobile, Alabama 36695 Phone: 251-776-1515 Crossroads Books & Gifts is the largest Christian bookstore in the Mobile area. Although not an exculsive homeschool bookstore, you'll find lots of good materials and books to assist you in home educating your children.

On April 18, 1882, Sloss Furnaces began producing iron and did not stop until ninety years later. Over the decades, Sloss Furnaces gave rise to the city of Birmingham and served as a battleground for economic, employment and social reform. Now recognized as a National Historic Landmark, Sloss Furnaces is open to the public as a museum of industry which speaks to the contributions of the working men who labored there. With its massive furnaces, web of pipes, and tall smokestacks, it offers us a g...

The Birmingham Museum of Art is the largest municipal museum in the Southeast and one of the premier regional art museums in the country. Collection includes more than 21,000 works spanning the history of art from 5000 B.C. to the present. Offers special exhibits and educational programs.

Baldwin County Heritage Museum takes a look at Baldwin County history from 1900 to 1950. Explore the importance of agriculture and ethnic diversity in its settlement. The museum features a large hall displaying farm machinery, vehicles, and tools and a smaller gallery for exhibits on everyday life in the county. Collections include documents, photographs, old buildings, farm machinery and vehicles, tools, utensils, household and mercantile furnishings, and clothing.

The new museum, completed in the spring of 2002, is now the largest art museum along the Gulf Coast from New Orleans to Tampa. It is located in Mobile's Langan Park, just two miles from Interstate 65. Offers a permanent collection of more than 6,000 works of art, with American art of the 1930s-40s, work by southern artists, art of the French Barbizon School, contemporary American crafts, late 19th century American art, and Asian, African and European works.

Events include monthly living history programs (the French period and the early American period), monthly meetings of the Historic Blacksmiths, French and Indian War Encampment (held annually in April and re-enacts the time period of the war between the French and the British), Alabama Frontier Days (held annually in November and depicts life on the frontier from 1717 to 1820).