Located next to the Mildred B. Harrison Regional Library
50 Lester Street Columbiana, Alabama 35051
205-669-8767

Museum Hours
We are open Monday through Friday 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

Admission
Admission is free and available to the general public.

Information Line
Our telephone number is (205)669-8767. 

Tours and Group Information
Guided Tours of the museum's exhibitions and the building are available for general visitors and students.  Tours for 5 or more are available by  appointment, preferably 1 week in advance.  Please call us at (205)669-8787 for 
information.

Take this unexpected journey back into America's past.

The Karl C. Harrison Museum of George Washington collection focuses on art and artifacts from the colonial period through 1865.  The collection contains paintings, letters, furniture, porcelain, glassware, silver, jewelry, busts and more.  Martha Washington’s prayer book printed in New York in 1783, an original 1787 Samuel Vaughn sketch of Mt. Vernon grounds, writing instruments and tools from George Washington’ s survey case and an original tintype depicting Robert E. Lee in his uniform for the last time are just a few collection highlights.

The beauty and craftsmanship of 18th and19th century furniture is evidenced by a number of carefully preserved pieces from the estates of the Washington family and their descendants. Coin-silver utensils used at Mount Vernon, a 207-piece set of Minton porcelain and an exquisite pair of Sevres vases, circa 1785, from the Augustin Washington estate, the half-brother of George, highlight the display. One highly-regarded piece is a walnut games table with tulip and rosewood inlay (circa 1805). The beautiful table belonged to Bushrod Washington, a direct descendant, who inherited Mount Vernon upon Martha's death.

Surprises Await in every corner.

The oldest item in the Museum is the handwritten will of Colonel Daniel Parke dated 1710. His grandson Daniel Parke Custis married Martha Dandridge. After his death she married George Washington. Other 18th century treasures abound-from Martha's prayer book to the original sketch of the landscaping planned for Mount Vernon in 1787.

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Tracings of letters from George to Martha discussed the trepidation he felt at being appointed Commander in Chief of the Continental Army in 1775. Another letter, addressed to President James Madison in 1792,expressed George's desire to retire from public service. Numerous other documents bring these historical figures to life.

Click here for larger image

The beauty and craftsmanship of 18th and19th century furniture is evidenced by a number of carefully preserved pieces from the estates of the Washington family and their descendants. Coin-silver utensils used at Mount Vernon, a 207-piece set of Minton porcelain and an exquisite pair of Sevres vases, circa 1785, from the Augustin Washington estate, the half-brother of George, highlight the display. One highly-regarded piece is a walnut games table with tulip and rosewood inlay (circa 1805). The beautiful table belonged to Bushrod Washington, a direct descendant, who inherited Mount Vernon upon Martha's death.

For more pictures of the collection, visit the Virtual Tour.