Welcome to the
First White House of the Confederacy

First White House of the Confederacy Annual Robert E. Lee Birthday Party See the pictures here. Held on Thursday, January 19, at 11:00 a.m. at the First White House Our guest speaker was Bob Bradley, Chief Curator of the State Dept of Archives and History.

The House is now OPEN ON SATURDAYS FROM 9-4 & weekdays from 8-4:30

See the highlights from our annual Jefferson Davis Birthday Party, held on Friday, June 3rd, with State Senator Dick Brewbaker.

We had a great time at the May 5th Sesquicentennial Fundraiser Reception benefitting the Relics in the First White House of the Confederacy, with Mr. William C. Davis as special guest speaker. See the pictures here.

We are also pleased to announce that the First White House will be open on Saturdays from 9:00 - 4:00. We are very excited about this and hope you will help us spread the word. We think it will be very timely with the commemoration of the Sesquicentennial Year of the War Between the States.

Sincerely,
Anne Tidmore

Becoming Alabama is a statewide partnership for the planning and promotion of commemorative activities to observe the anniversaries of three major periods in Alabama history: the bicentennial of the Creek War and War of 1812, which was pivotal in the formation of the state; the sesquicentennial of the Civil War, which began with decisions made in Montgomery by the fledgling Confederate government; and the ongoing fiftieth anniversaries of major events in the civil rights movement, which had its greatest struggles and achievements in the churches, streets, and parks of Alabama. The First White House is pleased to announce a number of activities marking the sesquicentennial of the Civil War as part of the Becoming Alabama activities.

The First White House of the Confederacy was the Executive Residence of President Jefferson Davis and family while the capitol of the Confederacy was in Montgomery, Alabama. The house served as the first White House of the Confederacy from February 1861 until late May 1861, when the Confederate capital moved to Richmond, Virginia. Completely furnished with original period pieces from the 1850s and 1860s, the 1835 Italianate style house is open to the public. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1974. It is located across from the south side of the Alabama State Capitol, next door to Archives and History Building.

Early postcard of the First White House

Many personal items of President and Mrs. Davis are in the house as well as authentic furnishings of the period. It is a Confederate house museum which tells three stories:

• What happened during the spring of 1861 when a government was formed from few resources except cotton and courage.
• The story of Jefferson Davis, a renowned American patriot long before The War, and his family.
• The story of the preservation of the House.

Three great reasons to book your field trip or visit us:

• Historical: The First White House served as the home of the only President of the Confederacy, Jefferson Davis, during the spring of 1861.
• Educational: Children love to visit the First White House.
• Proximity: Next to the Alabama Dept of Archives & History building, across the street from the Alabama State Capitol and the Alabama State House.

Donations for the Preservation and Maintenance of the First White House of the Confederacy are welcome and tax deductible!
Please mail checks to The First White House Association of Alabama, PO Box 1861, Montgomery, AL 36102-1861... more

Visit www.alabama.travel

Photo by A. D. Williams