Welcome to the Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion, a stunning piece of history located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. This Italianate mansion, designed by architect Samuel Sloan, was built for Robert Jemison, Jr., a prominent local planter, politician, and businessman. Construction began in 1859, and despite the challenges of the American Civil War, it was largely completed by 1862.
Robert Jemison, Jr. played a crucial role in the local history of Tuscaloosa. He was instrumental in convincing the Alabama Legislature to locate the Alabama State Hospital for the Insane in Tuscaloosa, an effort that coincided with the construction of his mansion. This connection highlights his influence and vision for the city’s development.
The mansion itself was a marvel of its time, featuring some of the earliest modern plumbing in the state, with running water, flush toilets, and a copper bathtub. It even had a coal gas plant for gas lighting and a kitchen stove. These advancements made it a beacon of modernity in a tumultuous period.
Robert Jemison, Jr. passed away in this house in 1871, and it remained in his family until the mid-20th century. One of his descendants, Robert Jemison Van de Graaff, was born here in 1901. Van de Graaff became a notable physicist, best known for inventing the Van de Graaff generator, a significant contribution to the field of physics.
The mansion’s role evolved over time, serving as the Friedman Public Library from 1955 to 1979, and later housing national publication offices. In 1991, the Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion Foundation acquired it, restoring it to its former glory. Today, it operates as a historic house museum and event location, preserving the rich history and stories that echo through its halls.
Visitors to the mansion can explore its 26 rooms, each whispering tales of the past, from the political gatherings orchestrated by Jemison to the daily lives of those who called it home. It’s not just a house; it’s a window into the past, where the layers of history are tangible and real.
