Welcome
Welcome to Autauga County Heritage Association
Let's make our community a better place!
About Us
ACHA selected as the Honoree of the James Ray Kuykendall Award for 2020-2021 by the Alabama Historical Association!
The award is based on an Association's historical work & accomplishments in the last 10 years. Named for the late James Ray Kuykendall, AHA past president and founding president of Landmarks of Dekalb County, this award honors a local historical society in
Alabama for outstanding achievements and for significant contributions to a greater appreciation of community and state history. ACHA is honored to receive this recognition for its efforts to protect, preserve and share Autauga County history.
Restroom at Buena Vista built by Contentment Homes, LLC
ACHA was just notified that we were awarded a $7500 grant from the Alabama Humanities Alliance!
The Alabama Humanities Alliance has awarded $800,000 in one-time funding to 83 humanities-based nonprofits from 125 applicants across the state. These grants supply much-needed support to many of Alabama’s most cherished cultural landmarks and community resources as they continue to recover from the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Alabama Humanities Recovery Grants are funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities through the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. ACHA is most grateful for the grant we received. It will help us keep the lights on! Grantee may expend funds for general operating expenses only, including expenses such as salaries, rent, property maintenance, utilities, supplies, and equipment during the period March 15, 2021 – November 30, 2022.
Site Content
OUR FACILITIES
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
Need to have wedding or event? Looking to find more information about Prattville or Autauga County?
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
Look inside to see our upcoming events. We love to share our fun with all of the social media sites.
PHOTO GALLERY
UPCOMING EVENTS
BECOME A MEMBER
Look inside to see our beautiful city and walk through time with historic photos of Autauga County.
BECOME A MEMBER
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
BECOME A MEMBER
Members are the foundation of the ACHA's community of support. Download a New Member Form and join us in preserving our rich history! Click on image to download form or JOIN NOW online.
- 100% tax-deductible
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Volunteers help by setting up museum displays, conducting tours, performing research and maintaining grounds and property. We also have a number of exciting projects in the works, and we need your help.
ACHA ONLINE STORE
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Purchase Event Tickets, Low Country Boil Tickets, Books, DVD's, Prints and More!
ONLINE ARCHIVAL LIBRARY
KEEPING OUR STORIES ALIVE!
ONLINE ARCHIVAL LIBRARY
Can't join us at the Prattaugan Museum? No Problem!
Research our Archives Room from Home!
Click the link below to access our Integrated Library System.
DOWNLOADS
KEEPING OUR STORIES ALIVE!
ONLINE ARCHIVAL LIBRARY
DOCUMENT DOWNLOADS
KEEPING OUR STORIES ALIVE!
KEEPING OUR STORIES ALIVE!
KEEPING OUR STORIES ALIVE!
The past is a beautiful thing. Every time you step into the Prattaugan Museum, you can all but taste the history beneath your feet. It can be difficult to connect at times. It can be hard to look at strange people who walked many years before we did and think, "I need to learn all about them."
But then we go and talk to Grandma. Or Mama. Or Grandpa. Or Daddy. Or Uncle, Aunt, Cousin, Sister, Brother. The family stories spill from their mouths, and all of sudden history matters.
We need to keep those stories.
On that note, the Prattaugan Museum is launching the "Keeping Our Stories Alive" project. If you have a family story, something you have been told your whole life, or if you have seen something, or you remember something vividly, we invite you to submit a summary of this story!
Prattaugan Museum
PRATTAUGAN MUSEUM
Welcome to the 1848 Greek Revival style home known as the McWilliams-Smith-Rice House. It is classified as a one and a half story home. In 1995, Charles Rice and Mary Wood Rice Waite donated the home to the city of Prattville for a museum, operated by the Autauga County Heritage Association. The Prattaugan Museum is filled with a varied collection of artifacts and objects pertaining to Autauga County; a county that is one year older than the state of Alabama. You will also find an extensive archives in our museum where visitors are welcome to research family histories and other historic documents. Our hours are Tuesday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. and Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
WWII DISPLAY
This display includes a large WWII plaque with the names of gin shop workers who went to war, actual fragment bombs that were produced at Continental Gin Company in Prattville, along with information on the women who built them. The WWII display is highlighted by the "E for Excellence" award given to Continental Gin Company, by the Bureau of Ordinance, for their excellence in production. There are several photographs, war ration cards, telegrams, and newspaper articles.
Visit us often to find out the latest happenings within the Autauga County Heritage Association and new exhibits in the Prattaugan Museum. We receive new items throughout the year and are always working to get them on display. If you are interested in assisting our museum staff and volunteers, come join us.
Our Integrated Library Software, purchased through our grant rom the Mid-South RC&D council is up and running! It is a tremendous asset at the Museum for research, and because it is hosted online, you can even access it at home! Check it out at Http://autaugahistory.booksys.net/opac/achc/
The cataloging project is ongoing, so new things are being added every week! We hope to have all materials in our archive room cataloged by the end of the summer. Stay tuned!
BUENA VISTA
BUENA VISTA is OPEN!
Premier Event Venue in the River Region!
A beautiful antebellum house built circa 1840's. Once called "The Montgomery Place," the mansion is now known as Buena Vista. This outstanding example of Greek Revival architectural style is typical of the homes Daniel Pratt constructed in Georgia prior to his moving to Autauga County in 1833. The beautiful circular cantilevered stairway, the double doors with fan lights, the second story balcony and the elaborately carved cornices and ceiling medallions are all found in Pratt-designed homes. The name "Buena Vista" was given to the home by Fred and Katherine Whittaker who purchased the home in 1937 on finding it used as a hay barn. Over a period of years, they lovingly restored the home to its former grandeur. In 1982, Union Camp Corporation purchased the home and partnered with the Autauga County Heritage Association (ACHA). In 2006, International Paper, the next owner, gifted the historic home to the ACHA. Since that time, many elegant weddings, receptions and dinner parties have shared the southern ambiance of days gone by with their guest.
Available for tours Thursday 10 - 2, or by appointment.
Available by appointment for Weddings, Receptions, Dinners, Luncheons, Parties, Bridal and Baby Showers, Anniversaries, Corporate Events, Business Seminars and Luncheons. Perfect setting for Prom, Cotillion and Graduation Photo Shoots.
For information on renting the Mansion:
Yvonne Files Buenavista@autaugahistory.org
(334) 365-3690 or 334-361-0961
641 CO RD 4 E
Prattville, Alabama 36066