Jeffrey's Adventure to the Monster March Fall Fest

For Jeffrey's last adventure, he wanted to make an appearance at the Monster March Fall Fest at the Convention Center downtown.  The event was hosted by the City of Selma in partnership with the Selma Times-Journal and provided children ages 0-12 with a fun Halloween experience.  Jeffrey enjoyed watching all the little "monsters" run around collecting candy, playing games, and participating in the contests.

Jeffrey has had such a wonderful time visiting historic landmarks, museums, parks, and events throughout Selma over the past month.  This was just a glimpse of what happens in Selma; there is always something fun and exciting in this historic city.  We have historic places and social graces, but you will have to come experience it yourself!

Jeffrey's Adventure to Kenan's Mill

Jeffrey visited Kenan's Mill today and loved it!  Kenan's Mill was built in the mid 1800's and produced water-ground meal, grits, and corn for over 100 years.  Restoration is ongoing, and the mill is currently operating on special occasions by the Selma-Dallas County Historic Preservation Society.  One of those special occasions is the annual Kenan's Mill Festival held in the first weekend in November, which means that it is this weekend!  On November 2, you can experience rural life and traditions at Kenan's Mill with live music, stone-ground cornmeal, apple cider making, hay rides, and more.  Admission is just $5 per person 12 and over. Children under 12 get in FREE.  For more information, click here.

Jeffrey's Adventure to the Mabry-Jones House

Jeffrey visited the Mabry-Jones House today!  This Greek Revival dwelling was built in 1850 by Dr. Albert Gallatin Mabry, a prominent physician and member of the Alabama legislature.  It was the residence during and after the Civil War for Dr. Mabry's step-daughter, Gertrude Tartt Jones, and her husband, Captain Catesby ap Roger Jones, a Confederate naval hero.    

Jeffrey's Adventure to the Marina

Today, Jeffrey visited the Marina!  If you've never been out here, you are missing out!  It has become a major tourism magnet, bringing in fisherman and boaters from all over the Southeast and the country.  There is also a restaurant - The Sandbar - where you can enjoy your food by the river.  Jeffrey loved the food at The Sandbar and watching everyone on the river.

Visit The Sandbar on Facebook!

Jeffrey's Adventure to the Selma Walton Theater

Jeffrey went to the Selma Walton Theater tonight to watch "Gravity" in the historic theater.  This is Selma's only movie theater and is open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.  It also shows a different movie each week!  If you've never seen a movie in this theater, you should definitely go sometime!  Check out ticket prices, show times, and the movies each week on their website at www.selmawaltontheater.com.

Jeffrey's Adventure to Sturdivant Hall

One of Selma’s most popular museums is Sturdivant Hall, which has been called “The finest Greek revival Neo-Classic antebellum mansion in the southeast.”  If the high ceilings, elaborate moldings, and spiral stairway do not interest you, maybe you would fancy its ghostly legends.  It is rumored that previous owner, John Parkman, makes regular appearances.  Parkman was imprisoned in 1866 after being accused of shady cotton dealings in the Civil War.  His close friends staged a jailbreak and he was fatally wounded when he was spotted during the escape.  He vowed to never leave his home until his name was cleared and many believe he has kept his word.  Museum staff and visitors have witnessed objects moving on their own and footsteps creaking upstairs; some have even see Parkman’s two little girls looking out an upstairs window.  Many other strange happenings have occurred in this magnificent mansion, but you will want to see them for yourself.

Jeffrey's Adventure to Gerald's House

Jeffrey visited another ghost house today - Gerald's house.  Gerald is a very strong willed spirit that gets upset when things are changed in the house.  He wanders freely throughout the house and moves things around when they are not to his liking.  He seems to have several areas in the house where he does not want anything, such as a shelf in the kitchen that he has claimed.  Any item placed there is promptly moved, never broken, simply moved to another area.  Gerald is said to have communicated with the mother and children in this family.

Jeffrey's Adventure to the Selma Art Guild Gallery

Jeffrey visited the Selma Art Guild Gallery today and was very impressed with the work there.  The artists are incredibly talented and you should definitely check out their work!

Selma Art Guild Gallery

508 Selma Avenue

Selma, Alabama 36701

334-874-9017

Open Friday and Saturday 

Jeffrey's Adventure to the Library

Jeffrey visited the Selma and Dallas County Public Library today and even got a library card! The library hosts events throughout the year in addition to providing books and other reading materials to the public.  Check out their website to learn more about their events: http://www.selmalibrary.org/

Jeffrey's Adventure to the Bridgetender's House

Jeffrey visited the Bridgetender's House today!  This small cottage is located next to the historic St. James Hotel on the bluff of the Alabama River.  It is the site of Selma's first bridge across the Alabama River and is listed on the National Historic Register.  The turning operation of the toll bridge required a bridge tender to manually turn the capstan to open the span.  The bridge tender lived in this house with his family and was on duty 24 hours a day!  Tolls were collected until 1900 when the county bought the bridge and made it free to cross.  The bridge was then removed in 1940 when the Edmund Pettus Bridge was opened.  

Jeffrey's Adventure to the Slavery and Civil War Museum

Jeffrey visited the Slavery and Civil War Museum today! Both the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement shaped Selma into what it is today.  This museum offers an educationally balanced presentation of both sides of a very controversial time in the history of America.  Members of the museum staff are available for storytelling, workshops, and historical presentations.

The Slavery and Civil War Museum is located at:
1410 Water Avenue
Selma, Alabama 36703

Hours:
Tuesday - Friday, 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday, 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Closed Sunday and Monday

Jeffrey's Adventure to Weaver Castle

Jeffrey visited the Weaver Castle today.  The Weavers were one of the founding families of Selma and the house has had a number of paranormal encounters.  One of the owners said she kept hearing faint music somewhere in the house when she went to bed at night.  A few years later they began hearing voices.  Once when the family dog was barking in the kitchen, someone said, "Dog, shut up!"  Of course no one was in the room with them at the time.  A few years ago, a friend was installing a ceiling fan while the owner was out of the house.  While he was on the ladder, someone asked, "What are you doing?"  When the owner returned home she found her friend outside and refused to go inside the house again.  Another episode was when the newspaper carrier was delivering the paper in the early morning and noticed a light on in the attic.  When the carrier mentioned it to the owner, the owner said it was impossible because the attic is not wired for electricity!

Jeffrey's Adventure to Old Live Oak Cemetery

Did anyone see Jeffrey at Old Live Oak Cemetery tonight?? He was trying to keep to himself so he didn't disturb the tours, but he was close enough to touch a few times.  He loved watching everyone as they listened to the reenactors tell stories because each person had a different reaction.  Jeffrey did say that someone brushed up against him at some point during the tour though.  Was it you??

Jeffrey's Adventure to Old Cahawba

Jeffrey visited Old Cahawba tonight for the Cahawba Spirits Investigation - night one of the Haunted History Tours!  Before the tour started, Jeffrey made a friend that was going on the same tour and they were inseparable for the rest of the night.  They enjoyed listening to the ghost stories in the graveyard and conducting the spirits investigation with the Central Alabama Paranormal Investigators inside the old slave quarters.  Jeffrey was sad for the tour to end, but very thankful for a second night of Haunted History on Selma's Ghost Tour.  He can't wait to meet other people and learn about more ghosts in Selma.  Be sure to visit the blog tomorrow night to hear about Jeffrey's visit to Old Live Oak Cemetery!

Jeffrey's Adventure to the Baker-Brooks House

Jeffrey visited the Baker-Brooks House and could not stop talking about how he felt like someone was staring at him even though we didn't see anyone.  This house was built in 1858 and the grounds of this home were the scene of a skirmish during the Battle of Selma.  A wounded Union soldier crawled under the staircase and died following the battle.  They say the blood is still visible under those stairs today.  The current residents hear footsteps upstairs even though the second story burned many years ago and was never replaced.  Jeffrey is looking forward to visiting this house again on Saturday during the Haunted History Tours so he can hear more about the ghosts from the owners and possibly meet the wounded soldier!

Friday is the last day to purchase tickets for the Saturday tour, so be sure to call the Chamber of Commerce at 334-875-7241 before it's too late!

Jeffrey's Adventure to the Golf Course

In honor of the Mayor's Charity Golf Classic that happened today at the Valley Grande Golf Course, Jeffrey decided to play a round of golf himself.  He was so excited to watch people play golf today because he knew that it was for a great cause.  The money raised from the golf tournament is used to support special needs children in the Selma and Dallas County area.  If you played in the golf tournament and noticed that the ball didn't land where you thought it did... Jeffrey is responsible for that!

Jeffrey's Adventure to the Trotter House

Jeffrey visited the Trotter House today and got to hear Mr. Trotter tell about the paranormal happenings in his home!  He learned that there was a young man living in this home who got into a car accident and later died... 50 years to the day that the Trotter's moved in.  Doors open and close without explanation, objects move without anyone touching them, and other spooky phenomena have occurred in this home.  If you want more details from the homeowners themselves, be sure to purchase tickets for the 7th Annual Haunted History Tours this Saturday! The Trotter House is one of the Haunted Historic Homes that will be visited on this ghost tour.  Space is limited, so call the Chamber at 334-875-7241 to get your tickets!

Jeffrey's Adventure to Grace Hall

Jeffrey visited Grace Hall today, one of the stops on Selma's Ghost Tour this Saturday!  He learned that this antebellum structure is believed to be the home of "Miz Eliza," who has been a regular guest since 1982 when Grace Hall became a Bed and Breakfast.  Several other ghosts have been spotted here over the years and five spirits are believed to share the home with the owners and their guests.  Grace Hall no longer has temporary guests as a Bed and Breakfast, but now hosts its "permanent residents," the ghosts.  If you haven't purchased a ticket for the Ghost Tour this Saturday, you should call the Chamber of Commerce at 334-875-7241 before it's too late!  The tickets are almost completely sold out, so don't want to miss the chance to see the ghosts first hand!

P.S.  A black cat crossed Jeffrey's path at Grace Hall today... We hope Jeffrey's not superstitious!

Jeffrey's Adventure to the Edmund Pettus Bridge

I bet you haven't seen this view of the Edmund Pettus Bridge before!  It is actually very accessible with stairs and clear paths for visitors to enjoy the views.  Jeffrey loves coming down here because it is so peaceful, beautiful, and the view just gets better and better as you keep walking.  If you didn't already know, the Edmund Pettus Bridge became a National Historic Landmark earlier this year due to its significance as a site of a major turning point in the Civil Rights Movement.  Tourists come from all over the world to see the Edmund Pettus Bridge, but they have probably never seen it from this angle.

Jeffrey's Adventure to Historic Water Avenue

Jeffrey apologizes for not letting anyone take his picture this weekend.  He ran in the Integrity Worldwide 5K Run on Saturday morning and he was completely exhausted (he's not much of a runner).  We saw him at Riverfront Market Day, but he refused to let us take his picture because he was in so much pain.  Jeffrey has finally recovered, however, and said we would take a picture of him on Historic Water Avenue where Riverfront Market Day is held every year.  He truly loves going to Market Day because Water Avenue is filled with vendors in the street on the sidewalks!