Bankhead House and Heritage Center
The Bankhead House and Heritage Center is a museum of Walker County history and cultural venue operated by the Walker Area Community Foundation in the 1924 William Bankhead residence at 800 7th Street in the North Highlands section of Jasper.
The house was conveyed to the Foundation by Gerald Ivey and restored inside and out. The center opened in June 2010.
The house routinely hosts several temporary exhibits in the dining room and gallery on the bottom floor. Past temporary exhibits include Dennis Campbell's taxidermy collection "Call of the Wild," a collection of artwork created by students in the Jasper City School System, and a tribute to Walker County citizens who have served in the United States Military. There are a few permanent exhibits on both floors of the building available to the public year-round. The collection of items owned by or relating to Tallulah Bankhead, who grew up in the house, remains a local favorite.
The Bankhead House and Heritage Center also exhibits photos entered in Walker 24/7: A Day in the Life of Walker County's seasonal photography contests.
Since its restoration, the house has become the center of Walker County culture, hosting many events such as Jazz in the Park, a live screening of the documentary The Bankheads, and several Christmas parties.
Admission to the Bankhead House and Heritage Center is free, and the museum is open Tuesday-Friday, from 10:00 am-4:00 pm, and on the third Saturday of each month from 10:00 am-2:00 pm.
References
- Whitley, Carla Jean (May 2010) "A Rich Heritage: Walker County's history and arts come alive at the Bankhead House and Heritage Center." Birmingham magazine. Vol. 50, No. 5, p. 44
- “About Us.” WACF.org, Walker Area Community Foundation, [1].
External links
- Walker Area Community Foundation website
- Bankhead House and Heritage Center Facebook page