ABOUT THE MUSEUM
Preserving Pell City’s Story
From an idea sparked by a Smithsonian traveling exhibition to a museum created for our community, the Museum of Pell City is dedicated to preserving and sharing the stories that shaped us.
Where It All Began — The Way We Worked, 2014
Jeremy Gossett, Carol Pappas, Pam Foote and Deanna Lawley were among those whose work on the Smithsonian traveling exhibition helped spark the vision for what would become the Museum of Pell City.
Our Story
In 2014, Pell City had an incredible opportunity to host a Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibit called The Way We Worked. This Museum on Main Street program from Alabama Humanities Alliance became more than opportunity to bring this national historic exhibit to our doorstep, it became the catalyst for creating the beginnings of a museum to tell Pell City and St. Clair County’s story.
Nearly 10 years later – after plenty of planning, fundraising, creating and building – Museum of Pell City found a home and opened its door.
Creating the Legacy …
In March 2023, the City of Pell City, believing in the need to preserve the city’s history, generously agreed to provide this 4,000 square foot suite in the Municipal Complex as the home for our museum.
Today, Museum of Pell City is not only a destination point for citizens and local students, it hosts visitors from around the region, state, nation and even the world.
Tours are led by a volunteer force of knowledgeable docents, and our living history recording studio and program provide opportunities to tell and preserve personal stories of days gone by.
A 17-foot model train display running through 1930s Pell City, a jet flight simulator and a replica of Logan Martin Dam are showcased in the museum. Art shows, special programs and exhibits draw visitors from near and far throughout the year.
Thousands of photographs, artifacts and interactive displays combine to tell our story – from its fledgling mill town beginning to today’s global marketplace.
That’s our story as only Museum of Pell City can tell it.
Our Mission
We tell the story of Pell City, Alabama, and its people by collecting, exhibiting, and maintaining materials of historical value and promoting a better understanding of Pell City history.
Our Team
Erica Grieve
Museum Coordinator
Oversees the museum’s day-to-day operations, programs, exhibits, community engagement and administration.
The museum’s only paid staff member.
Jeremy Gossett
Contract Curator
Works with the museum on the research, design and development of museum exhibits.
Monique Bowman
Volunteer Coordinator (Volunteer)
Coordinates and supports the museum’s volunteer team.
Board of Directors
Carol Pappas — President
President/CEO, Partners by Design, Inc.; Editor/Publisher, Discover St. Clair and LakeLife 24/7 Magazines
Deanna Lawley — 1st Vice President
Retired High School English Teacher
Pam Foote — 2nd Vice President
Retired Coordinator of Guidance and Counseling and Testing, Pell City School System
Danny Stewart — Secretary
Executive Director, Pell City Public Library
Zachary Gentile — Treasurer
CEO, Ford Meter Box
Rotunda Forman — At-Large Member
Retired Sales Executive, AT&T
Meg Clements — At-Large Member
Attorney, Trussell, Funderburg, Rea, Bell & Furgerson, P.C.
Built by Community
The Museum of Pell City exists because of the vision, generosity and hard work of our city, donors, volunteers, community partners and visitors.
History belongs to all of us—and preserving it takes all of us.
Come See the Stories for Yourself.
Admission is always free.