Tallassee Falls Museum open to visitors

By Leigh Anne Butler

In the heart of downtown on the corner of Barnett Boulevard and Sistrunk Street, sits the Tallassee Falls Museum. The museum is dedicated to presenting all facets of the history of Tallassee. The museum has been in this location and open for about ten years, but recently received a renovation to its displays. 

“The museum has changed incredibly recently,” Linda Huey Williams, historian and curator of the Tallassee Falls Museum stated. “Bob Taunton, who is the president of the Talisi Historical Preservation Society, in his prior career did store displays. He had a vision that he brought to us several months ago about building booths for different subjects and it turned out rather well.” 

The Tallassee Falls Museum is operated by the Talisi Historical Preservation Society and runs through membership dues and donations. 

“Wylie Troupe allows us to use this building,” Williams added. “The museum could not run without volunteers.  We are open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10:00 until 2:00. We have a Facebook page, Tallassee Falls Museum, where you can message me and I will arrange to meet you here if it’s more convenient to come another time other than our normal hours.  Anytime you can get a group together we’ll be glad to open.”

Williams, like other museum volunteers, has a long family history in Tallassee. 

“My grandfather was Ed Huey and was a city councilman.  He was very involved in politics when Tallaweka was its own city. In the 70’s, he started getting involved in Tallassee politics because Tallaweka had been promised sewage which did not come to fruition. He ran for mayor hoping to get that done, and he did.

“Debra Hughey comes in a lot for us. She is our authority on local Native American history and culture. She can tell all about the history of the Native Americans in Tallassee.”

When asked about her favorite exhibits at the museum, Williams mentioned the Tallassee school display, Alabama Power and the Benjamin Fitzpatrick bridge. 

“Don Bryant and his group, the Tallassee High School Alumni Association, are coming up with a new exhibit which we are so excited about. I think it is going to be really, really good.”

Admission to the Tallassee Falls Museum is free, but donations are gladly accepted. If you have a piece of Tallassee history you would like to donate or loan to the museum you may contact Linda Williams via Facebook at Tallassee Falls Museum.