First White House of the Confederacy

When asked about where thefirst white house of the confederacyis located, most Americans will point to Richmond, Virginia, neglecting to note that before the Confederacy capital was moved there in May of 1861, it was situated in Montgomery, Alabama. This piece of history is something that locals hold dear to and wouldn’t likely mix up as most do. They take pride in the fact that it is in the town of Montgomery where you can find the first white house of the confederacy.

The Italianate-styled residence served as the executive housing of the first and only President of the Confederate States of America, Jefferson Davis during the time of the American Civil War. It became the site for many parties and lavish gatherings that Mrs. Davis loved to host. The family stayed here from February 1861 to May of the same year, when the confederate capital was moved to Richmond, Virginia for tactical purposes. Though short lived, the house on 644 Washington Avenue is still kept and valued by people in the area for its role in the nation’s early history landing it a spot on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994.

The house has since then been moved 10 blocks away from its original location and has been turned into a museum preserving the memory of the Davis family and of the Civil War itself. The house has been renovated and is kept fully furnished with period furniture from the 1850s to 1860s. Memorabilia and different artifacts fill the place providing a rich experience for visitors and for students wanting to know more about their history. Visiting hours are from 8 am to 4:30 pm every Monday to Friday. The place is closed during weekends and holidays.

First White House of the Confederacy