Throughout April, thirty-three cities in Alabama present Saturday walking tours highlighting each city’s unique history, and Fairhope has a fascinating history to explore, with tours planned for downtown (focusing on the history of the buildings and businesses), the beach parks (covering the Casino, the piers, the gullies and more), places significant to the Single-Tax history, and Colony Cemetery.

Fairhope History Museum Director Donnie Barrett will lead the entertaining and informative walks that will combine community history with some tidbits from his own experiences as a child in Fairhope. “For example, when we talk about the various businesses and buildings downtown, I can remember what most of them were when I was a child. I recall buying my very first 45rpm record—Chubby Checker’s The Twist—at Hunter’s Newstand. Personal recollections like that really help bring history alive and get people thinking and talking about their own recollections.”

This year’s tours include:

Fairhope Avenue - April 2 (meet at the Welcome Center)

Fairhope Beach Parks - April 9 (meet at the pier)

Section Street - April 16 (meet at Welcome Center)

Single-Tax Tour - April 23 (meet at Welcome Center)

Colony Cemetery - April (meet at the Oak Street gate)

All tours begin at 10am and are free and open to the public. The April 16 tour coincides with the Satsuma Festival at the museum, and participants will be invited to stay and enjoy that free event after the tour.