Who We Are
The Historic Huntsville Foundation helps preserve the architectural and historic resources of Huntsville and Madison County and promotes the revitalization of our historic downtowns.
What We Do
We promote the preservation of Huntsville-Madison County’s historic buildings, sites, homes, and neighborhoods through education, advocacy, and public engagement. Since 1984, we’ve proudly owned and operated Harrison Brothers Hardware as part of our preservation mission. Harrison Brothers is also home to the Historic Huntsville Museum, listed by the National Park Service to the Reconstruction Era National Historic Network. The Museum highlights multiple aspects of Huntsville history, with special emphasis on the stories of freed men and women.
How We Do It
National Register Listing
We work directly with city, county and state officials, private individuals and neighborhood groups to list neighborhoods and historic sites to the National Register of Historic Places.
National Register designation identifies properties as historically important, and builds community pride, and is a catalyst for investment and brings economic development.
We also work with state officials to identify properties that may be eligible for National Register listing. Properties listed to the National Register or that qualify for listing to the National Register may be eligible for tax credit programs and property tax deductions.
Educate
The Historic Huntsville Museum, history exhibitions, presentations, and historic marker programs are part of our educational mission to bring attention to Huntsville-Madison County’s historic places from the perspectives of those who lived and worked in our community. Our programs are always FREE and open to all with an interest.
Promote Downtown Revitalization
Our investment in Huntsville’s downtown revitalization effort began in 1984 when we purchased Harrison Brothers Hardware, a family business established on the courthouse square by brothers James and Daniel Harrison in 1897. Harrison Brothers Hardware stayed in family hands, passed down from generation to generation, until 1983 when the illness of John Harrison forced the store to close. Threatened with the loss of this Huntsville tradition, Historic Huntsville Foundation purchased the Harrison Brothers building and business, with a commitment to retain the character of the historic building and the traditions of the Harrison brothers.
We increased our investment in downtown Huntsville the following decade with our purchase of the adjoining Hundley Building. We restored the building’s exterior façade and renovated its interior. Today, the renamed Harvie Jones Building is home to an architectural firm and bustling restaurant.
The preserved Harrison Brothers Hardware Building and the restored Harvie Jones building illustrate our preservation mission at work. These buildings, and the successful business that operate in them, draw people to our courthouse square and support the economic viability of downtown Huntsville.
Why We Do It
After the loss of numerous Huntsville and Madison County historic homes and buildings in the 1960s, a group of community volunteers formed the Historic Huntsville Foundation to foster a desire to restore and renovate historic structures. We are the only nonprofit historic preservation organization whose mission includes Huntsville and Madison County.
