Pettus Randall Miniature Museum of American History

“475 years of instant history!” That’s how Pettus Randall advertised his miniature museum in 1964. I almost missed this little gem during a quick visit to American Village in Montevallo, Alabama. I was in the area and stopped in the village just an hour before closing time. I almost left without going in the small building labeled “Randall Museum” on the map. Luckily, I decided to duck in for a quick peek – it ended up being not so quick after all. For lovers of dioramas (or miniatures or dolls…), this little museum is awesome! The 35 dioramas have labels such as: Declaration of Independence, Carver’s Contribution to Agriculture, Automobiles for the Masses, Women's Struggle for the Vote, and Remembering Iwo Jima.

The Confederacy Surrenders

Lincoln Assassination

Overcoming 'Separate but Equal'

The 'New Frontier'

After winding your way through the beautiful wood display cases housing the dioramas, you round a corner and come upon the magnificent “Hail to the Chief” – an Inaugural Ballroom scene. Originally, it contained every President and First Lady from Washington to Lyndon Johnson. It has since been updated to include those up through the Obamas.

"Hail to the Chief" - An Inaugural Ball scene

Pettus Randall, Jr., an Alabama businessman (founder of Randall Publishing), wanted to bring American History to the people of small towns who could not afford to travel to the museums of Washington D.C. He hired sculptors and artists from 14 states, along with a woodworker and dress designer/seamstress. He spent over $1.5 million (in today’s dollars) and 3 years assembling the traveling museum into two trailers. The museum visited 25 states, drawing thousands of visitors, but after touring for just a few years it could not pay for itself. Randall lost a lot of money and considered it the biggest failure of his life. The miniatures were placed in storage and remained there for nearly 40 years, until his son decided to find a way to revive his father’s dream.

The Pettus Randall Miniature Museum of American History

Both the collection and the museum building were donated to the Village by Pettus Randall III, representing the Randall Publishing Company in Tuscaloosa, as a tribute to his father. The original seamstress from 40 years ago volunteered to restore the figures’ clothing. Originally, Randall had hired her during a slow time for her children’s clothing company so she was able to keep her workers busy. He sent her to Washington D.C. to research the inaugural ball gowns and to New York to buy fabric. Once again, a lot of work needed to be done and another team of artists was brought together to restore the dolls which had deteriorated in storage (they are made with porcelain heads, hands, and feet attached to bodies made of wire, sponge rubber, and masking tape). They needed cleaning and repainting and some needed clothing and body parts replaced. The modern Presidents and First Ladies also had to be created. A stage representing the East Room of the Whitehouse was built to house the Inaugural Ball scene. They did a great job! 

The museum can only be accessed through the American Village and is included in the price of admission.