The Buena Vista is now open to the public!
Welcome
Welcome to Autauga County Heritage Association
Let's make our community a better place!
About Us
ACHA awarded a $7500 grant from the Alabama Humanities Foundation.
We were one of 79 nonprofits out of a total of 103 requests to receive an award. Due to the Covid-19 shutdown, ACHA had to cancel its largest annual fundraiser, losing financial support for all of our preservation endeavors including the Prattaugan Museum and the Daniel Pratt/ Continental Gin Com ACHA pany Preservation Project, and Buena Vista. In addition, many events at beautiful Buena Vista were canceled or postponed resulting in loss of income for the upkeep and maintenance of this historic treasure. Thankfully, the Alabama Humanities Foundation received funding from the CARES act to assist non-profits to get through these difficult times. ACHA is most grateful for the grant we received. It will literally help us keep the lights on!
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OUR FACILITIES
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
Need to have wedding or event? Looking to find more information about Prattville or Autauga County?
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
Look inside to see our upcoming events. We love to share our fun with all of the social media sites.
PHOTO GALLERY
UPCOMING EVENTS
BECOME A MEMBER
Look inside to see our beautiful city and walk through time with historic photos of Autauga County.
BECOME A MEMBER
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
BECOME A MEMBER
Members are the foundation of the ACHA's community of support. Download a New Member Form and join us in preserving our rich history! Click on image to download form or JOIN NOW online.
- 100% tax-deductible
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Volunteers help by setting up museum displays, conducting tours, performing research and maintaining grounds and property. We also have a number of exciting projects in the works, and we need your help.
ACHA ONLINE STORE
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Purchase Event Tickets, Books, DVD's, Prints and More!
Prattaugan Museum
PRATTAUGAN MUSEUM
Welcome to the 1848 Greek Revival style home known as the McWilliams-Smith-Rice House. It is classified as a one and a half story home. In 1995, Charles Rice and Mary Wood Rice Waite donated the home to the city of Prattville for a museum, operated by the Autauga County Heritage Association. The Prattaugan Museum is filled with a varied collection of artifacts and objects pertaining to Autauga County; a county that is one year older than the state of Alabama. You will also find an extensive archives in our museum where visitors are welcome to research family histories and other historic documents. Our hours are Tuesday - Friday 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. and Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
WWII DISPLAY
This display includes a large WWII plaque with the names of gin shop workers who went to war, actual fragment bombs that were produced at Continental Gin Company in Prattville, along with information on the women who built them. The WWII display is highlighted by the "E for Excellence" award given to Continental Gin Company, by the Bureau of Ordinance, for their excellence in production. There are several photographs, war ration cards, telegrams, and newspaper articles.
Visit us often to find out the latest happenings within the Autauga County Heritage Association and new exhibits in the Prattaugan Museum. We receive new items throughout the year and are always working to get them on display. If you are interested in assisting our museum staff and volunteers, come join us.
BUENA VISTA
BUENA VISTA is OPEN!
Premier Event Venue in the River Region!
A beautiful antebellum house built circa 1840's. Once called "The Montgomery Place," the mansion is now known as Buena Vista. This outstanding example of Greek Revival architectural style is typical of the homes Daniel Pratt constructed in Georgia prior to his moving to Autauga County in 1833. The beautiful circular cantilevered stairway, the double doors with fan lights, the second story balcony and the elaborately carved cornices and ceiling medallions are all found in Pratt-designed homes. The name "Buena Vista" was given to the home by Fred and Katherine Whittaker who purchased the home in 1937 on finding it used as a hay barn. Over a period of years, they lovingly restored the home to its former grandeur. In 1982, Union Camp Corporation purchased the home and partnered with the Autauga County Heritage Association (ACHA). In 2006, International Paper, the next owner, gifted the historic home to the ACHA. Since that time, many elegant weddings, receptions and dinner parties have shared the southern ambiance of days gone by with their guest.
Available for tours Tuesday 10 - 2, or by appointment.
Available by appointment for Weddings, Receptions, Dinners, Luncheons, Parties, Bridal and Baby Showers, Anniversaries, Corporate Events, Business Seminars and Luncheons. Perfect setting for Prom, Cotillion and Graduation Photo Shoots.
For information on renting the Mansion:
Darlene Leistner Buenavista@autaugahistory.org
(334) 365-3690 or 334-361-0961
641 CO RD 4 E
Prattville, Alabama 36066