The John Looney Pioneer House and Museum outside of Ashville is a great place to go and enjoy St. Clair County's rich history.

St. Clair County museums not only preserve history for future generations, they also help community members relive their pasts.

The Fortson Museum and Archives, located at 150 Alabama Street in Odenville, opened in April. Ann Coupland, one of the four operating committee members who volunteer at the museum, said it is important to the community to have places like this museum. She said the idea for the museum began a few years ago, after Mary “Sis” Fortson, who the museum is named after, had her belongings donated after her death to create the museum. Her relatives also donated money from her estate sale to help cover some of the museum costs.

The Fortson Museum is open Wednesdays and Fridays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and the first Sunday of the month from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are welcome.

The building has been a bank, post office, dentist office, ice cream parlor and fire station, a long with other things. The bank safe and post office boxes still remain in the museum.

The City of Odenville gives the Fortson Museum money for utilities, and they provided the building and the lease money.

The historical society committee, who also serve as volunteers for the museum, said they were the most excited about the “Hall of Heroes,” a room dedicated to those in St. Clair County who served in the military. There are pictures of soldiers, items from different wars — the oldest item being a chest from the Civil War — and military uniforms.

Hans Stein, who served 33 years in the military and received three purple hearts, said this room was important because it helped people, young and old, understand what soldiers experienced.

“I just fell in love with it,” Stein said of the room. “It’s great for our community, and it shows the young what we did.”

Jennie Stone, a committee member, said “we want to preserve it for all generations” so people know the museum is a part of their lives.

“It has something that would interest everybody,” Stone said. “We have toys for kids to look at, jewelry for women and military things for men and women.”

However, Stone’s favorite items are the crystal and china sets: “It made me say, ‘I remember Granny had one of those. … It brings back a lot of memories.’”

Paulette Gilchrist, committee member, said about 10 people visit the museum each day it’s open, and she said she hopes the numbers continue to grow the longer the museum is there. She also said she wants “to preserve what little history we have left.”

Another historical site that needs to be maintained and visited is the John Looney Pioneer House and Museum, which is also run by the historical society volunteers. The Looney House, located at 4187 Greensport Road in Ashville, is a two-story log house that has been listed as a historic site since 1974. It is the only house in Alabama with a double dog-trot, and it recently received county approval for a new roof.

There will be tours June 12-13, July 10-11, August 14-15 and Sept. 11-12. Hours will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays. Admission is $3 for adults, $1 for children 6 to 12 years old and free for children 6 and younger.

The annual Fall Festival and Crafts Show will be Oct. 9 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be quilting, soap making and other activities to “see how pioneers lived,” Coupland said.

For more information about either museum, contact Coupland at 629-6897.