The Aliceville POW Museum and Cultural Center

During World War II approximately 425,000 Axis soldiers were interned in 700 POW camps in the U.S. One of the largest camps was at Aliceville with a capacity for 6,000 prisoners. The camp employed more than 1,000 American military and civilian personnel.

On June 2, 1943, the first prisoners arrived by train form North Africa. Many of them were from Field Marshall Erwin Rommel’s Africakorp. Later German and Italian POWs from the European theater joined them.

Today, the only evidence of the campsite is a history marker and a large stone chimney (built by POWs) that was part of the Officers’ Club.

In the Museum, visitors from all over the country view lasting artistic expressions made by the Germans. Through their paintings, letters, books, sculptures, wood crafting, pottery, musical instruments and photographs a vivid picture of life at Camp Aliceville is revealed.

In the collection are many items donated to the museum by former POWs, local residents and previous visitors.

A fourteen-minute documentary will enlighten you with interviews from former POWs, military guards and civilian employees. The documentary also contains footage from the North Africa Campaign, photographs of plays, orchestras and the sports activities the POWs loved so much.

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The Museum is seeking and accepting any WWII German artifacts to add to its collection.  If anyone has something to offer, please contact Mary Bess Puluzzi:

phone (205-373-2363)

e-mail (museum@nctv.com)

The museum is also seeking Viet Nam era shirt and pants (fatigues) for an American soldier mannequin.

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                                         Directions to the Aliceville Museum

From Birmingham – Take Interstate 20/ 59 to Exit 40 ( Eutaw/Aliceville Exit) take a right off the exit ramp onto State Highway 14. Continue on Highway 14. You will come to a . stop sign in Aliceville. Turn left onto Memorial Parkway. Travel 3 blocks and turn right onto Broad Street. The museum is located on the corner of Memorial Parkway and Broad Street.

From the South – Take Highway 14 from Selma north to Aliceville. You will come to a stop sign. Turn left onto Memorial Parkway. Travel three blocks and turn right onto Broad Street. The museum is located on the corner of Memorial Parkway and Broad Street.

From Columbus, MS – Take Highway 69. 69 changes to Highway 14 in Alabama. You will pass through Pickensville, and be 10 miles from Aliceville. You will come to a red light in Aliceville. Take a left, go two blocks to the 4-way stop sign and turn right onto Broad Street. The museum is the last building on the left on Broad Street. Look for the green awning.

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