UA’s Transportation Museum Opens Architecture Exhibit

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama’s Mildred Westervelt Warner Transportation Museum will showcase a new exhibit beginning Tuesday, Nov. 8.

The exhibit, “The Modernization of Tuscaloosa’s Built Environment: The Architecture of Don Buel Schuyler, 1937 – 1964,” chronicles Schuyler’s work, primarily highlighting his contributions to Tuscaloosa but touching on his entire career.

As designer for many notable residential and commercial buildings in Tuscaloosa, including 1 Wood Manor, the Queen City Bath House and Possom Hollow, Schuyler was known for his innovative approach. While still in college, he patented the use of concrete beams and upright foundations, something no one else had done at the time, said Katherine Edge, museum director. He also worked with Frank Lloyd Wright on a few projects before he branched off on his own.

The exhibit, which will be open from Nov. 8 through Feb. 25, includes items that were collected by two guest curators: Gene Ford, an architectural historian with UA’s Office of Archaeological Research; and Jeanette Remaley, Schuyler’s granddaughter and a Tuscaloosa interior designer. Many of the images in the exhibit are from the Schuyler family archives, as well as from preservation newsletters and news articles.

“Schuyler did so much to advance Tuscaloosa through his architecture during the time he was here, and we really want to highlight that aspect of Tuscaloosa’s history,” Edge said. “Because Schuyler was the architect of the building the museum is housed in, it just made sense. We’re hoping that everybody enjoys his story and leaves with a better understanding of a particular man’s vision and his contributions to the city through architecture.”

A reception will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 7. Guests will have the opportunity to meet the curators and view the exhibit before the general opening Tuesday. Light refreshments will be served.

Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Museum admission is free.