The Heritage Center, opened in 1985, is both a historical and a cultural museum dedicated to representing the rich history, customs, traditions and art of Jackson County. The museum is composed of three separate exhibit areas: The ante-bellum "Brown-Proctor House," the pioneer village named "Sagetown," and the "Little Courthouse." A complete tour begins by taking visitors back in time over 12,000 years to the period when Native Americans first entered Jackson County. Visitors are able to view artifacts from this period. Visitors learn the technological and cultural advances that brought the Native Americans from the Paelo and Archaic periods through the Woodland period and finally to the Mississippian Period. Visitors then learn about various tribes that were in the area when the first explorers arrived and, later, when the first settlers arrived. Genealogical Research The Heritage Center is the proud home of Jackson County's early public records. Dating as far back as 1820, The Heritage Center possesses records such as Orphan's Court, Chattel Mortgages, Commissioner's Court, Chancery Court and Circuit Court. In addition, the Heritage Center possesses many medical and store ledgers dating from the 1830's to the 1890's. We also house in our library a number of area histories and family histories which we share with researchers. Research may be conducted during regular museum hours. Traveling Exhibitions and Art In addition to tours and genealogical research, the Heritage Center exhibits various art expositions and traveling exhibits. The Heritage center also hosts various festivals throughout the year. Visitors wishing to learn which exhibits are on display or when events are scheduled should call the museum. Rentals The heritage center is available to rent for meetings, weddings, receptions, teas and other activities. Interested parties should contact the museum for additional information. The Heritage Center is open Monday-Friday from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Tours can be arranged Tuesday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. by special appointment. Simply call 256-259-2122, and we will answer any questions you may have. Sagetown Next, visitors learn about the first unsuccessful attempts made by white settlers to claim the area; how settlement was eventually made possible, and finally how the area was established as Jackson County on December 13, 1819. Following the establishment of the county, visitors learn of Sauta and Bellefonte, the first two county seats, while viewing part of the jail which was built at Bellefonte in 1828. Visitors continue to learn about the growth of towns, the routines of everyday life and the changes that occurred due to the construction of the Memphis-Charleston railroad while walking through "Sagetown," a pioneer town consisting of original log structures dating between 1820-1880. Visitors learn the strategically significant role Jackson County played during the Civil War. In addition, visitors learn the many contrasting veiwpoints shared by the citizenry, including an attempt by some to secede from Alabama. Visitors are then taken to Scottsboro's first courthouse built in 1868. Here, visitors learn of the "battles" fought between the towns to gain possession of the county seat and how Scottsboro was eventually chosen to serve in this capacity. The tour continues with an explanation of the growth of Scottsboro as a community and the construction of ante-bellum homes such as the 1880 "Brown-Proctor House." Back to top
The Scottsboro Page is dedicated to Scottsboro, although it is part of Jackson County, Scottsboro has its own history and Heritage. The Jackson County Page is dedicated to the Towns and Cities in Jackson County and provides an insight to how many of these Towns came to be. | 
