Sumter County: Museums, Architecture and Nature

When looking for a hotel for a trip to Sumter County, you can plan around the topics that interest you: regional history, historic architecture, contemporary art or landscape. Consider whether collections and archaeological finds, historic sites or nature topics should take center stage. The following places and topics offer different points of interest.

Black Belt Museum and Regional History

The Black Belt Museum is dedicated to collecting, preserving, exhibiting, interpreting and celebrating the landscape and rich history of the Black Belt in Alabama and Mississippi. Its collections include objects of archaeological, botanical, geological, paleontological and archival interest. This offers a perspective ranging from material evidence of the past to nature and archival topics.

The museum is also a center for regional studies, programs and other public activities. If a particular program is important to your trip, check the latest information in advance.

Fort Tombecbe and Archaeological Finds

Fort Tombecbe, near Epes, was one of three major forts that France established in Alabama in the early 18th century. Excavations there uncovered artifacts from the French, British and Spanish periods of occupation; the finds are curated at the Black Belt Museum. The site thus connects the history of the French fort with later periods of occupation.

Visitor information updated on April 18, 2025, described visits during a limited period at that time as being available only through a special tour arranged with Black Belt Museum staff. If you plan to visit Fort Tombecbe, confirm access with the museum in advance.

Historic Architecture and Town History

The Main (Yankee) Street Historic District is significant for its outstanding collection of architectural styles and designs from the antebellum town of Gainesville. It includes the last surviving group of original houses in Gainesville, including the home of Col. Moses Lewis, the town’s founder. The district’s architecture and its connection to the founding of Gainesville are both of interest.

The Alamuchee-Bellamy Covered Bridge was built in 1861 from hand-hewn heartwood of Weymouth pine. It is one of the oldest surviving covered bridges in the southern United States. Its materials and construction date give it a distinctive place among the historic structures associated with Sumter County.

Contemporary Art in York

In York, Alabama, the Coleman Center for the Arts is a nonprofit contemporary arts organization. This makes contemporary art another possible focus alongside regional history and historic structures.

White Cliffs of Epes and the Tombigbee River

The White Cliffs of Epes are made of chalk-like material, extend for two miles and offer visitors many opportunities for exploration. The Tombigbee River runs along the eastern boundary of Sumter County. A series of locks and dams enables boat traffic while also offering scenic views and recreational opportunities. This places a geologically distinctive site alongside a river associated with both transportation and recreation as two different landscape topics.

Visitor Information and Folklife in Livingston

The Sumter County Chamber of Commerce houses the county’s visitor center in Livingston. Since this is a current visitor service, check the details before your trip. The Bored Well in Livingston is also part of local history: its water became known in the 19th century for its purported healing properties. This historical claim places the well in the context of its use at the time.

The Sucarnochee Folklife Festival has been held annually in Livingston for more than 20 years. It showcases crafts such as pottery, metalwork and quilting. If you want to plan your trip around the festival, check the dates before booking.

Major Routes for Orientation

Major routes in Sumter County include Interstate 20/59, U.S. Highway 11 and U.S. Highway 80. Interstate 20/59 and U.S. Highway 11 run from southwest to northeast; U.S. Highway 80 crosses the southern half of the county from west to east. These directions provide an overview of the roads’ regional orientation. You can use them to plan your route between the places you want to visit.

Discover more destinations: York, Calhoun County, Autauga County, Jefferson, Marengo County, Jackson, Cullman County, Blount County.

For the broader travel overview: Alabama.