Alex Haley Museum

An educational facility dedicated to the collection, reservation, interpretation, and exhibition of artifacts.

The Museum’s comprehensive collections represent the life and achievements of the renowned author Alex Haley. The museum promotes the understanding and appreciation of history by presenting a range of exhibitions, programs, and events for the community and the world.

This 10 room Craftsman bungalow was built in 1919 by Will E. Palmer, the maternal grandfather of author Alex Haley. Before Haley’s birth, and long before his fame, his grandfather was a significant local businessman within the town of Henning and managed the local lumber mill.

In 1920 Haley’s mother and father, Bertha and Simon A. Haley, married at the nearby New Hope CME Church and had their reception inside the parlor of the recently constructed home. Nearly a year later Bertha gave birth to Alex Haley and from 1921 to 1929, Haley lived here with his grandparents. As a young child sitting on the front porch of the home, Haley heard the stories of his family’s history from his grandmother Cynthia. It was through these stories that Haley learned of Kunta Kinte, the inspiration of his 1976 Pulitzer Prize winning novel book, Roots: The Saga of an American Family.

The State of Tennessee and Tennessee Historical Commission acquired the property in 1985. On March 25th, 1986, the 21st anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery March, Alex Haley cut the ceremonial ribbon to open the new museum. Upon his passing on February 10th, 1992, he was also interred next to the home.