Legacy in Motion
Step inside the 1924 home of Dr. James A. Franklin Sr., the physician who walked miles to heal a segregated city and opened his doors to Paul Robeson, Dorothy Dandridge and Jackie Robinson. Guided tours are a $5 donation.
Guided tours
$5 donation. Children 10 and under are free.
Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturdays by appointment
Dr. James A. Franklin Sr. epitomized the motto “To serve, to save, to uplift.”
To Serve
Dr. James A. Franklin, Sr. began his medical journey with little more than courage, compassion, and a willingness to walk miles to provide care for those who had nowhere else to turn. Living in the segregated Deep South, he often earned too little to cover rent, yet he refused to turn away a single patient.
The Historic Franklin House stands today as a tribute to this calling of service, preserving the quiet heroism that shaped countless lives.
Painting by Apollo Yashon
To Save
Dr. Franklin’s success was measured not only in his medical achievements but in the countless lives and spirits he protected. By 1954, he was known as “The South’s Richest Negro Doctor”, yet his home remained open to those whom society pushed out.
From Paul Robeson and Dorothy Dandridge to Jackie Robinson, the Franklin House offered safety, dignity, and rest, serving as a sanctuary during a time when African Americans had few safe places to stay.
To Uplift
For decades, the Historic Franklin House was a vibrant center for Black culture in Mobile. It welcomed the royal court of the Colored Carnival Association (now the Mobile Area Mardi Gras Association, MAMGA), hosted community gatherings, and served as a nexus for celebration, art, and achievement.
Today, this 13-room historical landmark stands as an uplifting reminder of what becomes possible when resilience meets opportunity, and how one man’s vision can inspire generations.
“The Dora” by Charles Smith and Frank Ledbetter
Built in 1924, the Historic Franklin House stands as one of Mobile’s most meaningful cultural treasures. Through decades of segregation and hardship, the Franklin House became far more than a home. It was a beacon of safety, a space for celebration, and a gathering place for Mobile’s African American community.
Today, the restored home operates as both a gallery and a living history site, honoring Dr. Franklin’s enduring impact on medicine, culture, and civil rights. Visitors walk through preserved rooms, view historic artifacts, and hear stories that reveal how one humble physician turned obstacles into opportunities for countless others.
The home served as a cornerstone of Mobile’s civic and cultural life during the Jim Crow era. It emerged as a hub for educators, artists, and leaders, from the local community to national figures. This space fostered dialogue, mentorship, and community pride, and is now recognized as a site of cultural legacy.
From a medical degree earned against the odds to a home reopened for the whole city.
Walk in his footsteps
Step into the Historic Franklin House & Gallery and walk in the footsteps of Dr. James A. Franklin, a visionary physician, community leader, and advocate whose impact still echoes through Mobile. Each guided tour brings his story, and the stories of those he served, to life through preserved rooms, cherished artifacts, and moving accounts of resilience and progress.
Choose the day and time that work best for you, reserve your spot below, and we will see you at the door.
The Franklin House serves as an intimate and culturally meaningful setting for community gatherings, civic events, meetings, workshops, private receptions, and heritage programs.
Seating for intimate gatherings and meetings
Interior and exterior area access, with over 5,000 sq. ft. of grounds
Catering-friendly space with kitchen access
ADA accessible
On-site coordination for your event
Support the Legacy
The Historic Franklin House & Gallery thrives because of people who believe in honoring the past while inspiring the future. By donating, you help preserve the home of one of Mobile’s most influential African American physicians, a man who walked miles each day to heal others, welcomed travelers who had nowhere safe to stay, and opened doors for a community seeking dignity and opportunity.
Every gift, one-time or monthly, directly supports the preservation of the historic home, educational exhibits and artifacts, community programs and cultural events, guided tours and youth outreach, and the continued operation of the Dora Franklin Finley African American Heritage Trail.
DonateGive a few hours as a docent, greeter, or event helper and keep the doors open for every visitor.
Volunteer formBusinesses and organizations can underwrite exhibits, tours, and community events at the House.
Sponsor form
Heritage Trail Headquarters
The Franklin House is the operational home of the Dora Franklin Finley African American Heritage Trail, which connects visitors with the powerful stories of Mobile’s African American community across more than 40 historic sites, from the city’s founding in 1702 to Africatown, Old Plateau Cemetery, and the story of the Clotilda.
Experience the Legacy
Walk the halls where stories of courage and community were written.
A visit is more than a tour. It is a chance to step into the world of Dr. James A. Franklin Sr., a man whose compassion reshaped the lives of thousands. Choose the day and time that work for you, then join us at 355 N. Ann Street, Mobile, Alabama. We welcome visitors Tuesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday tours are available by appointment.
