During World War II approximately 425,000 Axis soldiers were interned in 700 POW camps in the U.S. One of the largest camps was at Aliceville with a capacity for 6,000 prisoners. The camp employed more than 1,000 American military and civilian personnel.

On June 2, 1943, the first prisoners arrived by train form North Africa. Many of them were from Field Marshall Erwin Rommel’s Africakorp. Later German and Italian POWs from the European theater joined them.

Today, the only evidence of the campsite is a history marker and a large stone chimney (built by POWs) that was part of the Officers’ Club.

In the Museum, visitors from all over the country view lasting artistic expressions made by the Germans. Through their paintings, letters, books, sculptures, wood crafting, pottery, musical instruments and photographs a vivid picture of life at Camp Aliceville is revealed.

In the collection are many items donated to the museum by former POWs, local residents and previous visitors. A fourteen-minute documentary will enlighten you with interviews from former POWs, military guards and civilian employees. The documentary also contains footage from the North Africa Campaign, photographs of plays, orchestras and the sports activities the POWs loved so much.

The Museum is seeking and accepting any WWII German artifacts to add to its collection. The museum is also seeking Viet Nam era shirt and pants (fatigues) for an American soldier mannequin.

The Aliceville Museum collects, preserves and interprets artifacts from a WWII German POW camp, 1942-1945 and from Pickens County?s military and agricultural history. Exhibits include Coca-Cola assembly line equipment (1948-78).