200 S Church Street | Henning TN
Inspired Generations!
Sometimes, the best parts of a road trip are the unplanned detours—the stops that pull you away from your mapped-out route but leave you with memories that linger long after the journey ends. For years, I had wanted to visit the Alex Haley House Museum & Interpretive Center, but it had never been on the way to anywhere I was traveling. That changed on March 24, 2022, when I finally made time for this long-awaited visit while en route to Birmingham to see family. It was not a convenient stop, adding another five hours or so to my trip, but it was worth every mile. Like so many others, my passion for family history was ignited by Alex Haley’s book Roots and its groundbreaking televised mini-series. His work made genealogy feel personal, necessary, and urgent. I had often wished I could have met Mr. Haley himself, but standing in the spaces where he once lived was the next best thing. My visit unfolded in three parts: the Interpretive Center, the Haley home, and finally, the family cemetery. Each offered a unique and profound glimpse into the life and legacy of a man whose storytelling shaped generations.
The Interpretive Center
Location: 2124 Hwy 51 N, Henning, TN 38041 My first stop was the Interpretive Center, which serves as an educational gateway into the world of Alex Haley. The exhibits were a mix of history and storytelling, chronicling Haley’s life, his literary works, and the powerful impact of Roots. Photographs, manuscripts, and personal artifacts filled the space, giving visitors an intimate look into the writer’s journey. The center not only honored his legacy but also reinforced the importance of knowing and preserving our own family histories.
The Alex Haley Home
Location: 200 South Church Street, Henning, TN 38041 Next, I visited the home where Alex Haley once lived. The modest, well-preserved house sat quietly, a tangible link to the past. As I stepped inside, I imagined young Alex listening to his elders, the stories of his ancestors planting seeds that would later blossom into Roots. The home was filled with it’s original period furnishings and memorabilia, offering a glimpse into his upbringing and the environment that shaped his storytelling. There was something deeply moving about standing in the same rooms where he had walked, dreamed, and written. It felt personal, as if I had stepped into a sacred space where history still whispered through the walls. A particularly poignant moment was visiting Alex Haley’s final resting place. He is buried in the front yard of the home, a site that serves as a powerful tribute to his legacy. Standing there, I felt a deep sense of connection to his journey, as if his presence lingered in the air, urging future generations to continue exploring their roots.
The Haley Family Cemetery
Location: Adjacent to the Haley Home My last stop was the Haley Family Cemetery, which, truth be told, was an unusual visit for me. I am not typically one to visit cemeteries, but while I was there, it felt important to pay my respects. Several members of the Murray/Palmer/Haley family are laid to rest here. Yet, it was the grave of “Chicken George” that unexpectedly moved me the most. Standing before his headstone, I reflected on the journey of his character in Roots—from enslavement to freedom—and the real-life struggles and triumphs of those who came before us. In that moment, the past felt incredibly close, and I left with a profound sense of connection.
A Journey of Confirmation
As I drove away, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Though Alex Haley and I are not related, his work had profoundly shaped my understanding of my own history. If nothing else, he motivated me to dig deeper into my heritage, to explore my DNA, and to keep searching, even when the trail grows cold. This trip was, in many ways, a confirmation of that journey. I may never uncover every detail of my ancestry, but I have learned so much over the years—and I hope that one day, I can make my own pilgrimage to the Motherland. This detour, though long, was one of the most rewarding stops I’ve ever made. If you ever find yourself near Henning, Tennessee, I encourage you to take the time. The story of Alex Haley is one that continues to inspire, and standing in the places where his legacy was born is an experience like no other.
