Visit the Gorgas House Museum from March 3 through March 31, 2026 to see a student-created and curated exhibit titled “Carmilla: A Tale of Monstrous Desire”.

Carmilla, by J. Sheridan Le Fanu, is a vampire novella that was first fully published in 1872 in In a Glass Darkly (an 1872 collection of five Gothic horror stories), after being released in installments in The Dark Blue starting in 1871. The story is narrated by our protagonist, Laura, and is told through letters to an unknown woman recollecting Laura’s time with our titular character Carmilla. Through this narrative we learn of the close, romantic relationship that bloomed between Laura and Carmilla over their short time together before it meets its end. This edition includes edits and commentary by the artist, which endeavor to highlight the romantic aspect of the women’s relationship, as well as collage images of five different scenes through the story. The exhibit features three copies of the edition, highlighting the different things done to the text by the artist, as well as large print outs of the images found inside the book.

This exhibit was created and curated by Rachel Armstrong.

Rachel Armstrong Bio

Rachel Armstrong was born in Florence, Alabama, and has continued to reside in the state for her entire life. She received her BA in English Literature with a minor in Women’s and Gender Studies from Auburn University in 2022. She is finishing her MLIS with a concentration in Archival Studies, MFA in Book Arts, and Certificate in Museum Studies at The University of Alabama. Her work focuses on the culture and literature of the Victorian Gothic era, exploring themes of queerness, the macabre, and the supernatural. Her current work, a reformatting of the novella Carmilla with included personal commentary, entitled “Carmilla: A Tale of Monstrous Desire”, encapsulates all of these themes. She currently resides in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Closing Reception

There will be a closing reception for the exhibit on Saturday, March 28, 2026 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

Admission

General admission is $2.00

Admission is free for current University of Alabama faculty, staff, students, and members of University of Alabama Museums, the Bryant Museum Circle of Champions, and the University Alumni Association.

Museum Hours

The Gorgas House Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. or by appointment by calling 205-348-5906 or emailing gorgashouse@ua.edu.

Museum Location

The Gorgas House Museum is located at 810 Capstone Drive, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, just off the Quadrangle of The University of Alabama campus (one block west of the Amelia Gayle Gorgas Library, at the corner of McCorvey and Capstone Drives).

Parking

Parking ($5) is available in the North Ten Hoor and Student Center parking decks. For large tour buses and special event parking, please make arrangements in advance of your visit by calling 348-5906 or emailing gorgashouse.as.ua.edu.

Parking on Saturdays is free in University of Alabama spaces.

Contact Information

If you have questions about this event, please contact Sonya Harwood-Johnson (Director, Gorgas House Museum) by calling 205-348-5906 or emailing sonya.harwood@ua.edu.