Free walking tours highlighting Fairhope's distinctive history will return this weekend as part of the Alabama Tourism Department's April Walking Tours initiative.

The city's first tour of the 2025 season kicks off Saturday at 10 a.m. with local history enthusiast Wayne "Coach" Miller leading guests through the historic campus of the School of Organic Education, now home to Coastal Alabama Community College. The one-mile tour will begin at the Fairhope Welcome Center and last about one hour.

Miller, a retired coach and longtime local, will share stories and insights into the school's legacy and Fairhope's roots as a utopian single-tax colony founded in the late 1800s.

Each Saturday in April, a different guide will offer a new perspective on the city's past, with all tours starting at 10 a.m. at the Welcome Center, located at 20 N. Section St.

The Organic School, founded in 1907 by educator Marietta Johnson, was nationally recognized for its progressive approach to education. It rejected traditional grading systems and emphasized creativity and hands-on learning. Johnson's philosophy drew attention from thinkers across the country and remains a key part of Fairhope's identity.

The walking tours are part of a statewide effort by the Alabama Tourism Department to spotlight community stories and cultural heritage. More than 30 towns across the state are participating in this year's initiative.
For more information on the Fairhope tours, call the Fairhope Welcome Center at (251) 928-5095.