Protect, Preserve, & Interpret 
Alabama's  Historic Places

468 S Perry St, Montgomery, AL 36104   ( 334) 230-2690
In This Issue
Calendar of Events
Year-Round
Guided tours are offered by appointment only, Monday - Friday at 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00. Self-guided tours anytime Monday-Friday, no appointment needed. Call Lisa Franklin, 
Site Director, at 
334-242-3188 for more information.
May 28
Memorial Day Tribute. Special-guided tours will be conducted throughout the day by historical interpreters dressed in U.S. Army uniforms from different eras of the Fort's occupation. Demonstrations will also be conducted. For more information please call 
251-540-7127.
June 4
1814 Militia.
For more information call  334-567-3002.
June 4
Friends of the Forts Work Day
For more information call  334-567-3002.
June 4
Cemetery Walking Tour. For more information call 
334-872-8058. 
June 23
Alabama Register  
Meeting ----
Scheduled for 10:00pm at the Alabama Historical Commission in the Carriage House. For more information call 
334-230-2690.
June 29
Garden Mosaic Stepping Stone Workshop. For more information call 
334-624-8618. 
Recent Press Releases


In the News















MAY NEWS
Lisa D. Jones Appointed to Executive Director of the Alabama Historical Commission

"The Alabama Historical Commission is pleased to appoint Lisa Jones as Executive Director," said Dr. James Day, Chair of Commission. 

"Since assuming duties as the Acting Executive Director one year ago, Lisa has provided effective leadership during challenging times.  Under her direction, the AHC Staff has been involved in numerous projects throughout the state, and interaction among the Montgomery office and our historic sites has improved immeasurably.  In spite of perennial cutbacks in state funding, the AHC is more active and morale is higher than we have seen in recent years.  The future looks brighter for the Commission, and we're excited to have Lisa at the helm."
Celebrating The 50th Anniversary Of The Alabama Historical Commission

In May, on the House floor, Representative Bradley Byrne  recognized the 50th Anniversary of the Alabama Historical Commission and the National Historic Preservation Act. 

"Over the last 50 years, the National Historic Preservation Act and the creation of the Alabama Historical Commission has had a profound impact on communities throughout Alabama and all across the United States," said Rep. Byrne. "In the past year alone, the Alabama Historical Commission welcomed over 250,000 visitors to its historic sites and engaged more than 1,000 volunteers in 8,958 hours of service. The Federal Preservation Tax Incentives Program, created by the National Historic Preservation Act and implemented by the Alabama Historical Commission in my home state, is the largest federal program supporting historic preservation."

"In order to remain an optimistic and hopeful nation, it is critical we understand our history and how we got to this point. So on their 50th Anniversary, I am proud to highlight the important impact of the Alabama Historical Commission and the National Historic Preservation Act."

Read more at  http://capitolwords.org
55th Anniversary Commemoration of the Freedom Rides a Success

On behalf of the Alabama Historical Commission, thank you to our partners and visitors for your generous support during the 55th Anniversary Commemoration of the Freedom Rides on May 20-21. The event was a great success with over 300 people in attendance. We received notes and comments from many people saying how much they enjoyed the occasion. The Freedom Riders said they felt welcomed and honored by everything that was done for them .
 
Thank you for your participation and support in creating an opportunity for our community to gain a deeper understanding of the richly layered history surrounding the events that occurred at the former bus station 55 years ago. More importantly, for helping to create an event that will have a lasting impact on today's youth.

Alabama's Places in Peril 2016 List

Beginning in 1994, a list of the state's most endangered historic places has been published. 

This is part of an effort to publicize the urgent need for action to save historically important and architecturally significant homes, public buildings, bridges, and other parts of the built environment. 

Over two decades, many structures have been saved, but many have also been lost. 

Click here to view Alabama's Places in Peril 2016. 
Change to Alabama Historical Commission Email Address

In May, the AHC launched its new email address, John.Doe@AHC.Alabama.gov. This is in response to our new website which will go live this summer.
Welcome to New AHC Intern
 
Taylor Stewart is a second year Masters student at Middle Tennessee State University. She will be receiving a M.A. in Public History this December and hopes to find a job in  preservation shortly after. Taylor is from Alabama and was raised in Prattville. She received an undergraduate degree in Public Relations and History from the University of Alabama Birmingham.  Taylor loves old buildings, but also enjoys reading, live music, and being in or near any body of water. 

This summer Taylor will be working on AHC's ongoing efforts to digitize Historic Register files into a GIS database.  She will also be assisting with a National Register of Historic Places nomination here at the Alabama Historical Commission.

Blue Star Museums

Blue Star Museums is a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and museums across America.  Each summer since 2010, Blue Star Museums have offered free admission to the nation's active-duty military personnel and their families, including National Guard and Reserve, from Memorial Day through Labor Day.  

The following AHC sites participate in the Blue Star Museum Program:

Fort Morgan State Historic Site 

See more at: https://www.arts.gov/national/blue-star-museums#!AL
Where in the State are the AHC Staff?

Overton Farms and the Bear Creek Educational Center

Staff from the Alabama Historical Commission attended the reopening of Overton Farms and the Bear Creek Educational Center in Hodges, Alabama.



United South & Eastern Tribes (USET)

Lisa D. Jones, Executive Director of AHC, and Stacye Hathorn, State Archaeologist, attended the United South & Eastern Tribes Conference in Atmore, Alabama.


#ThisPlaceMatters


AHC Staff participated in the #ThisPlaceMatters social media campaign (photographed in front of the Teague House, main office of the AHC) with the Landmarks Foundation in Montgomery, Alabama. This was in celebration of May being Preservation Month.
Happenings at #AHCsites  

While preparing to replace wooden steps at the main office in Montgomery, AHC archaeologists uncovered the original lot wall of the Teague house.

Bush Hog, Inc. President, Jerry Worthington donated a compact landscape rake to Old Cahawba. This new piece of equipment will enable AHC to continue this landscape work and to do it more efficiently. Menzo Driskell, Chairman of the Cahawba Advisory Committee, played a vital role in facilitating this donation.

Old Cahawba BYOB (Bring Your Own Bike) Tour

Fort Toulouse-Fort Jackson Park 1814 Militia


Freedom Rides Museum 55th Anniversary Commemoration of the Freedom Rides and the First Annual BYOB Freedom Ride

Employment Opportunities with the Alabama Historical Commission

The Alabama Historical Commission (SHPO) seeks to hire a Cultural Resource Specialist whose primary responsibility will be to review and comment on Alabama Department of Transportation projects undertaken pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. This position will review and comment on architectural reports/documents pursuant to federal historic preservation laws and regulations. Knowledge of Alabama history, a specific understanding of the regulatory review process, and experience in evaluating properties for the National Register of Historic Places is preferred. 

To apply, visit https://www.personnel.alabama.gov/Jobs.aspx. Search for Class 30422, Option 175, 176, and 177. Applicants are encouraged to apply for each option for which they are qualified.


Fort Toulouse-Fort Jackson Park in Wetumpka, Alabama, is accepting applications for a Parks Worker (half time) position. The selectee for this position works a twenty hour week (four hours per day), Wednesday through Sunday, at a starting rate of $8.58 per hour and works in both the Visitor Center and the Fee Booth. Candidates for this position should possess basic computer skills as well  as the ability to operate a cash register and maintain electronic/paper files. 

Please submit applications to the Fort Toulouse-Fort Jackson Visitor Center no later than 4PM, Friday, 8 April 2016. For more information call the park at 334-567-3002.

Happenings Around the State  
JULY


July 17 - Stone Street Baptist Church 210th Anniversary Celebration, Mobile, AL. To learn more about the history of the church click here



July 27 to 31 - The National Alliance of Preservation Commissions is proud to present the 10th Biennial NAPC FORUM in Mobile, Alabama . As the only national conference focused on the issues facing local historic preservation boards and commissions, FORUM 2016 includes dozens of educational sessions and discussion panels, mobile workshops and tours, and five days of non-stop networking for commission staff and volunteers representing local, state and national organizations and government agencies.                 
AUGUST

August 22-24Mark your calendars for the 3rd annual aLABama Downtown Laboratory Conference held in historic Five Points in Birmingham, AL. The conference is highly anticipated and attended by downtown revitalization experts, historic preservationists and economic development professionals from across the state.  Main Street Alabama is planning a packed conference with the focus on Design - one of the four points of the Main Street Approach.

August 31-September 2
The recruitment process for the annual 2016 Your Town Alabama Workshop has launched!  Please share this information with co-workers and clients who would benefit from the workshop. The workshop will be held at Camp McDowell near Nauvoo, AL, in their NEW facilities at Bethany Village. Participants are required to stay the entire 2½ days.   Participants can  click the link: http://yourtown2016.eventbrite.com and follow the instructions to register and pay on-line.             
Want to Share Preservation News and Events Statewide?

Send news and event information to the Alabama Historical Commission

Email submissions  to jacqulyn.kirkland@preserveala.org .  
Please mark as "Attention: E-News."

334-230-2690
 
468 South Perry Street
Montgomery, AL 36130-0900