The Official E-Newsletter of the Alabama Historical Commission
Volume 3 Number 5
468 S Perry St, Montgomery, AL 36104   ( 334) 242-3184
In This Issue
Calendar of Events

See more events at
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. Guided Saturday Tours are offered at 9:00, 11:00, 1:00, and 3:00 (group reservation requested but not required). 
Call Lisa Franklin, 
Site Director, at 
334-242-3188 for more information.
March 5-April
Making Alabama, a Bicentennial Traveling Exhibit,  will feature eight periods of history - from becoming a territory to achieving statehood and beyond.
 For more information contact Lisa Franklin, 
Site Director, at 
334-242-3188.
March 30-
April 30
Glory & Gratitude to the United States Exhibit c ontains copies and translations of 20 letters of gratitude beautifully written and decorated by Belgian schoolchildren in 1915.
 For more information contact Lisa Franklin, 
Site Director, at 
334-242-3188.
April - May
Guided Tours and Small Arms Demonstrations every Tuesday and Thursday at 10:00am. For more information c all 251-540-5257 .
April 14
Beautification Day is an opportunity to volunteer with other members of the community to help maintain the site's grounds . For more information email 
cait@bellemontmansio
 n.org 
April 17-21
Public bird banding returns to the Alabama Gulf Coast again this spring, courtesy of Birmingham Audubon and its partners (Alabama Department of Conservation & Natural Resources, Mississippi State University, Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism, the Alabama Historical Commission, Mobile Bay Audubon Society).
For more information click here.
April 21-22
French & Indian and War Encampment. For more information c all 
334-567-3002.
April 27-28
Civil War Living History & Saturday Skirmish. For more information contact the Park at  205-755-1990 or chappelle.cmp@
April 26
National Register Review Board Meeting ----
The meeting will be held at 10:30am in the Carriage House at the Alabama Historical Commission. For more call  334-242-3184.  
April 28
Belle Mont ----
Artists are invited to join fellow painters for a demonstration by noted artists Martha Carpenter and Tim Stevenson followed by an afternoon of Plein Aire painting on the grounds of Belle Mont. For more information c all 256-381-5052 or 256-383-0783.
May 1-27
Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH) consumer art show.  For more information contact Lisa Franklin, 
Site Director, at 
334-242-3188.
May 26
Living History Memorial Day Tribute. Staff will be dressed in uniforms from various periods of Fort Morgan's occupation. 
For more information call 251-540-5257.
May 28-June 22
Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services' Poster Exhibit.  For more information contact Lisa Franklin, 
Site Director, at 
334-242-3188.
May 5
Bird Walk for Beginners (& History Buffs). For more information c all 
334-872-8058.
May 19
French & Indian and War Re-enactment. For more information c all  334-567-3002.
Recent Press Releases

See more press releases at ahc.alabama.gov
 




In the News

See more news at ahc.alabama.gov
  

MARCH-APRIL 2018 NEWS
The Alabama Historical Commission Participates in National Historic Preservation Advocacy Week

Lisa D. Jones, AHC Executive Director, Clara Nobles, AHC Assistant Executive Director, and Lee Anne Wofford, AHC Deputy SHPO, had a successful visit to Washington, D.C. for National Historic Preservation Advocacy Week.  
 
They met with Cissy Jackson in Senator Doug Jones' office, Hamilton Bloom in Senator Richard Shelby's office, Mike Albares in Rep. Martha Roby's office, Rep. Terri Sewell, Rep. Bradley Byrne, Clay Mills in Rep. Mo Brooks' office, Hunter Hobart in Rep. Gary Palmer's office, and Rep. Robert Aderholt. 
 
They asked each member to support economic development, job creation, and our national heritage by appropriating $80.9 million for the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) in FY 2018 and $88.5 million in FY 2019.  The HPF is where SHPOs  receive their federal appropriation each year.  Currently, the AHC's appropriation is approximately $850,000. We must match this amount by 40%--either by cash or in-kind and we must grant 10% to Certified Local Governments (CLGs).  The HPF is not tax revenue and is funded by Outer Continental Shelf Oil Lease revenues.  Every year, $150 million in lease revenue is deposited into the HPF, but that amount has never been fully appropriated. 

In conjunction with Preservation Action, AHC was honored to present Rep. Bradley Byrne with a certificate and engraved brick recognizing his work to preserve the federal historic tax credit during the 115th Congress. 
 
The HPF was authorized until 2023 in the NPS Centennial Bill passed last year by Congress.  During Advocacy Week, the federal government was being funded under a Continuing Resolution that was set to expire March 23, 2018. Subsequently, on March 23 President Trump signed the $1.29 trillion Fiscal Year 2018 spending bill into law. The Fiscal Year 2018 omnibus bill increased overall the HPF by $16 million and increased SHPO apportionments by $1 million. 

The HPF was being funded under FY 2017 levels, which is the same level it had been funded at since FY 2009.  During their visit, Lisa D. Jones, AHC Executive Director, Clara Nobles, AHC Assistant Executive Director, and Lee Anne Wofford, AHC Deputy SHPO, explained how these funds are for the work of SHPOs across the country and it's how AHC carries out our federal mandate. The HPF also funds Tribal Historic Preservation Offices, Save America's Treasures grants, Civil Rights competitive grants (of which Alabama just received over $2 million), underrepresented community grants, and competitive grants for Historically Black Colleges and Universities. 

Lisa D. Jones, AHC Executive Director, Clara Nobles, AHC Assistant Executive Director, and Lee Anne Wofford, AHC Deputy SHPO, meeting with Rep. Terri Sewell. 
 
Congress passed, and President Trump signed into law, comprehensive tax reform in December 2017.  The federal historic tax credit was part of the previous tax code and was in serious jeopardy of being eliminated. There was a huge push by NCSHPO, the National Trust, Preservation Action, and other advocacy groups for the preservation of the federal historic tax credit.  Thankfully, the federal tax credit was saved, but not without some substantial changes. The pre-1936 10% credit for non-historic buildings was eliminated completely.  For the 20% credit, in the previous tax code, a taxpayer could take the entire 20% federal credit when the rehabilitation project was complete. Now, the taxpayer must claim the credit over a period of 5 years. In AHC's meetings with our Congressional delegation, we emphasized what an important economic development tool the tax credit is for the U.S. and specifically Alabama where it can be combined with our state historic rehabilitation tax credit. 
The Legislature Adjourned Sine Die on March 29, 2018 - 
This is the last AHC Legislative update for 2018


Senate Bill 11 (Prohibit renaming Schools)  
Sponsor: Senator Brewbaker 
Committee: Education and Youth Affairs 

The Alabama Memorial Preservation Act of 2017 prohibits certain schools located on public property and erected for, or named or dedicated in honor of, an event, a person, a group, a movement, or military service, from being renamed. 

This bill would remove the prohibition against the renaming of those schools and would specifically exempt all preK-12, post-secondary, and higher education institutions and facilities from the Alabama Memorial Preservation Act of 2017. 

Final Status: Died in Committee 

House Bill 15 (Opt out of Alabama Memorial Preservation Act) 
Sponsor: Representative Givan 
Committee: State Government 

Under existing law, certain entities and government agencies are exempt from the Alabama Memorial Preservation Act of 2017. 

This bill would authorize any municipality to opt out of the provisions of the act upon vote of the governing body of the municipality. 

Final Status: Died in Committee

House Bill 16 (Repeal Memorial Preservation Act) 
Sponsor: Representative Givan 
Committee: State Government 

Under existing law, the Alabama Memorial Preservation Act of 2017 provides for the preservation of certain architecturally significant buildings, memorial buildings, memorial streets, and monuments on public property, as well as memorial schools. 

This bill would repeal the Alabama Memorial Preservation Act of 2017.

Final Status: Died in Committee 

House Bill 283 (Memorial Preservation Act not to apply to a Class 1 Municipality) 
Sponsor: Representative Givan 
Committee: State Government 

Under existing law, the Alabama Memorial Preservation Act of 2017 provides for the preservation of certain architecturally significant buildings, memorial buildings, memorial streets, and monuments on public property, as well as memorial schools. 

This bill would provide that the Alabama Memorial Preservation Act of 2017 does not apply to a Class 1 Municipality. 

Final Status: Died in Committee

Senate Bill 8 (Cultural Resources Underwater Act) 
Sponsor: Senator McClendon 
Committee: Governmental Affairs 

Under existing law, all abandoned shipwrecks or remains of those ships and all underwater treasures and artifacts that are contained in or on submerged lands belonging to the State of Alabama, and have remained unclaimed for 50 years, are cultural resources that are eligible for, or listed in, the National Register of Historic Places or the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage. 

This bill would remove the language that includes the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage. 

Update: This bill passed a 3rd reading in the Senate on 1/25 and was referred to the State Government Committee in the House. Bill will be heard in State Government Committee on 2/21 in Room 429 at 3:00pm. Senate Bill 8 was voted out of State Government Committee on 2/21 and is awaiting 3rd reading in the second House.

Final Status: Died awaiting 3rd reading 

Senate Bill 131 (Confederate Park Revenue change) 
Sponsor: Senator Pittman 
Committee: Finance and Taxation General Fund 

This bill amends Sections 9-13-84, 22-9A-23,22-21-24, 27-4A-3, 28-3-74, 28-3-184, 28-3- 201,28-3-202, 28-3-204, 28-7-16, 38-4-12, 38-4-12.1,40-1-31, 40-8-3, 40-21-51, 40-21-87, 40- 23-35,12 40-23-50, 40-23-77, and 40-25-23 of the Code of 13 Alabama 1975, to provide further for the distribution of state tax revenues. 

This bill reduces Confederate Memorial Park's revenue from $.10 on each $100 of assessed value of taxable property to $.08 on each $100. 

Update: This bill is scheduled to be in Finance and Taxation General Fund Committee on January 24 at 9:30 am in room 727. No vote on the bill in committee. 

Final Status: Died in Committee 

House Bill 156 (General Fund) 
Sponsor: Representative Clouse 
Committee: Ways and Means General Fund 

The AHC has been appropriated level funding in this initial budget. 

Final Status: Died in Committee 

House Bill 175 (Education Budget) 
Sponsor: Representative Poole 
Committee: Finance and Taxation Education 

The AHC is included in the Education Trust Fund Budget with an appropriation of $1,350,000. The majority of these funds are for grants to other entities. 

The Senate Companion Bill for the ETF is SB 165, they mirror each other. 

Update: AHC funding reduced from $1,350,000 to $1,150,000. The grants program was reduced from $750,000 to $550,000. This bill passed out of committee and is awaiting 3rd reading. Bill was on the House floor for a 3rd reading on 2/13. An additional $59,962 was deleted from the AHC budget line leaving the AHC with $1,090,038.  This bill will be heard in Committee on 3/13 in Room 727 at 1:00pm.

Update: Bill came out of Committee with an increase from $1,090,038 to $1,290,038, and the grants portion increased back to $750,000. The bill was on the floor on 3/15 and the floor amendment increased the appropriation to $1,350,038.

Final Status: Bill was sent to Governor for signature on 3/29 

Senate Bill 165 (Education Budget-Companion to HB 175) 
Sponsor: Senator Orr 
Committee: Finance and Taxation Education 
The AHC is included in the Education Trust Fund Budget with an appropriation of $1,350,000. The majority of these funds are for grants to other entities. 

Final Status: Died in Committee 

Senate Bill 178 (General Fund) 
Sponsor: Senator Pittman 
Committee: Finance & Taxation General Fund 

The AHC has been appropriated level funding in this initial budget. 

Update: The General Fund was heard in committee on 2/15. The AHC held onto level funding for the Agency. However, line-item appropriations of $50,000 each was included for Historic Chattahoochee Commission, Historic Ironworks Commission, St. Stephens Historical State Park, Historic Blakeley Authority, Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park, and Brierfield Ironworks Historical State Park. The General Fund passed out of Senate on 2/20 and has been sent to the House Committee on Ways and Means General Fund.

Update: Bill was heard in Committee on 3/7, the Historic Chattahoochee Commission was removed as a line item and was replaced by Fendall Hall for $50,000. Bill now awaits 3rd reading. 

Update: Bill had 3rd reading on 3/13 and goes back to the House to concur or go to a conference committee.

Update: Bill sent to the Governor for signature on 3/21

Final Status: Passed and assigned Act No. 2018-354

House Bill 436 (Tax Credit Bill) 
Sponsor:  Rep. Laura Hall 
Committee:  Ways and Means Education 

Income tax credit against tax liability for the rehabilitation, preservation, or development of certified structures near certain higher education institutions (Auburn, Alabama A&M, and Tuskegee), Historic University Neighborhood Rehabilitation Act. The certified structure must be located within one-half mile of a historic higher education institution in Alabama. The tax credit is a total of $50 million, $10 million each tax year 2019-2023.

Final Status : Died in Committee

House Bill 445 (This is exactly the same as HB 436) 
Sponsor:  Rep. Laura Hall 
Committee:  Ways and Means Education 

Income tax credit against tax liability for the rehabilitation, preservation, or development of certified structures near certain higher education institutions (Auburn, Alabama A&M, and Tuskegee), Historic University Neighborhood Rehabilitation Act. The certified structure must be located within one-half mile of a historic higher education institution in Alabama. The tax credit is a total of $50 million, $10 million each tax year 2019-2023.

Update : Bill will have a public hearing in Committee on 3/20 in Room 617 at 11:00 am.
Final Status: Died in Committee
Alabama Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Survey & National Register Nomination Project

In January 2017, the Alabama Historical Commission received funding through the National Park Service's (NPS) Underrepresented Communities Historic Preservation Fund to develop an Alabama HBCUs Survey and National Register Nomination Project. A major goal of this project is to collect information that will formally recognize all nine of the four-year HBCUs in Alabama, as well as support preservation efforts of current and future administrations as plans are made to upgrade campus infrastructure, launch capital campaigns, and apply for NPS grant funding. 

Currently, the Center for Historic Preservation at Middle Tennessee State University is visiting Alabama's four-year HBCUs to conduct survey work, which includes photographing buildings and researching the history and development of the campuses.

Once the initial survey process is finished, National Register nominations will be completed for each campus. Public meetings will be held on each campus to inform the public of the project status and to request input from university administrations, alumni associations, historians, archivists, along with local historical associations and organizations. 

Read the AHC's January 2017 Press Release here. 
Federal News from the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers 
 
Historic Preservation Fund:

With the Fiscal Year 2018 omnibus spending bill completed, focus has already turned to the Fiscal Year 2019 spending bills that must be completed before the end of September 2018. The funding bill for the Department of the Interior provides funding for the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF). Passage of a spending bill or a continuing resolution that funds the government at Fiscal Year 2018 levels are expected to be one of the only significant pieces of legislation passed before the 2018 elections.

The Fiscal Year 2018 omnibus bill increased overall Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) by $16 million and increase SHPO apportionments by $1 million. The overall HPF increased from $80.91 million in Fiscal Year 2017 to $96.91 million in Fiscal Year 2018. SHPO apportionments increased from $47.93 million to $48.93 million. SHPO apportionments were level funded from Fiscal Year 2009 through Fiscal Year 2016. SHPO apportionments were increased by $1 million in Fiscal Year 2017. 

Read more news here. 
Where in the State are AHC Staff?


Will Lowe, AHC ALDOT Liaison, Chris Kinder, AHC ALDOT Liaison, and Amanda McBride, AHC Section 106 Program Head, attended Tribal Consultation hosted by the Federal Highway Administration and Alabama Department of Transportation in Mobile. Consultations occur annually to discuss cultural resource issues and foster good relationships with Federally recognized Tribes and the federal agency. 

Participants visited Bottle Creek,  one of the most important prehistoric Native American sites in Alabama. Located on Mound Island, in the heart of the Mobile-Tensaw Delta, it is the largest mound complex on the northern Gulf coastal plain.

Bottle Creek was occupied from about 1250 and most likely served as the principal political and religious center for what is now called Pensacola culture for the three centuries prior to European contact. Bottle Creek continued to be Mound L, an important site for local Indians, such as the Mobilians, well into the eighteenth century, and French explorer and founder of Mobile Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville, is believed to have visited the site in 1702.

Now administered by the Alabama Historical Commission, Bottle Creek was declared a National Historic Landmark on March 10, 1995, joining Moundville Archaeological Park as the only other Native American site so recognized in the state of Alabama. 

Image (above): Amanda McBride and Will Lowe standing in front of the highest mound at Bottle Creek.  


 
Elvin Lang, Vice-Chair of the Black Heritage Council of the AHC, Hannah Garmon, AHC Historical Marker Coordinator, and (not pictured) Dorothy Walker, Site Director of the Freedom Rides Museum, attended a marker unveiling for the Union Chapel AME Zion Church in the historic Madison Park Community in Montgomery County.  The 137-year- old church founded in 1881 by freed slaves was  added to the Alabama Register of Landmarks & Heritage in 2017 . To learn more about the AHC historical marker program click here. 

 
AHC ALDOT Liaisons, Chris Kinder and Will Lowe,  met with Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in Muscle Shoals at the Wilson Dam.  They inspected the site's circa 1937 Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) pavilion, which will soon be rehabbed.  

Wilson Dam, located on the Tennessee River between Colbert and Lauderdale counties near Muscle Shoals, was originally constructed to provide hydroelectric power for the production of nitrates during World War I. It also made the river more navigable, provided energy for regional development, and created numerous recreational activities. Wilson Dam is the largest conventional hydroelectric power-generating facility in the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) system.


AHC staff participated in a brainstorming workshop on the Elba Theatre Restoration Project.  

Restoration 154 purchased the venue in 2011 and have worked since then to get the venue reopened. 

Years later, and a $50,000 grant secured along with local donations, they are still not in a position to start the project. 
Restoration 154 partnered with the Fox Theatre Institute, out of Atlanta, for a day long workshop with a main goal of brainstorming ideas to secure funding.
Happenings at #AHCsites

 
Fort Toulouse/Fort Jackson Park staff - Early Smith, Tom Goodman, Robert Demas and Ned Jenkins - began the process of repairing the barracks' walls inside the Fort Toulouse replica. The staff will apply "mud" (mixture of clay, moss and cement) to the walls.  After the mud dries, a plaster mix will be applied as a final coat. 

Directional signage on Hwy 20 (for westbound and eastbound traffic) have been installed near the entrance of Pond Spring, the General Joe Wheeler Home. Thank you to the Alabama Department of Transportation for their assistance in acquiring the signs. 


As part of Selma's Historic Pilgrimage,  Old Cahawba staff welcomed Plein Air artists to the park. 

Image :  Timothy Joe, an artist from Huntsville, captures a late nineteenth to early twentieth century school house at Old  Cahawba. 

Sponsored by the Selma-Dallas County Historic Preservation Society, Selma's Historic Pilgrimage began in 1976 as a way to share the city's variety of architectural styles and rich history. Old Cahawba is located in Orrville, 20 minutes from Selma. 


Linda Derry (center), Site Director of Old Cahawba, and Florence Young, Chair of The Cahaba Foundation, visited the Montgomery Chapter of the Colonial Dames where they met two great-great-granddaughter s of Governor Bibb, the man who founded Cahawba in 1819. Image: On the far left is Mrs. C.M.A. Rogers III (Tutter) and on the far right is Mrs. Weldon Williamson Doe III (Kappy).



The Freedom Rides Museum recently hosted Marina Leight, Vice President, Business Development and Government Solutions at Philips Lighting along with a group of individuals from Selma, Montgomery and Mobile who are interested in working on a project to connect historic African-American sites across the state with lights. Ms. Leight made a presentation to the group on how Philips Lighting has been working around the world using LED lighting solutions to beautify, enhance, and transform public spaces including the Martin Luther King statute in downtown Birmingham, the San Francisco Bay Bridge, and others. Those interested in learning more can visit  http://www.colorkinetics.com/Showcase/ 

Image: Black Heritage Council  Vice-Chair Elvin Lang, Freedom Rides Museum Site Director Dorothy Walker, Marina Leight, Attorney Felicia Pettway from Selma, and Carletta and Gregory Davis with the Coastal Community Council in Mobile.


The Freedom Rides Museum, Friends of the Freedom Rides Museum, and historic First Baptist Church hosted a documentary screening and discussion in February. Freedom Rider Dr. Rip Patton ( center ) discussed Rep. John Lewis, his experience in the Freedom Rides, and the group's commitment to nonviolence.


The  Alabama State Capitol hosted Music in the Rotunda, p erformances presented by the Alabama State Department of Education, the Alabama Music Educators Association, and the Alabama Institute for Education in the Arts.  Pictured is the Benjamin Russell HS Brass Ensemble.



AHC staff attended the Alabama Humanities Foundation's official opening of the Making Alabama: A Bicentennial Traveling Exhibit at the Alabama State Capitol.  Commissioner Steve Murray was a featured speaker. 

Lisa Franklin, Site Director of the Alabama State Capitol, worked with the Alabama Humanities Foundation to coordinate the set-up and opening of the exhibit.

The exhibit blends artistic collages, interactive computer tablets and an audio medley of song and spoken word to tell the story of Alabama - from becoming a territory to achieving statehood. 


Fort Morgan offers Guided Tours & Small Arms Demonstrations every Tuesday and Thursday until the month of May. 
Happenings Around the State  
April

April 14  -  The theme of the 2018 Durr Lecture is the lasting legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The featured lecturer is Dr. Cornel West, Professor of the Practice of Public Philosophy at Harvard University. The lecture will begin at  6:00pm at the  King Memorial Baptist Church ( 454 Dexter Ave, Montgomery, AL 36104 ) The lecture is free and open to the public.

April 14 - Alabama Historical Association Annual Meeting in Birmingham

April 21  - Part of the Tulotoma Snail Trail, this inaugural art trail event, sponsored by Main Street Wetumpka and The Kelly Fitzpatrick Memorial Gallery, will take you from art exhibits to museum tours, with Earth Day activities and children's art displays along the route! This one-day event will bring downtown Wetumpka to life through the celebration of community art, history and culture. Learn more here.  

April 21 - The Alabama Institute for Social Justice (AISJ) is proud to present a third event in its series of Racial Healing and Reconciliation Community Learning Forums. On Saturday, April 21, 2018, AISJ will present "Freedom Riders Panel: Road to Racial Justice and Equality," featuring three civil rights veterans who were Freedom Riders during a period of tremendous civil unrest in our country's history. You are invited to join from 6:00 - 7:30 PM at First Baptist Church of Greater Washington Park for a night of musical entertainment and discussions as we learn from Dr. Bernard LaFayette, Kredell Petway, and Dr. Rip Patton of their journeys as Freedom Riders. This event is free. Please register here. 

April 26-27 - The National Memorial for Peace and Justice and the Legacy Museum: From Enslavement to Mass Incarceration will open to the public.  The Equal Justice Initiative is hosting a series of events to celebrate the opening of the two new institutions. Learn more here.

May

May 12  - The 17th Annual Alabama Cemetery Preservation Workshop  will be held on in Farrah Hall, Room 214, University of Alabama at 570 University Blvd., Tuscaloosa, AL.
Registration will start at 8:30 a.m. The program will start at 9:00.  After lunch, the workshop will relocate to the historic, Evergreen Cemetery.  For more information click  here .  

June

June 20 -  Your Town ALABAMA will hold a special event celebrating the past 20 years. The celebration will be at Camp McDowell.  For additional information, visit the Your Town Alabama website.   
 
YEAR-ROUND
 
Interested in hosting Making Alabama, A Bicentennial Traveling Exhibit from the Alabama Humanities Foundation (AHF)?  As part of the Alabama Bicentennial celebration, Alabama counties and communities are invited to host the exhibition. To host the exhibit please apply here.  

For more information, contact AHF Director of Operations Laura Anderson at [email protected] or call (205) 558-3992.
Want to Share Your News and Events to a Statewide Audience?

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334-242-3184
 
468 South Perry Street
Montgomery, AL 36130-0900