Protect, Preserve, & Interpret 
              Alabama's  Historic Places


468 S Perry St, Montgomery, AL 36104   ( 334) 230-2690
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.
December 1-22
The Wade Hall Traveling Postcard Exhibition will be on display. For more information c all  334-242-3188.
January 1-31
CollegeCounts Smart Art Contest. Learn more about the contest here. For more information c all  334-242-3188.
January 20
French & Indian and War of 1812 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
  












DECEMBER NEWS

Historic Tax Credit Evaluating Committee
 
The original Alabama Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit program, enacted in 2012 with an authorized total of $60 million in tax credits, expired in 2016.

During the 2017 session, the Alabama legislature passed H.B. 345 (and signed into law as Act 2017-380), which establishes a new state HTC program.



The Historic Tax Credit Evaluating Committee, established by Act No. 2017-380, Section 9 (a), held its first organizational meeting in December to elect officers and determine locations of future meetings.   The nine-member Committee, four of whom are legislators, will review qualifying projects and rank the applications based on criteria established by the AHC.

The Committee elected Senator Clyde Chambliss as Chairman; Nichelle Nix (Governor's Office of Minority Affairs) as Vice-Chair; and Lisa D. Jones (AHC Executive Director) as Secretary. 

Other members in attendance included Senator Bobby Singleton, Representative Victor Gaston, and Kenneth Boswell (ADECA Director).

Vernon Barnett (Commissioner of Revenue), Greg Canfield (Secretary of Commerce), and Clinton Carter (State Finance Director) were unable to attend and sent proxies. 

We are now accepting applications for the program.

The 2017 Alabama Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit is a 25% refundable tax credit available for private homeowners and owners of commercial properties who substantially rehabilitate historic properties that are listed in or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places and are 60 years old or older. The tax credit provides jobs, increases the tax base, and revitalizes existing buildings and infrastructure, while preserving and rehabilitating Alabama's historic properties. 

Owners must complete a three-part application process.  The AHC provides technical assistance on application procedures, appropriates rehabilitation work, and will visit properties as needed.  The AHC will recommend qualifying projects to the Historic Tax Credit Evaluating Committee and if the project is approved by the committee, the AHC will reserve a tax credit allocation for the project, as long as credits are available.  

To learn more about the new tax credit program visit  http://ahc.alabama.gov/alabamarehabtaxcredits.aspx  

For more information, contact Taylor Stewart at 334-230-2643 or  Taylor.Stewart@ahc.alabama.gov 
Federal News from the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers 
 
Tax Reform and the Historic Tax Credit:

Republican lawmakers announced that they had reached a deal on a plan to overhaul the tax code. At this point, it is unclear if that agreement includes the Senate language, which would change but preserve the historic tax credit. The House version of the bill would simply have eliminated the historic tax credit. The agreement, formally known as a conference report, is expected to be released later today and the House and Senate are expected to vote on it early next week.

With this week's announcement, it appears that President Trump and congressional leaders will follow through on their promise to complete a tax bill before Christmas 2017.

As noted above, the Senate version of the tax overhaul bill includes a provision that would preserve the historic tax credit. Although the Senate version would preserve the historic tax credit at 20 percent, it would require that the 20 percent credit be claimed "ratably over a five-year period beginning in the taxable year in which a qualified rehabilitated structure is placed in service." This would mean that those who qualify for the tax credit would receive 4 percent per year for five years rather than 20 percent for one year. The amendment eliminated the 10 percent tax credit for rehabilitation of buildings that were built before 1936 but are not listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) led the effort to preserve the historic tax credit.

NCSHPO is working with other organizations in the historic preservation community to preserve the historic tax credit. 

Read more news here
AHC Attends National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers' (NCSHPO) Board Meeting

Lisa D. Jones, AHC Executive Director & State Historic Preservation Officer, and Lee Anne Wofford, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer, attended  the NCSHPO board meeting in Chicago. 

In 2017, Mrs. Jones, was elected to serve on the  National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers (NCSHPO) Board of Directors. Each officer is chosen by the member States. 

NCSHPO board meetings are both a necessary exercise where members address important issues and also an opportunity for State Historic Preservation Officers (SHPOs) from throughout the country to meet with each other. Board meetings offer a chance for SHPO's to discuss similar challenges they face and to hear updates from our national partners such as the National Park Service, Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, the Civil War Trust, National Alliance of Preservation Commissions, and others.  The meetings also provide an opportunity for board members to see interesting Section 106 and tax credit projects, as well as unique regional architecture.  

These SHPOs are very excited about the work they do and are passionate about preserving the places that tell the story of America. 


SHPOs enjoyed a tour of the  Ford House, c. 1949 (Bruce Goff, architect) in  Aurora, Illinois 



SHPOs also enjoyed visiting the Gridley House, c. 1906 (Frank Lloyd Wright, architect) in Batavia, Illinois 
Alabama Public Television's New Learning Adventure

Check out this wonderful learning opportunity available from  Alabama Public Television! This Learning Adventure, part of which was filmed at  Old Cahawba (a historic site of the  Alabama Historical Commission), began streaming live on November 30th!

Archaeology Adventures focuses on Alabama pre-history and history through the lens of archaeology. Students will observe archaeologists on excavations, interview historians and visit historic sites-such as Moundville, The Poarch Band of Creek Indians Archives, Old Mobile and Old Cahawba archaeological sites-as they learn about Native American societies, early settlers, and early Alabama statehood.

You can learn more and sign up here!

Linda Derry (far left), Site Director of Old Cahawba, participated in the live launch. There were 194,357 students registered to participate in the live event.
Brantwood Children's Home Added to Alabama Register

The Brantwood Children's Home, constructed in 1928, was listed in the Alabama Register of Landmarks & Heritage in November 2017. AHC staff presented the official certificate. 

The Brantwood Children's Home site includes several outbuildings such as  a school building with four classrooms (2002), a cottage (1990), and case worker building (1944).

In 1917, children in Montgomery received care from the county jail when their mothers were arrested. Children were also placed in the county jail as a way to escape chaotic family situations. 

Out of concern over this situation, Montgomery's first juvenile court officer, Mrs. Laura J. Stern, requested the help of Mrs. J. Brevard jones, President of the Federation of Women's Club. Under Mrs. Jones' direction, a committee presented a plan for the care of 12 children who were at that time in the county jail. With the support of Mrs. W.B. Cobbs of the State Welfare Department, they organized the Children's Protective Association and raised funds to rent the old Stern home (the present Brantwood site) and hire a matron. Mrs. Carrie M. Jenkins was hired to care for the children.

In 1928 the old Stern home was torn down and construction began by Hugger Brothers on the present day home now known as Brantwood. The building was a gift of the Arthur Pelzer family in memory of their granddaughter, Eva Pelzer Doe. In 1966 the home was christened Brantwood by the Board of Trustees to honor Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Pelzer, whose summer home in North Carolina was also called Brantwood. 

Gerald Jones, Executive Director of the Brantwood Children's Home, was presented with the official certificate denoting  Brantwood's  listing in the Alabama Register. 

AHC staff (left to right): Clara Nobles, Assistant Executive Director; Stacye Hathorn, State Archaeologist; Crystal Sanders, Payroll Clerk; Lisa D. Jones, Executive Director; and Lee Anne Wofford, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer
Places in Peril Program

Places in Peril, a joint program of the Alabama Trust for Historic
 Preservation and the Alabama Historical Commission, annually recognizes Alabama's most endangered historic resources. 

Each submission will be evaluated for its significance and threat. Please provide clear photographs of the site. Nominations will not be considered without at least one visual representation. Deadline for nominations: March 30, 2018.

Download a nomination form at http://ahc.alabama.gov/placesinperil.aspx 
National Park Service Technical Preservation Services News

The National Park Service is pleased to announce the issuance of their latest Preservation Brief, entitled Lightning Protection for Historic Structures. It was written by Charles E. Fisher, who recently retired from the Technical Preservation Services office after a long and distinguished 42-year career. 

The 50th Preservation Brief deals with an important historic preservation consideration in many parts of the country where lightning may pose a risk to historic buildings. The information will be of interest to the varied audience involved in the preservation and rehabilitation of historic buildings, particularly since little has been written on lightning protection for historic structures. This brief provides a short history of lightning protection; provides information on appropriate maintenance and repair of historic lightning protection; includes guidance on integrating old and new systems; and covers special consideration when installing new systems on historic buildings. 

This brief can be found in pdf format on the NPS website at https://www.nps.gov/tps/how-to-preserve/briefs/50-lightning-protection.htm  and is also available in print form from the Government Printing Office at https://bookstore.gpo.gov/  where you can also find other printed publications of Technical Preservation Services that are offered for sale. 
Black Heritage Council Updates


BHC Chair Frazine Taylor and Vice Chair Elvin Lang volunteered during the Montgomery County Bicentennial event at the former Madison Park School in Montgomery County in December.

The event, sponsored by the Montgomery County Historical Society with support from the Black Heritage Council, City of Montgomery and Montgomery County is one in a series of "Roadshows" being held in various communities across the county to gather oral history, pictures, documents, etc. from residents in commemoration of the Montgomery County Bicentennial. 
Representatives from the Black Heritage Council and the Georgia Washington School alumni attended the Alabama Register Review Board meeting along with Alabama Representative Thad McClammy
Where in the State are AHC Staff?

AHC enjoyed a staff Christmas party in Montgomery
Heather Tassin, Site Director of Fort Morgan, and Dylan Tucker, Cultural Resource Specialist, participated in the  2017 Alabama Welcome Center Retreat


Laura Murray, author of Amazing Alabama, and Lisa D. Jones, AHC Executive Director at Goat Hill Museum Store's Holiday Open House























AHC staff attended the Alabama Communities of Excellence meeting in Boaz


Stacye Hathorn, State Archaeologist; Amanda McBride; Section 106 Program Head; Chris Kinder,  ALDOT Liaison/Architectural Historian; Will Lowe,  Senior Archaeologist; and Eric Sipes,  Senior Archaeologist, attended a training session hosted by the Alabama Department of Transportation regarding Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act of 1966. 


Dorothy Walker, Site Director of the Freedom Rides Museum, pictured with Freedom Riders Dr. Bernard Lafayette and Dr. Rip Patton, attended the luncheon sponsored by Facing History and Ourselves


Dorothy Walker, Site Director of the Freedom Rides Museum, along with Black Heritage Council Member Louretta Wimberly attended Second Missionary Baptist Church's historical marker unveiling. The church was listed in the Alabama Register in March 2016 for its significance as the site of many mass meetings during the voting rights struggle in the 1960s.
 
 
Happenings at #AHCsites

Freedom Rider Dr. Rip Patton spoke to members of the Facing History and Ourselves group at the Freedom Rides Museum 





Thank you to the Radiance Garden Club, Hill and Dale Garden Club, Brookmeade Garden Club, and the Morgan County Master Gardeners for all of your help decorating Pond Spring, the General Joe Wheeler Home for the annual Christmas Celebration



















Belle Mont was decked out for Plantation Christmas. Visitors enjoyed  refreshments, music, traditional decorations, and volunteers wearing period style clothing. Image courtesy of Mary Carton.




Fendall Hall held a beautiful Christmas Brunch and Open House




Gaineswood held their annual Christmas on the River events, including the Candlelight tour 











Thank you to Historic Blakeley State Park for hosting the December tours of Bottle Creek! Dr. Greg Waselkov,  Professor of Anthropology and Director of the Center for Archaeological Studies at the University of South Alabama, led the tours.


Fort Morgan held Holidays at the Fort and a gift shop open house


2017 Christmas Tree Lighting at the Alabama State Capitol

Some of the vendors from the Goat Hill Museum Store's Holiday Open House: 
(Left to right) Stacy Lyn Harris, cookbook author; Robert Kane, author; Emily Blejwas, author; and Alabama Higher Education Partnership

The Alabama Historical Commission hosted a presentation on the Wade Hall Traveling Postcard Exhibition in the Old Supreme Court Library located inside the Alabama State Capitol. 

Ruth Elder, the main researcher and writer for the display, along with Jerry Johnson, designer of the physical and digital exhibits, were the guest speakers. They discussed Dr. Hall's collection of over 25,000 vintage postcards, the creation of the exhibition, and shared stories of the Alabama represented in these historic postcards.
Happenings Around the State  
DECEMBER

December 15 Deadline to nominate large and small projects for Digital History Award, Alabama Historical Association (download nomination form here)   

JANUARY 2018

January 186th Annual Preservation Roundtable & Luncheon, Alabama Trust for Historic Preservation. Please forward suggested topics of interest to alabamatrust@athp.org  
 
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 at  www.makingalabama.org/contact-us/.  

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

Send news and event information to the Alabama Historical Commission.

Email submissions  to jacqulyn.kirkland@ahc.alabama.gov .  
Please mark as "Attention: E-News."

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