Since 1999, the Black Heritage Council has hosted Community Preservation Forums in cities and towns across the state to focus attention on the preservation of African American historic places in those areas.

The AHC is administering a $300,000 state-funded Grant Program for capital improvements at historic sites throughout  Alabama. The time to submit applications has passed.

The AHC received over 100 applications requesting more than $4 million. 

Grants will be awarded to historical skills centers, cultural heritage parks, sites, commissions, boards, agencies, authorities, any historic school structure, or any publicly-owned battlefield or structure constructed prior to 1840 that is on the  National Register of Historic Places . Grants will be awarded to entities that reflect an education-based mission, concentrate on educational programming, and reflect the geographical diversity of the state. Grant amounts will not exceed $50,000 for any one entity.

The Alabama Historical Commission held its quarterly meeting in Eufaula at Fendall Hall, a historic property of the AHC. The twenty-two member board enjoys visiting and conducting meetings at various sites throughout the year. 

 
Several members of the Friends of Fendall Hall were present for the meeting including Board President Ed Garrison and Fendall Hall Site Director, Lindsey Dudeck.

The next meeting of the AHC will be held in Wetumpka at Fort Toulouse, also a historic property of the AHC, on November 4 before the celebration of the site's 300th Anniversary.

The ACHP - Advisory Council on Historic Preservation is pleased to announce the availability of a new suite of online courses designed to provide historic preservation professionals and stakeholders with training in the use of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act to protect historic properties.

Two of the new courses cover integration and coordination of Section 106 reviews with the National Environmental Policy Act review process, which is of particular importance as policy makers at all levels of government search for new ways to create efficiencies in regulatory processes and advance infrastructure projects.

The course catalog also includes a FREE online course, "What is Section 106?" Designed for the general public, it provides a broad overview of the Section 106 review process and the opportunities for the public to play a role in such reviews.

Learn more at http://www.achp.gov/elearning.html

Stay up-to-date on the Alabama Historical Commission's Section 106 Program at http://ahc.alabama.gov/section106.aspx

The following properties were added to the Alabama Register in August 2017:

Pike County, Tuskegee Army Airfield Hangar at Troy Municipal Airport  is one of only three documented surviving buildings associated with the Tuskegee Army Airfield, the secondary flight training facility for the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II. 

Macon County, The Fort Davis Railroad Depot served as the cornerstone of the local community for over 100 years. The Seaboard Savannah-Americus Railroad depot at Fort Davis was built in 1904 to replace the 1892 depot that was destroyed by fire. The Depot was in operation from 1904 until 1975, when the depot was deeded by CSX Railroad (the successor of the Seaboard Savannah-Americus Railroad). This railroad ran from east to west from Savannah to Montgomery.

 

For years, the railroad was the center of the community. People would gather every morning and wait for the train to arrive with the mail. There was also a passenger train in the morning and again in the afternoon. During WWII the depot was utilized for transporting soldiers who were traveling to either Montgomery or Savannah to leave for their tour of duty. The train station also served white and African-American passengers, but the waiting area was segregated. Integration occurred during the early 1960's, but by this time there were no longer any passenger trains stopping at the Fort Davis Depot.

 

The Depot closed in 1975 and the land was deeded to Fort Davis, but trains still ran through the town until August 18, 1986. The tracks were removed in the winter of 1988 leaving only the railroad bed and the depot, which has recently fallen into a state of disrepair. The Fort Davis Historical Group is actively trying to save the Depot and restore it. It was included in the 2017 Places in Peril list.

Cherokee County, The Jordan Big Store is located on property where the Alabama House Hotel once stood.

 

Jeff Jordan, born in Cherokee County in 1861, was a farmer whose family originated from South Carolina. He married Josephine Newberry in 1886 and opened a small store in Bomar in 1890. Jeff Jordan continued to farm in addition to operating the store. Three years later he moved his business to the Noah community where he was the only merchant in town and also served as the postmaster.

 

Construction of the new large store began in 1920 and the store opened in November 1921. The Jeff D. Jordan & Company, the largest store in the county, had three floors, including the basement. A wide, grand staircase led from the main floor to the second floor. A variety of general goods and farming merchandise were available for purchase. Also, furniture, clothing, caskets, fertilizer, gasoline, kerosene, livestock, and grocery items were offered. 

 

After the building was put up for auction it was purchased by the Cherokee County Commission on June 18, 1983. In 1987 the Cherokee County Historical Museum opened in the building where it continues to this day.

The Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage is an official listing of buildings, sites, structures, objects, and districts worthy of preservation. These properties may be of national, state, and local significance. The designation is honorary and carries no restrictions or financial incentives. The Alabama Historical Commission created the Alabama Register to provide the public with a quick and easy way to document and recognize historic places, such as houses, schools, churches, and commercial buildings that are at least 40 years old. 

For more information about the Alabama Register please contact Hannah Garmon at 334-230-2644 or hannah.garmon@ahc.alabama.gov. 

 

On September 14-17, Demopolis will celebrate its 200th with a Bicentennial Pilgrimage and Gala. Kick off the weekend at Gaineswood with a reception beginning at 7:00 pm. At 7:30 pm guests are invited to adjourn to the drawing room to enjoy a short theatrical drama of the history of Marengo County, Demopolis, the Whitfield family, and Gaineswood presented by the Gaineswood Belles & Beaux.

Please note that Gaineswood's hours of operation are changing slightly.

The new hours of operation will now be 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, Tuesday through Saturday. They will be closed on Sunday and Monday except by special appointment or for special Gaineswood events. 

For questions, or to arrange a special or group tour, please call (334) 289-4846.

	Mr. Lang receiving the award from Dr. Valda Harris Montgomery, President, Patrons of the National Center