Bicentennial

Guide

AlabamaBicentennialCelebration:ALABAMA200

Whatisthebicentennial?

• Alabamabecamethenation’stwenty-secondstateonDecember14,1819.ALABAMA200isathree-yearcelebrationofstatehoodandourhistory.

• BetweenJanuary2017andDecember2019,Alabamiansalloverthestateandbeyondwillcreateandtakepartineducationalandenrichingopportunitiestodiscover,explore,preserve,andsharethosestories.

• TheofficiallaunchwillbeheldinMobilein2017.• Mission:ThemissionofALABAMA200istosupport,create,andexecute

eventsandactivitiesthatcommemoratethestoriesofourpeople,placeandpathtostatehood.Between2017and2019,ALABAMA200willengageresidentsandvisitorsineducationalprograms,communityactivities,andstatewideinitiativesthatteach,inspire,andentertain.

• Vision:ALABAMA200isanunprecedentedopportunitytoexperienceandexplorethestateofAlabama.Itisachancetocelebrateourplaceineachofthe67countiesthatstretchfromtheShoalstotheshores.Itisamomenttorememberthepeoplewhomadeourstateandtonurturethegenerationswhowillcarryusforward.Itisanopportunitytochartavibrant,prosperousfutureforthestatewithhistoryasourguide.

ProjectsofALABAMA200:

• Theprojectsservetheentirestate,localcommunities,andschools.Moreinformation—andadditionalprojects—willbeaddedoverthenextfewmonths.Pleasecheckbackoften.

• AlabamaBicentennialEducationo AlabamaBicentennialEducationwillfocusonthreemajorareasto

supportthevisionandoutcomesforthebicentennial:developingnewandsupportingexistingcurricularresources,professionaldevelopmentforclassroomteachers,andsupportingschoolprojectsforpublic,private,andhomeschoolstudents.

• AlabamaFamilyHistoryandHeritageProjecto Focusingoncollecting,digitizing,andpreservinggenealogyresources,

AFHHPinpartnershipwiththeAlabamaDepartmentofArchives&Historywillmaketheseresourcesavailabletoall.Anotherpriorityistoprovideworkshopsonfamilyresearch,thefastestgrowinghobbyintheUnitedStates.

• AlabamaPastPortProjecto TheAlabamaPastPortProjectisaguidetothepeople,places,and

eventsinAlabamarepresentedbyhistoricsites,stateparks,museums,naturalhistorycenters,andotherdestinations.APP’sengagingprintedpassportissupportedbyarobustdigitalappthatprovidesmoreinformation.

• MakingAlabama:ABicentennialTravelingExhibito SpearheadedbytheAlabamaHumanitiesFoundation,thestate

affiliateoftheNationalEndowmentfortheHumanities,thistravelingexhibitiononAlabamahistory,culture,andgeographywilltraveltoeveryoneofAlabama’s67counties.

Purposeofcommitteesandhowtoestablishone:

• AbicentennialcommitteecanhelporganizeeffortsandensuresuccessingettingyourcommunityandtheBicentennialconnected.

• Lookforanalreadyestablishedcommitteeinyourareaathttp://www.alabama200.org/contact-us/get-involved/local-committee/

• Ifthereisn’tone,contactthemforresourcestogetyourcommunityinvolved• Encourageanyoneandeveryonetogetinvolved,includingcityandcounty

governmentofficials,chamberofcommerce,publiclibrary,schoolsandschoolboards,businesses,communitycenters(eventvenues,youthprograms,seniorprograms)orhistoricalandculturalcommunityorganizations.

Howtosendinaresolution:

• MakeyournewlyformedcommitteeofficialbyadoptingtheALABAMA200resolutionhttp://www.alabama200.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/ALABAMA200-Resolution.pdf

• Includethefollowinginformationo Contactpersonandcontactinformationo Listofcommitteemembers(ifavailable)o Physicalmailingaddressandemailaddresso Requestsforadditionalinformation,materialsorassistancethatwill

helpplaceforbicentennialeventsandprojects.• Mailoremailacopyofyourresolutionandadditionalinformationto

Debra.Pascal@bicentennial.alabama.govormailittotheaddressattheendofthispacket,withattn.:DebraPascal.

TipsonformingBicentennialevents:• Between2017and2019,celebrations,festivals,exhibitions,and

performanceswilltakeplaceineverycornerofthestate• ALABAMA200projectsandeventswilloffersomethingforeveryone.

Some—suchastravelingexhibits,teachertraining,andtheAlabamaFamilyHistoryandHeritageProject—arealreadyindevelopment.Youcanbringotherstolife.Encourageyourcitytothinkaboutwhatitmightdo.Reachouttoorganizations,businesses,andschools.Talkwithfriendsandfamily.

• Thebicentenniallastsforthreeyears,withathemeforeachyear.Usethethemes(2017-ExploreOurPlaces,2018-HonorOurPeople,2019-ShareOurStories)asinspirationforconnectingeventsinyourcommunitywiththebicentennial.

• Thisisagreattimetostartanewevent;however,ifafestival,fair,play,orothereventisalreadyatradition,perhapsitcantakeonabicentennialfocusforayearortwo.

Stillconfusedorunsure?Attendaninformationsession!

• ALABAMA200informationsessionsbringthewho,what,when,where,andwhyofthebicentennialtoyou.Eachsessionoffersanoverviewofstatewideplansaswellasinformationaboutnextstepsinyourcommunity.

• What’sthepurposeoftheinformationsession?Learnabout…o ALABAMA200overview,goals,objectivesandtimelineo ALABAMA200projectsandresourceso Howtoformlocalcommitteesandusetheresolutiono Howtocreatebicentennialprojects,initiativesandcommemorationso Howtoputa“bicentennialtwist”onexistingprojects,initiativesand

commemorationso Howtofindfunding,supportandotherresources

• Whoshouldattend?o Projectpartners,fundersandresourceproviderso Anyoneinterestedinlearningaboutorparticipatinginthe

bicentennial,suchas§ Representativesofhistory,heritageorartsgroups§ Publiclibraries§ Schoolsandschoolboards§ Civic,socialandserviceorganizations§ Cityandcountygovernments§ Mediaandlocalbusinesses

• Tobookandscheduleasession,contacttheAlabamaBicentennialCommissionoffice.

• Staffdirectory:http://www.alabama200.org/leadership-2/meet-the-commission/

Contact:

AlabamaBicentennialCommissioninfo@bicentennial.alabama.gov(334)242-4537P.O.Box246Montgomery,AL36103

Followalongonsocialmedia

Facebook:Alabama200Twitter:@al200Instagram:@al200officialPinterest:Alabama200LinkedIn:AlabamaBicentennialCommission

SignupforthenewslettertostayupdatedonALABAMA200viathewebsitealabama200.org.

ALABAMA200communitygrantswillbeofficiallyannouncedonFriday,March3

WhoiseligibleforanALABAMA200grant?Officialbicentennialcommitteesworkinginconjunctionwiththeircityand/or

countygovernment

Whattypesofprojectswillbeconsideredforfunding?Projectideascanfallintomayacceptablecategoriessuchas:historical,educational,

culturalandrecreational.Examplesincludefairsandfestivals,toursofhistoric

homes,cemeterysurveys,concerts,theatricalproductions,communitygardensand

farmers’markets,exhibitionsandoralhistoryandpublicationprojects.

AreexistingcommunityeventseligibleforanALABAMA200grant?Yes.Ifyoualreadyexecuteasuccessfuleventorprogram,giveitabicentennialtwist

orALABAMA200branding.

Whatcriteriamusttheprojectmeet?• Openandaccessibletothepublic

• RelevanttoAlabamaandthestate’sbicentennial

• Culturallyinclusive

• Celebratory

WhoisexcludedfromreceivinganALABAMA200grant?• Individuals(ex.Candidatesforpublicoffice)

• For-profitventures

• Politicalorganizations

Ifourprojectqualifiesforfunding,whatreportingwillbeexpected?• Projectoverview

• Financialoverview

• Photosorvideoofcompletedproject

RegionalCommunityWorkshopsThepurposeoftheregionalcommunityworkshopsistoconvenelocalpeople

acrossthestatewhohavepreviouslyshownavestedinterestinmanaging,executing,orsupportingprogramsandeventsuniquetothebicentennial.Toshareresourcesandmaterials,toprovideaccesstocommunityandindustryexperts,topromptideasharingandcollaborativeeffortsacrosscountylines,anddevelopmarketingandpromotionalplans.

ALABAMA200isrequestingyourhelpwithsecuringhostdestinations,facilities,services,prospectivedates,guestlists,andpromotionalmaterialsandmediaforapproximatelytwelveone-dayworkshopsheldfromAprilthroughSeptember2017.

ALABAMA200staffhasdeterminedthefollowingspecificationsforhostingaregionalworkshop.However,theyrecognizecircumstances,resourcesandopportunitiescanvaryamongdifferentvenuesandencouragesthelocalexpertiseandcreativitywhenplanning.Theywantthistobeacollaborativeeffortandwouldliketoworktogetherinplanning.

• Organizationsinterestedinhostingshouldprovideavailabledatesfor

meetingspaces.• Hostorganizationswillbeaskedtohelpcoordinatewithlocalcommunity

partners,sharemediacontactsanddisseminatepromotionalmaterialspriortotheworkshop.

• Hostorganizationsshouldhaveaccesstosufficientfacilitiesandresources(meetingfacilities,cateringandtechnologyservices)toaccommodatethepre-registerednumberofattendees,alongwithstaff,partnersandguests.Thisincludes:

o MeetingFacilities:Informationastomeetingroomavailability,breakoutroomsorspaces,anddiningfacilities,aswellasdetailsregardingthenumberofattendeeseachroomcanaccommodate.

§ Generalsessionseatingfor100(dependingonlocation),AV/IT,includingadequatesoundsystem,lightingandInternet.

§ Upto3concurrentbreakoutsessionand/ormeetingroomsthatwillaccommodategroupsrangingfrom20-50people.

§ Spaceforallparticipantsandgueststoenjoylunch.§ Registrationarea:Spacefortwo8-foodtablesorequivalent

counterspace.AbilitytoconnecttotheInternet.o Catering:Hostorganizationswillbeaskedtoprovidedetailedcost

informationforfoodandbeverage(basedonperperson)for75-100(orasuitablealternative,whereaspeakercanpresentduringameal).Cateringestimatesshouldincludethecostsfortwocoffee/tea/waterservices,onecontinentalbreakfast/lightsnacks,andonelunch.

o Technology:HostorganizationswillbeaskedtocoordinatewiththeALABAMA200stafftodevelopalistofnecessaryaudio-visualequipmentavailableandcostestimatesorcomplimentaryitemsforprojectors,microphones,screens,podiums,andsoundsystems.

HistoricMarker:MoundvilleArchaeologicalPark

Called“TheBigAppleofthe14thCentury”byNationalGeographic,MoundvilleArchaeologicalParkwasoncethesiteofapowerfulprehistoriccommunitythat,atitspeak,wasAmerica’slargestcitynorthofMexico.LocatedontheBlackWarriorRiveratMoundville,Alabama,theparkpreserves326acreswhere,800yearsago,MississippianIndiansconstructed28massiveflat-toppedearthenpyramids,arrangedcarefullyaroundavastcentralplaza.Themoundsservedaselevatedplatformsforcivicandceremonialstructuresandthehomesofnobles.

Beginyourvisitbyviewingtheshortfilmattheparkentrancebuildingthatexplainstheremarkablehistoryofthissite.Throughoutthegrounds,youwillfindinterpretativepanelsthatprovidedetailsaboutthedifferentsites.Theparkhasamuseumthatcombinesthelatesttechnologywithmorethan200stunningartifactstodescribeoneofthemostsignificantNativeAmericanarchaeologicalsitesintheUnitedStates.Visitorswillfindlife-sizefiguresdisplayingtheclothingandjewelryofMississippiancultures,ceremonialfeatherdecorationshand-sewnbyNative-Americanartists,stunningpotteryandotherartworksplacedindisplaycasesthatlightupwhenrecordednarrativestalkaboutthem.Theparkalsohasa1⁄2-milenaturetrailthatwindsthroughscenicold-growthhardwoodforests.Inaddition,theparkofferspicnicareas,greatviewsoftheBlackWarriorRiver,andacampground.TheMoundvilleArchaeologicalParkisafeaturedWestAlabamabirdingsiteontheAlabamaBirdingTrailssystemoftrails.Amenities:Parking,restrooms,camping,picnic,trail,food,giftstoreParkHours:9a.m.-duskMuseumhours:9a.m.-5p.m.Fee:Adults$8,seniors$7,studentsandchildren$6,under5free,NativeAmericans(withtribalmembershipcard)free13075MoundvilleArchaeologicalParkMoundville,Al35474(205)371-2234http://moundville.ua.edu/

OtherExamplesofHistoricMarkers

Historical/CulturalFestival:BlackBeltRootsFestival

Thisuniquecelebrationbringstogethercraftpeople,musicians,dancers,storytellers,foodspecialists,artistsandcommunityworkers-allofwhomareconsideredbearersofthetraditionsandfolkwaysoftheWestAlabamaregion.August26and27,2017 www.alblackbeltheritage.org (205)372-0525

CommunityHistoryWrite-Up:Tuscaloosa

Thiswrite-upaboutthehistoryofTuscaloosatouchesonthepeople,placesandstoriesofthecommunity.

TuscaloosaismuchmorethanitsSaturdaytraditionsandgridironaction.Thecityisbuiltonahistoryofprogressandgrowththatprecedesitsathleticexcellence.TuscaloosawasfoundedonDecember3,1819andwasnamedforthechieftainofaMuskogean-speakingpeople.ChiefTuskaloosa(whichmeans“BlackWarrior),andhispeopleweredefeatedbyHernandoDeSotoattheBattleofMabilain1540.Tuscaloosa’sfirstpermanentsettlerswereThomasYorkandhisfamily,whosettledalongtheBlackWarriorRiverin1816.W.M.Nicholsdesignedanewstatecapitolbuilding,whichheldthefirstsessionoflegislaturein1829.TheUniversityofAlabamawasestablishedsoonafterin1831.DuringthelastweeksoftheCivilWar,abrigadeofUniontroopsledbyGeneralJohnT.Croxton,raidedthecityandburnedthecampusoftheuniversity.Onlyfourofthebuildingsweresavedandstillstandtoday:MaxwellHall,TheLittleRoundHouse,TheGorgasHouseandthePresident’sMansion. Tuscaloosahastraditionallybeenknownasthe“DruidCity”becauseofthenumerouswateroaksplantedinitsdowntownstreetsinthe1840s.Sinceservingasthecapitalcityfrom1826to1846,ithasbeentheregionalcenterofindustry,commerce,healthcareandeducationforWestAlabama.Tuscaloosaishometoavastarrayofremarkablesightsthatareknownonlyinsideitsbounds.Withhundredsofrestaurants,activities,museumsandparks,ithasmanagedtobecomeoneofAlabama’smostprogressivecities.Visitorscometoenjoytherefreshingatmosphere,historicfeaturesandbustlingnightlifethatTuscaloosahastooffer.Withitsgreatenergyandeyesonthefuture,Tuscaloosacontinuestothriveonbeingyouroneandonly.

ActivityIdeas

1. Re-enactlivinghistoryormusic(periodmusicand/ordanceinstruction)2. Homecomingevents3. Holdapublicdiscussiononthehistoryofyourtownasafuncoffeehour4. Describewhatyouwantandwhatshouldbeonahistoricmarker5. HostamoviescreeningofamovierelevanttoyourcommunityorAlabamaas

awhole6. Collecthistoricphotosandthenhaveanartgalleryshowingofthem7. Holdapublicpoetryorstoryreadingforcommunitymemberstosharetheir

creativeinterpretationsaboutthepast8. Organizeacollectionofstoriesandmemoriesofolderresidentsinwritten

formanddistribute9. Hostadinnerorpotluckwithhistoricallysignificantrecipes,passeddown

fromgenerations10. Playtriviawithhistoricfacts11. Hostacommunity-widedayofservicetospruceuphistoricalplacesinyour

areawithlandscaping,signage,etc.12. Readabookonalocalpersonorhistoryasacommunity13. Inapopular,centrallocation,setupalargetimelinetoshowthingslikehow

yourcountyorcommunitycametobe,howitgrew,whateventshappenedwhen,etc.

14. Developabrochureonyourcommunityanditshistory15. Thinkofeventsyourcommunityalreadyorganizesandincorporatehistory

(oftheeventorofyourcommunity)ortheBicentennial(Alabamahistory)intoit

16. Specialexhibitsbylocalcommunitygroups17. Createahistoricaltourforpeople,mappingoutdifferentlandmarksand

givingasmuchdetailaspossible(timing,distances,blurbsaboutthelandmarks).Createaflierorbrochurewiththeinformationsofamiliesandresidentscangoonthetourwhenitworksforthem

18. Hostablockpartyforaneighborhood/town/community19. Plantacommunitygardenortreesinparksorschoolsaroundtown20. Createatimecapsuletobeopenedonthestate’s300thbirthday

SchoolIdeas

1. Collectingoralhistoriesfromyourcommunity:Highschoolorcollegestudentshostoralhistoryrecordingsessionsatlocallibraryofgrandparentsanduploadthecontenttoawebsiteportaltobeshared

2. Createalocaltimelineforeducatorstouseinschools3. HavethebandperformanAlabama-themedprogram4. Takeafieldtriptoahistoricsiteinyourcounty5. HavestudentsstudyandreportontheNativeAmericantribesofAlabama6. CreatePTAprogramsfeaturing4thgradeAlabamaHistoryclasses7. Hostanessaycompetitionwiththeprompt“WhatAlabamaMeanstoMe”

WhatToAddToYourWebsite

• Photographs• Timelineofcountyevents• Videos• Articlesandmediafrompastnewspapers,newschannels,magazinesorbooks• Bicentennialeventsandinformation• Interviewswithlongtimeresidents• Graphicsoncommunityhistory

HistoricPlacesInventoryTemplate

Category Name Address Phone Website Hours Tours? Admission Description

HistoricPeopleInventoryTemplate

Category Name Living? ContactInfo Location Description

Theseinventoriescanbehandwritten.However,ifyouaredoingthemonacomputer,IwouldrecommendusingExcelratherthanWord.Wordwasusedintheseexamplestobeabletoshowthesuggestedheadingsandcategorieseasier.