I N S I D E :
Message from the Director
Archive of Alabama Folk Culture
Recent Acquisitions ALABAMA IN BRONZE FRIENDS OF THE ALABAMA ARCHIVES Newsletter “THE PARK” AT THE ARCHIVES continues to take shape, especially now that its Published quarterly in support of the centerpiece—a large bronze relief map of Alabama—is in place. This magnificent work Alabama Department of Archives and History arrived from New York on July 28 and now rests in front of the Archives and in view of the Capitol. Funded by an anonymous donor, the 12 x 18 ft. map was sculpted by Gregg 2006, Issue 3 LeFevre and Jennifer Andrews in LeFevre’s Manhattan studio. It shows the state’s rivers, interstate highway system, major cities, and other physical features, and includes 85 images reflecting different facets of Alabama history and culture. Visitors can walk on the map and explore its every detail, a unique advantage of this work of “public art.” According to landscape architect Mary Walton Percy, the map was designed to complement the Archives’ expansive front lawn and majestic building, both of which “express respect for the state and the importance of its history.” The map also serves to “introduce the historical themes of the Archives’ exhibits.” Furthermore, Mrs. Percy notes,
In a very appealing way, Gregg’s landscape art conveys a sense of history and a sense of place. And it creates a sense of community too. Visitors looking at the map start talking to each other, pointing out places and things, telling stories about their own family and their own history. People have fun learning and discovering and reminiscing. It’s a wonderful experience and a wonderful way to welcome visitors to the Archives.
Mrs. Percy has worked with the Archives for several years to transform the lawn into a park worthy of the Capitol Complex Master Plan developed in 1930 by the Olmsted Brothers firm. Installation of the map highlights not only her efforts, but also those of many others, including the students and historians who helped Archives staff members select the events, people, places, and themes illustrated on the map. Protective Life Right: Detail of bronze map showing section of north Alabama. Corporation and The Bankhead Foundation are joint sponsors for “The Park.” A set of Top: Workers install the bronze map (with a little help from a crane). Above: Mary Walton Percy shows two youngsters that it’s just fine to walk all benches, provided by the Legislative Club, will soon be installed, further enhancing this over this work of art. truly beautiful public space.
ARCHIVES RESTORES SATURDAY SERVICES The Archives is very pleased to announce the resumption of services each Saturday, starting in October. The legislature increased funding to the department in the 2006-2007 fiscal year, starting October 1, in part to restore some services eliminated in earlier state budget cuts. Starting October 7, 2006, the Research Room and Museum will be open each Saturday, 8:30 - 4:30. The building will remain closed on Sundays, and the Research Room is closed on Mondays. The department is also closed on all state holidays designated by legislation or by the Governor’s Office.
Normal hours will remain 8:30 - 4:30 on the following schedule: Monday: Museum and staff offices open Research Room closed Tuesday - Saturday: Museum, Research Room and staff offices open Sunday: Department closed
Remember to check the Archives website for the latest schedule, including information on state holidays: http://www.archives.alabama.gov/intro/hours.html. Message from ARCHIVE OF ALABAMA FOLK CULTURE The Archives recently entered the Director into a partnership with the Alabama Folklife Association (AFA) to create an Archive of Alabama Folk Culture. In 2004, the AFA approached the Archives with a proposal to establish a place for folklorists to store collections of photos, taped interviews, and musical performances, and for artists to donate collections of traditional music and crafts. The Archives readily agreed to be that place. Earlier this year, combining proceeds from the “Support the Arts” car tag fund with a grant from the National Endowment Ed Bridges for the Arts, the AFA hired folklife Folklife archivist Trey Bunn (right) poses with Alabama Community Scholars archivist Trey Bunn on an 18- Institute participants on a trip to the Coon Dog Cemetery in Colbert County. As we began this decade, the Archives was month appointment to set up this Photo courtesy of Shelia Limerick. suffering from the effects of years of a steady special archive. The grant also provides funds to purchase devices–some obsolete–needed to play various A erosion in its funding. We had lost almost half types of audio tapes, records, films, and other media. our staff as the state budgets passed through one crisis Trey, a recent graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Library and Information Science, after another. We had reached a point where the joined the Archives staff in April. Using his audio preservation experience, he has been busy acquiring remaining staff and the Board of Trustees were equipment and setting up a preservation studio. In the coming months, he will begin bringing folklife considering the elimination of major program elements. materials into the building, where they will be preserved and made available to researchers. Trey recently had the opportunity to attend the AFA Alabama Community Scholars Institute in Florence, For those who knew the great heritage of the where he learned more about Alabama folk culture and promoted the folk archive. Institute participants Archives, the crisis was particularly sad. Over the conducted oral history interviews with nearby folk artists and gave their recordings (along with decades, one generation of staff members after another accompanying photos, video, field notes, and logs) to Trey. The twelve interviews represent the first had labored to accumulate an incredibly rich collection collection added to the new Archive of Alabama Folk Culture. of manuscripts, government records, newspapers, books, photographs, maps, and all kinds of museum artifacts that tell the history of our state. The Archives RIVERS OF had pioneered in history education, and for generations it had been a destination for researchers CHANGE and for ordinary citizens who wanted to know more On July 25, the Archives hosted a about Alabama history. All these programs and services premiere showing of a new were squeezed by the continued cuts. documentary film, Rivers of Change: The Legacy of Five Unheralded Women In the face of these bleak prospects, the Board of in Montgomery and Their Struggle for Trustees and the Friends determined on a new course. Justice and Dignity. The film tells the The Archives had to push harder to let the people of story of Browder v. Gayle, the lawsuit Alabama know about its services and what it means to that ended segregation on our state. And we had to turn more to the private sector Montgomery city buses, and of the for help. women named in the landmark case. The Board of Trustees decided to set up a foundation Many of the individuals involved in to raise funds from the private sector. The Friends agreed the case attended, including lead 1 and provided key support to help get the foundation attorney and now Archives Board of established. We were incredibly fortunate in securing the Trustee member Fred Gray and help of a number of wonderful people in building the plaintiff Mary Louise Smith Ware. foundation. At the same time, we received approval by Granddaughters of plaintiff Claudette the legislature and then support by the governor for the Colvin were also on hand. State construction of a new west wing. Board of Education member Ella Bell introduced distinguished guests, As the construction of the wing proceeded, people including Johnnie Carr and Gwen could see the reality of improved facilities for preserving Patton. Filmmaker William Dickerson- our history and exciting opportunities for improved Waheed answered questions about the educational programs. Many private citizens and many film, stressing that the case was corporate leaders stepped forward to help. And with important because it ensured that the recent improvements in the state budget and the support Montgomery Bus Boycott was “more 2 3 of the governor and the legislature, we have actually than a bus ride.” begun to recover some of the positions lost over the Photos courtesy of Gwen Patton, 1) Ella Bell, Johnnie Carr, and Gwen Patton. previous fifteen years. Trenholm Tech Archives. 2) William Dickerson-Waheed. 3) Claudette Colvin’s granddaughters. The staff is working now on our operations plan for Fiscal Year 2007. In the new year we will be able to start expanding educational programs, complete the design COMPANY K Archives and History Foundation donors. for a major new exhibit, reopen the research room on In honor of Veteran’s Day, the Archives will Led by board chairman Archbishop Oscar Saturdays, and allocate more resources for cataloging present the Montgomery premiere of Lipscomb, the trustees conducted business and preserving the collections. Company K at noon on Thursday, November in the Regions Financial Corporation 9, in the Alabama Power Auditorium. Boardroom, and enjoyed refreshments and We hope each of you, as Friends of the Alabama Produced and directed by Birmingham native lunch in the adjoining Walter B. Jones Archives, will come visit us, look around, and share the Robert Clem, the film is based on the classic Training Room. excitement we feel about what the Archives can now do novel by Mobile author William March. For to preserve and promote Alabama history. The new more information about the film, visit facilities and the chance to rebuild some of the losses of www.companykthefilm.com. NEW WEB ADDRESS the last fifteen years make this a time of busy joy. We still FOR ARCHIVES have a lot yet to do. We have to raise almost $3 million REGIONS AND JONES ROOMS The Archives’ much-used website can now to build the exhibits, and we still need to improve our On August 9, at its quarterly meeting, the be accessed via a new, simpler address: staffing level. But the last two years have been an Archives Board of Trustees christened two www.archives.alabama.gov. exciting and constructive time for the Archives and for handsomely refurbished rooms on the Anyone using the old address will be Alabama history. We are deeply grateful to all of you building’s third floor, both endowed by automatically directed to the new one. who have helped make this new success possible. have you heard . Ed Bridges, Director Alabama Space & Rocket Center brochure, 1970s.
45 rpm recording of the 1966 hit “Mustang Sally” Volunteer by Wilson Pickett. Profile CARYLL CARRICK Caryll has been a volunteer at the Archives since 1998. She volunteers faithfully at the reception desk on Friday mornings, greeting each of the many visitors with a wonderful smile. Caryll rightly describes herself as a “people person,” and for this very reason she is often asked to help with special public programs and in the Friends Gift Shop. According to Genene Nelson, Volunteer Coordinator, “Caryll always goes above and beyond the call of duty and is consistently gracious to the public she serves as a volunteer—and she really makes us look good!” RECENT A retired registered nurse, Caryll and her family moved to Montgomery from Chicago in 1974. When not busy at the CQUISITIONS Archives, Caryll and her husband Ken, a volunteer docent with the A Archives, enjoy visiting their two grown children and five Archives Registrar Linda Overman reported 43 accessions from April through June 2006. grandchildren, who all live out of state. The acquisitions included records transferred from 15 state agencies as well as items In addition to her volunteer work, Caryll loves reading, working from private donors and purchases made possible with funds from the Friends. puzzles of all kinds, playing bridge, and attending meetings of the Republican Women. A FEW NOTABLE ACQUISITIONS WERE: • Two crystal wine decanters originally owned by Gov. Joshua Martin (served 1845-47) (pictured right). • Two upholstered folding chairs, 1879 (pictured below). • Research records and editorials of Cassius Crystal wine M. Stanley, newspaper editor in Birmingham decanter and Montgomery, 1930s-60s. belonging to • Gov. George Wallace photograph antebellum albums—public and family life. governor • Commercial building plans, Montgomery. Joshua Martin. • Mother’s “Crying Hankie,” United States Army, World War II. FACTS
FRIENDS OF THE ALABAMA ARCHIVES MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
Yes, I want to be a Friend. Please enter my membership with all benefits including a subscription to the FRIENDS FACTS newsletter, a 10% Gift Shop discount, and free or reduced admission to Archives-sponsored events. (Subscriber level members and above receive a 1-year subscription to Alabama Heritage magazine.) Above: Camp McClellan "Missing You" Membership fees are tax-deductible. postcard, 1918.