The State of Alabama will celebrate its 200th birthday in 2019. Formed as a territory March 3, 1817, Alabama became the nation’s 22nd state on December 14, 1819. The mission of ALABAMA 200 is to support, create, and execute events and activities that commemorate the stories of our people, place, and path to statehood. The three year celebration that began in 2017 and will end in December 2019, is already in progress. Various events, including a traveling exhibition, are scheduled throughout the state, in all 67 counties.
The Alabama Bicentennial Commission is chaired by Senator Arthur Orr (District 3). Senator Orr solicited Patricia Ford to be a part of this historical event. Ford is the committee chairman for the Alabama 200 Bicentennial History on African American Contributions. Tony Smith has loved African American History since the fourth grade. Becoming Ford’s co-chairman was a great opportunity for him to help highlight African American contributions in North Alabama.
The official celebration for our area will begin either February or March 2019. Ford stated, “Our mission is to inform people of the beginnings, our middle passages to now.” Various activities will be held beginning in April. In December 2019, there will be a re-enactment of President Monroe signing the constitution in 1819.
The Wall of Remembrance project will honor slaves buried in unmarked graves during the 18th and 19th centuries. Smith mentioned that committee member Ollye Conley has a wealth of local history that dates back to 1819. Some of her information includes the names of the 3,000 slaves. The open circle portion of the monument will honor those slaves whose names are unknown. The wall will also have a space to reflect on some of Huntsville’s first, such as first African American doctor, church, student to integrate all-white school, musician, politician and so forth. Additionally, those who contributed to this project will be listed on the wall as well. This will be the only memorial in the region to celebrate the contribution slaves in Madison County. “This project will cost approximately $200,000. We are hoping that the community will contribute towards it,” Smith stated.
The committee has begun reaching out to the African American businesses owners or their legacies to participate in this celebration. Smith shared that Royal Funeral, who has been in business for 100 years, plan to participate. A special recognition will be made for each business.
Ford said she has been commissioned to develop a 100-200 page “coffee table” book that will be the result of the committee’s work. Each region of the state will be responsible for providing historical information to be included in this book. It is Ford’s hope that this book will be useful in schools and become part of the curriculum for the state. “This book will be a viable instrument for the students on the state level,” Ford stated. “I’m hoping that the State Superintendent will approve it.”
For the past eight years, Fred McCallum (President AT&T Alabama) has developed an African American History Calendar that highlights Alabamians. Ford shared that he will help get the coffee table book published.
Partnerships with Speakin’ Out News and WHNT Channel 19 will help document this historical event. A press conference will be held at the Municipal Building September 12, 2018, beginning at 10am, to discuss the upcoming activities.
Both Ford and Smith are alumnus of Alabama A&M University. After 48 years of service, Ford retired from Alabama A&M University in 2017, as the Director of the State Black Archives Research Center and Museum. Prior to this position, she served in various capacities. She was also employed at J.F. Drake Learning Resources Center in the area of Collections Development and as an Acquisition Librarian. Ford also served as the Interim Director of the Learning Resources Center and was very instrumental in its remodel and redesign. Smith is currently employed by Huntsville Utilities as the Underground Cable/Replacement/Restoration Coordinator. He is the owner of his own styling salon and has served on various boards throughout the city.
With the expertise and passion for African American history that both Ford and Smith possess, along with the help of their committee members, this will be a celebration to look forward to attending.
