SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Huntsville officially launched Historic Preservation Month on Thursday with a renewed commitment to honoring the region’s Indigenous history and preserving the culturally significant landscapes that existed long before the city was founded.
Held at the historic Big Spring in downtown Huntsville, the kickoff event centered on this year’s national theme, “Telling the Full Story of America,” with local leaders, historians and Indigenous representatives emphasizing the importance of recognizing Native voices and histories that have often been overlooked.
“When people think of Indigenous people, they think of us in the past tense,” said Brice McGhee of the Poarch Creek Band of Indians. “Indigenous people are not relics … we’re still here.”
Mayor Tommy Battle said Historic Preservation Month is about more than protecting old places — it’s about understanding the people and cultures connected to them.
“The landscapes we’re highlighting this month have been meaningful for centuries,” Battle said. “Historic preservation isn’t about freezing time. It’s about understanding where we come from, honoring those who came before us and ensuring these places remain accessible and relevant for future generations.
“When we tell the fuller story, we become a stronger, more connected city.”
Observed nationwide each May, Historic Preservation Month raises awareness about historic places and the stories tied to them. Huntsville’s 2026 celebration focuses heavily on educating residents about the Indigenous tribes who once inhabited the Tennessee Valley and the continued preservation of culturally important sites such as Monte Sano, Ditto Landing, Big Spring Park, Wade Mountain Greenway and portions of Redstone Arsenal.
Katie Stamps, Huntsville’s historic preservationist, said this year’s initiative aims to bring long-overdue recognition to stories that have historically been left out.
“It’s about recognizing and uplifting the stories that have not always been told,” Stamps said. “We want to tell a more authentic and complete story of Huntsville.”
Throughout May, the city will host a series of public events, including guided walking tours of downtown Huntsville on May 7 and May 16. The month-long observance will conclude May 21 with a panel discussion titled “Telling the Full Story of America: Celebrating Indigenous Stories and Places in Huntsville.”
Stamps said the month is designed to encourage reflection, education and deeper understanding.
“By uplifting Indigenous voices and recognizing these sacred landscapes, we are embracing a more complete understanding of our history — one that respects the people who were here long before Huntsville was established,” she said. “This month is about learning together, listening deeply and celebrating the stories that give meaning to these places.”
The event’s location at Big Spring Park East carried deep historical and spiritual meaning. For thousands of years, Indigenous tribes considered the spring a sacred gathering place.
“Osiyo,” greeted Patrick Penn of the Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama, using the Cherokee word for “greetings.”
Penn explained that Cherokee people also referred to the area as “the big spring” and described it as one of the most sacred sites for Native communities in the region.
“This was among our most sacred places — a place of water,” Penn said. “My people, along with the Chickasaw, called this ‘the big spring.’”
Penn spoke about the Cherokee concept of “tohi,” describing the connection between water, nature and overall well-being — physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
Although the Cherokee ceded the land in 1805 and 1806, many Native communities were later forcibly removed through the Indian Removal Act signed by President Andrew Jackson in 1830. The policy led to the displacement of more than 60,000 Native Americans and ultimately the devastating Trail of Tears in 1838, where thousands died during forced relocation to present-day Oklahoma.
“By the grace of God, I am here,” Penn said. “I am living in this ancient homeland and going to the water. I’m not only praying for myself and my family, I’m praying for all of Huntsville.
“Big Spring belongs to all of us … it is our spring.”
McGhee said preserving these sites is about more than protecting landmarks — it is about protecting identity, culture and future generations.
“Preservation is not about what we save, but how and why we save it,” he said. “Preservation is not only about honoring the past, but shaping the future.”