Contact for The Cahaba Foundation: Florence Young, President - 334-549-2583 or younggilmer@charter.net
Contact for the Alabama Historical Commission: Jacqulyn Kirkland, Marketing & Public Relations Manager – 334-230-2645 or jacqulyn.kirkland@ahc.alabama.gov
For Immediate Release
New Gated Entrance at Historic Old Cahawba
The Cahaba Foundation, the Alabama Historical Commission, and the Cahawba Advisory Committee in partnership with Selma and Dallas County Chamber and Tourist Information broke ground for a new gated entrance to the Old Cahawba Archaeological Park in Orrville, Alabama, on Monday, September 25th at 5:30 p.m.
The event was held at the entrance of Old Cahawba, a historic property of the Alabama Historical Commission. Afterwards a multitude of local and statewide guests joined city and park officials to enjoy a “Taste and Toast” reception featuring specialty selections donated by some of the area’s favorite restaurants. A bronze plaque commemorating the Park’s major donors was also unveiled inside the Visitor’s Center.
“This is a great day for Old Cahawba, a great day for Dallas County, a great day for the State of Alabama and the fulfillment of a dream for The Cahaba Foundation, said Florence Young, President of The Cahaba Foundation. “Established in 2008 by the late Daniel J. Meador, the mission of our non-profit foundation has been to protect and preserve the site of Alabama’s first state capital and now we are celebrating the completion of this first priority. It is only through a viable public/private partnership with the Alabama Historical Commission and the Cahawba Advisory Committee, the financial investment of corporate and charitable foundations, as well as from the generosity of hundreds of Alabamians across the State, that The Cahaba Foundation is able to celebrate the construction of this grand and secure entrance to the Old Cahawba Archaeological Park.”
The gated entrance will secure entry into the park afterhours. This project marks a significant milestone for the park’s ongoing capital campaign. To date, the campaign, which was launched in 2008, has raised over $1,000,000, allowing the Park to purchase those lots held in private ownership for the state, ensuring that they will be restored and preserved for archaeological study and public education and enjoyment.
“This is a perfect example of a successful public-private partnership,” said Lisa D. Jones, Executive Director of the Alabama Historical Commission. “The Commission is grateful for the efforts of both The Cahaba Foundation and the Cahawba Advisory Committee. Our ongoing partnership has resulted in a major land acquisition, which helps support our mission ‘to protect, preserve, and interpret Alabama’s historic places’. ”
Old Cahawba’s new entrance is made possible through the generous contributions of corporations, charitable foundations and individuals across Alabama. Most recently, funding made available from the Ala-Tom Resource, Conservation and Development board has insured the completion of the construction and landscaping of this project in time to celebrate Alabama’s Bicentennial and Old Cahawba’s 200th birthday.
“We are proud that so much of Alabama’s rich heritage is located right here in Dallas County,” stated Sheryl Smedley, Executive Director of the Selma and Dallas County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Information. “This is a great opportunity to celebrate some of Alabama’s earliest history and to showcase local businesses.”
Old Cahawba Archaeological Park, a historic property of the Alabama Historical Commission, is located at the confluence of the Cahaba and Alabama Rivers and is one of the most significant historical and biological sites in Alabama. Although best known as Alabama’s first state capital from 1819 to 1826, Old Cahawba embraces a long history of multi-cultural inhabitants and settlements, and is highly prized for its archaeological and historical merit. It was the home of some of Alabama’s earliest inhabitants (16th century Native Americans known as the “Mississippians”), a thriving antebellum river town (one of the wealthiest towns in the country at the time), a Civil War military prison, and a key post-Civil War site for the Radical Republican Party as the old deserted court house became a rallying point for freed slaves attempting to solidify the political gains they had secured during Reconstruction.
Thousands of visitors of all ages tour Old Cahawba each year, including locals who come to walk and ride bikes along the nature trails. School-children from throughout the state and tourists from across the country are frequent visitors.
About The Cahaba Foundation
The Cahaba Foundation was established in 2008 by the late Daniel J. Meador as a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and improving Old Cahawba Archaeological Park, a historic property of the Alabama Historical Commission. The Foundation remains committed to future landscaping and infrastructure improvements.
About the Cahawba Advisory Committee
In 1994 the Cahaba Historical Commission officially became the Cahawba Advisory Committee (CAC), a State Agency tasked with advising the Alabama Historical Commission on the development of Old Cahawba. Under the leadership of Chairman Carl Morgan, Jr. the reinvigorated Committee was able to develop long range goals, increase the park staff, and provide major funding for land acquisition. The Committee has provided grants to the AHC for that purpose totaling over one million dollars.
About the Alabama Historical Commission
Located in historic downtown Montgomery at 468 S. Perry Street, the Alabama Historical Commission is the state historic preservation agency for Alabama. The agency was created by an act of the state legislature in 1966 with a mission to protect, preserve and interpret Alabama’s historic places. AHC works to accomplish its mission through two fields of endeavor: Preservation and promotion of state-owned historic sites as public attractions; and, statewide programs to assist people, groups, towns, and cities with local preservation activities. For a complete list of programs and properties owned and operated by the AHC, hours of operation, and admission fees please visit ahc.alabama.gov
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