FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Andi Martin, Marketing and Public Relations Manager
andi.martin@ahc.alabama.gov, 334-230-2680
March
19, 2020
Update: Alabama Historical Commission Responds to COVID-19
(Montgomery,
AL) As of Thursday, March 19, the Alabama Historical Commission will act on the
recommendations of public health officials and Governor Ivey to implement a
plan for social distancing. In the interest of public health and safety, the
Alabama Historical Commission's main office and select historic sites have been closed to the public since March 16, and all events and programs are
cancelled until April 30.
The agency will reevaluate these closures by that time.
The
Alabama Historical Commission Main Office in Montgomery will be operating with
limited staff. Any and all correspondence is encouraged via email to program
coordinators. Section 106 applications have moved to a digital submission
process.
“The Alabama
Historical Commission remains vigilant as we prepare our staff, historic
sites, and visitors to the coronavirus and the COVID-19 situation,” said Lisa
D. Jones, Executive Director Alabama Historical Commission. “We are
dedicated to the safety and well-being of our employees and historic sites
visitors. This new protocol has been implemented to serve the public and
maintain safety for all those impacted under the AHC umbrella.”
Historic
Site closures include Fort Morgan, Pond Spring, Belle Mont, Fendall
Hall, Gaineswood, Magnolia Grove, Freedom Rides Museum, and the museum at
Confederate Memorial Park. Visitors’ centers will close at all AHC historic
sites.
At
this time, AHC sites with green spaces will remain open as a service to
citizens who wish to engage with the outdoors. These open green spaces include Old
Cahawba, Fort Toulouse-Fort Jackson, Confederate Memorial Park, grounds at Pond
Spring, and Fort Mims.
·
These sites will continue to take
admissions through “honor boxes” or at the gate.
·
AHC will maintain a presence at all
sites for the duration of this evolving situation.
The full list of impacted AHC events through April
30, 2020:
March
- All month - Guided tours
and small arms demonstration every Tuesday & Thursday – Fort Morgan, Gulf
Shores, AL
- March 19 Alabama Register
Meeting (postponed)
- March 21 Bird Walk for
Beginners (& History Buffs) – Old Cahawba, Orrville, AL
- March 21 Living History
Saturday – Fort Toulouse - Fort Jackson, Wetumpka, AL
- March 21- April 4 Gaineswood Quilt Exhibit –
Gaineswood, Demopolis, AL
- March 28 Historic
Clocktowers and Bells of Alabama with Thomas Kauffmann – Old Cahawba, Orrville,
AL
- March 28 Miss Annie’s
Plant Sale – Pond Spring, Hillsboro, AL
April
- All month - Guided tours
and small arms demonstration every Tuesday & Thursday – Fort Morgan, Gulf
Shores, AL
- All month - Coastal Bird Banding – Fort Morgan,
Gulf Shores, AL
- April 4 Civil War Walking Tour & Prisoners of
War Memorial Service – Old Cahawba, Orrville, AL
- April 18 Nature Walk – Pond Spring, Hillsboro,
AL
- April
18-19 French & Indian Encampment – Fort Toulouse-Fort Jackson, Wetumpka,
AL
- April 25-26 Living History & Saturday Skirmish – Confederate
Memorial Park, Marbury, AL
- April 25 160th Anniversary Gala – Fendall Hall – Eufaula, AL
AHC acknowledges
that this situation will continue to evolve as protocol and policy is
put into place at the state and federal levels.
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