June 2009 - Alabama State Port Authority

Port Calls:
Year of Alabama History
Civil Rights Museum and Memorial in Montgomery, Alabama, remembers freedom fighters, Dr Martin Luther King Jr. and others involved in the historical movement.
The Year of Alabama History campaign kick-off was held at Alabama’s State Capitol in Montgomery, Alabama.
Alabama is celebrating 189 years of statehood by inviting
residents and visitors to enjoy a Year of Alabama History. The
state’s department of tourism launched the Year of Alabama
History campaign in December 2008 with a celebration including
Gov. Bob Riley and more than a thousand school children.
The effort is one in a long line of award-winning campaigns.
“These campaigns were created to promote a common theme
for all attractions and destinations in Alabama,” said Edith
Parten, communications manager at the Alabama Tourism
Department. The Year of Alabama History includes resources
for teachers, families and amateur historians.
Marilyn Jones Stamps, the publications manager at Alabama
Tourism Department, noted that the Year of Alabama History,
unlike previous campaigns, is directed at students. “We hope
that this campaign will get students interested in Alabama’s
history and create a domino effect between kids, their parents
and their parents’ friends,” said Stamps.
One key element is the Web site http://www. alabama.travel/yoh.
It is easy to navigate and offers an interactive historical timeline
and a Calendar of Events where you can search by name, date
and city. The Web site features a brief biography of more than
50 legends and figures including George Washington Carver,
Hank Williams, Jesse Owens and Martin Luther King Jr. Many
of the figures are not only important in Alabama history, but in
America’s history as well.
A historical markers section allows the viewer to read more
about historic places and events throughout the state and map
their locations. The education link provides information on historic
trails, field trip destinations and a “Did You Know” page
about Alabama history. The Web site also includes multiple detailed
itineraries for school field trips. A complete list of state
attractions can be searched by city and/or keyword on the Attractions
page. The Sites and Sounds section has a gallery of
videos featuring reenactments, Alabama’s birthday celebration
with Gov. Bob Riley and a complete list of historical buildings
in Birmingham, Huntsville, Montgomery and Mobile.
The Web site is not the only outreach in this campaign. A
series of publications is also available. “We recently launched
a new Civil Rights brochure where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,
President Barack Obama and Rosa Parks are featured on the
cover,” says Parten. The brochure has just been printed and is
now being distributed to all the welcome centers. An individual
copy may also be obtained by calling 1-800-ALABAMA.
A 94-page brochure, Historic Alabama: A Guide to Landmarks
and Events, produced by the Alabama Tourism Department,
encourages travelers to visit Alabama’s historic sites.
It can be downloaded from the Web site for free or picked
The USS Alabama sits in Mobile Bay where visitors can tour and learn about
the battleship.
up at welcome centers throughout the state. There is also a
companion book, Historic Alabama: A guide to historic places,
people and events in Alabama, which can be purchased
through The Birmingham News Web site. The book and brochure
have been shipped to fourth grade history teachers
throughout Alabama.
A replica of Apollo 11 sits outside Huntsville’s Space and Rocket Center.
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