FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Through My Eyes––Folklife Images by Bernice Sims
Bernice Sims, the oldest of ten children, was born in 1926 in the tiny rural Alabama community of Hickory Hill. Raised by her grandmother, she spent an impoverished childhood.

Sims was first exposed to art painting at the age of eight by Mrs. Hattie Warren, a white lady who owned the general store next door to where she lived. Sims loved drawing and painting but got married at age fifteen, had six children, and she never had the chance to paint. After her children were grown, she went back to school at a local junior college and passed her GED. She also took ceramics at the local junior college and her concealed talent “bust out”, and she began painting with oils on canvas. Sims became a painter after a decade of struggle for African-American Civil Rights in which she played a leadership role as a co-founder of the local NAACP Chapter.

Bernice Sims followed in the tradition of the late Clementine Hunter and Grandma Moses, painting a representation of simple and compelling scenes from memory. Her untrained “folk” style reincarnates the harmonious and innocent vision of a childhood filled with passion and excitement. Sims makes artful the common things of life. In her “memory” paintings, Bernice evokes the spirit of early 20th century country scenes—how life went on and how things were done.
Sims’ painting of the 1965 Selma March was chosen as part of the United States Postal Service commemorative Stamp Series, To Form a More Perfect Union––Seeking Equal Rights for African Americans honoring those men and women who participated in the movement.

WHAT: Through My Eyes, Folklife Images by Bernice Sims
WHERE: Old Alabama Town Reception Center, 301 Columbus Street
WHEN: June 7 through July 15
TIME: 9 am to 3 pm
ADMISSION: Free
Contact: Betty Pinkston – 334-240-4617

Old Fashioned Independence Day Celebration at Old Alabama Town

Join us at Old Alabama Town as we celebrate our nation’s independence on Monday, July 4th in the South Block, 310 N. Hull Street from 9 am to 2 pm. A special patriotic ceremony will be held at 11:30 in front of Lucas Tavern. Boy Scouts will post the colors of the flag, lead the Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem and a childrens’ flag parade will follow.

Tour Montgomery’s historic village and have fun as you return to the adventurous pioneer days. Chat with “Davy Crockett,” portrayed by Al Bouler, a noted Crockett expert and experienced first person interpreter. Authentically dressed in coonskin cap and rawhide chaps, Al Bouler creates a unique image of David Crockett during the Alabama Frontier Days.

Enjoy the Old Alabama Town Saturday Jammers’ ol’ time banjo, dulcimer and fiddle music. See craftspeople demonstrate woodworking, spinning and weaving, and hear storytelling in the breezeway of the dogtrot. Children and adults can enjoy ol’ time games in the courtyard with prizes for all. Food and drink vendors will be available.
We invite you to join us as we celebrate our nation’s independence and experience the past that comes alive with over 100 years of history.

WHAT: Independence Day Celebration
WHERE: Old Alabama Town - 310 N. Hull Street, Montgomery, AL 36104 (Behind Lucas Tavern)
WHEN: Monday, July 4, 2005
TIME: 9 am to 2 pm
ADMISSION: Special admission price - adults $4.00, Children under 12 are free
FOR INFORMATION: 334-240-4617 or 1-888-240-1850
Contact:
Betty Pinkston
Director of Marketing
Old Alabama Town

Seminar – August 24, 25 & 26
Show & Sale – August 27 & 28

Old Alabama Town, Montgomery, Alabama
This is the first Heart of Dixie Seminar, Show, Sale and Competition at Old Alabama Town, sponsored by Old Alabama Town and Old South Woodcarving Studio. The guest instructor and judge for the show is Debbe Edwards from Northeast Oklahoma. Debbe is nationally known for her realistic animal carvings and was one of ten carvers featured in the book, “Carving Found Wood.” “Her carvings look so real you almost expect to see them move, “ said Carole Jean Boyd, Old Alabama Town’s resident woodcarver. Carvers from Alabama and surrounding states are expected to attend and compete in this show and sale.

Woodcarving Seminar – Aug. 24, 25, & 26
Classes will be held in the Old South Woodcarving Studio or the Molton Outbuilding in Old Alabama Town. Class is limited. Instructor is Debbe Edwards from Northeast Oklahoma. Cost is $150.00 per student. Each participant will complete a wildlife carving in the 3-day workshop.

Heart of Dixie Woodcarving Show & Sale – Aug. 27 & 28
Saturday – 9 am to 4 pm; Sunday – 1 pm to 4 pm
OAT Loeb Reception Center, 301 Columbus Street
Exhibitor table fee - $45.00 (includes 6 ft. table and electricity, table skirt not provided.)
Free admission to show and sale.

For information or show application:
contact Carole Jean Boyd at 334-868-9999 or Betty Pinkston at 334-240-4617.

From: Old Alabama Town
Contact: Betty Pinkston – 334-240-4617
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Old Alabama Town Offers Teacher’s History Seminar

Old Alabama Town will offer a week-long history seminar June 6-10, 2005 for elementary and secondary classroom teachers at the Loeb Reception Center in Old Alabama Town. Using the Alabama Course of Study as a guide, retired teachers, Margaret Hixon, Doris Jean Peak, and Old Alabama Town Educational Director, Florence Giles will conduct the in-depth study of Alabama history. Mary Ann Neeley will open the week with an overview of Alabama’s intriguing history.

During the week, participants will trek Old Alabama Town’s trail of history and look at how people lived and worked in the 19th century. On two days of the week, Field trips to Fort Toulouse/Fort Jackson and a tour of Cahawba will focus on the historical development of the state. Anne Dalton, author of Massacre Island will interpret through role playing the influence of French settlers in south Alabama. Tom Bailey and Roz Morris will conduct a workshop on the importance of biographies in teaching Alabama history. Staff member, Dr. Craig Mann, will demonstrate the place of music in evaluating historical events. Margaret Hixon and Doris Jean Peak will teach lessons in methodology incorporating "object literacy” and “using primary sources.” Hands-on map activities will show how teaching basic facts can be fun.

At the end of the week, all teachers will receive books, educational materials and a wealth of information to use in their individual classrooms. The only cost to a participant is $25.00 registration fee. Lunch will be provided each day. All teachers attending will receive a Certificate of Participation. Hours recorded for the entire week may be converted into CEUs following the guidelines and approval of county boards of education and/or employing institutions.

Teachers interested in attending should call Florence Giles at 334-240-4517 or Toll free 1-888-240-1850
WHAT: Teacher’s History Seminar
WHERE: Old Alabama Town
WHEN: June 6-10, 2005
ADMISSION: $25.00 Registration Fee

PRESS RELEASE
From: Old Alabama Town
Contact: Betty Pinkston – 334-240-4617FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
A Day of Music At Old Alabama Town
Old Alabama Town will host a day of musical entertainment on April 23, 2005. For good music and a good time, join us for a full day of folk, gospel and down home music. The Old Alabama Town Jammers will pick and sing in the 1840s Rose House from 9 am to 12 noon. Musicians who play acoustic instruments are invited to join in the fun. Priscilla Jackson, Old Alabama Town interpreter and roleplayer, will sing and portray Harriet Tubman in the Old Alabama Town Church at 1:15. The Plantation Heirs, a group dedicated to traditional spiritual music and dressed in 19th period clothing will perform in the church at 2 pm.
Admission is free and everyone is invited to attend this fun musical event.
WHAT: A Day of Music
WHERE: Old Alabama Town
WHEN: April 23, 2005
ADMISSION: FREE
For more information: call OAT at 334-240-4500

From: Old Alabama Town
Contact: Betty Pinkston – 334-240-4617
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Confederate Walking Tours With Mary Ann Neeley
In honor of Confederate Memorial Month, Old Alabama Town will sponsor two Confederate Walking Tours in April lead by Montgomery historian, Mary Ann Neeley. The Confederate Downtown Walking tour on Saturday, April 16 will begin at the tunnel on Commerce Street (adjacent to the train shed) at 1:15 and continue up Commerce Street to Dexter Avenue and end at the State Capitol around 4 pm.

Where is the last remaining building that housed a local Confederate Hospital? Where was the Confederate Office Building? Where was the steamboat the Nashville built? These and a number of other sites that relate to Montgomery’s role in the Civil War will be discussed and pointed out on the two-hour walking tour. Admission is $4.00.
The Confederate Cemetery Tour on Sunday, April 17 will meet at the front gates of Oakwood Cemetery at 2 pm. Mary Ann Neeley will lead the tour and explore a number of graves associated with that period of local history and those who were put to rest in the 1818 cemetery.

Tickets for individual tours are $4.00. A combination ticket for both Confederate Tours is $7.50. Wear comfortable shoes and clothing for both tours.
WHAT: Confederate Walking Tours
WHERE:

• April 16th tour – Meet at the tunnel (adjacent to train shed)
• April 17 tour – Meet at front gate of Oakwood Cemetery

WHEN:

• April 16th – 1:15pm
• April 17th – 2 pm

ADMISSION: $4.00 per person; combination ticket for both tours - $7.50
For more information: call OAT at 334-240-4500

Landmarks Foundation/Old Alabama Town
In cooperation with the Alabama Humanities Foundation, hosted the fourth in a series of five symposiums on The Federal Road at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts on Saturday, March 12, 2005. The program centered around the warring elements within the Creek society and the early encounters that led to the horrific attack on Fort Mims, the critical battle of Horseshoe Bend and its catastrophic effects on the Creek nation. Dr. John Hall, spoke on the Native Land (with maps), Dr. David Heidler and Dr. Jeanne Heidler, spoke on the War of 1812; Dr. Greg Waselkov presented First Encounters; Ove Jensen, spoke on The Battle at the Horseshoe and Dr. Kathryn Braund, spoke on Through a Glass Darkly. A roundtable discussion on the Holy Ground was a highlight of the day and included all the speakers, Mary Ann Neeley and audience participation. A question and answer period concluded the program. Special thanks to Jacob Lowrey of Greenville, South Carolina for lending his McKenney and Hall prints of significant Creek Leaders for this series. The 2006 series will conclude with the tragedy of the Indian Removal.

Attendance was great, 142 enjoyed this very interesting and informative program.

With an evening arranged by Elmore DeMott, chairman, and Camille Leonard, Michelle Roth, Carrie Banks, Nell Weisenfield, Fairlie Herron and Wendy Anzalone as the steering committee, a whole new and grown-up generation knows the attributes of Old Alabama Town. While the March 4 “Raise a Glass to the Past,” country supper held within the compound of restored 1850 buildings was designed to boost the educational offerings of the district, which is maintained by the Landmarks Foundation of Montgomery, it was also designed to introduce the historic village to a group of people whose previous contact was either through their parents or as school children on class field trips.

For donations made to the Old Alabama Town educational fund, guests were toasted with glasses of champagne and were presented with numbered champagne glasses dangling from beaded necklaces. During a drawing, three lucky winners took home exquisite pieces of estate jewelry, chosen to represent various time periods of the structures preserved by Landmarks.

Al Bouler, who portrays Walter Lucas, owner of Lucas Tavern, welcomed guests and directed them to the gardens outside. It was a cool early spring evening, but guests gathered around firepits and chimineas as they mingled in the grassy courtyard in the center of the “Living Block” of the historic 1850s village. Most of the restored buildings were open for touring, including Grange Hall, Church, Corner, Grocery Store, One-Room Schoolhouse, Pole Barn and the Yancey Dogtrot, where the bluegrass band Home Remedy played.

Priscilla Jackson who portrays Viney, the resident of the Shotgun House, was persuaded to sing several gospel selections with the band. In period costume, Priscilla leads tours of her home during school tours and has a deep, resonate singing voice that many had not heard in full glory until that evening.

The menu was strictly Southern from Red’s Little Schoolhouse with fried chicken, butter beans, sweet potato casserole, and the restaurant’s famous fried corn pones eaten as quickly as they could be dipped from the hot kettle. For dessert, there were bite-sized desserts, and supper was shared under tents at dining tables decorated with candles, burlap-wrapped cotton bolls and begonias. A fun evening for all!

Saturday, March 12, 2005 from 2pm to 4 pm
Landmarks Foundation/Old Alabama Town will focus attention on the Federal Road with the program starting at the Old Alabama Town Reception Center, 301 Columbus Street and ending at Lucas Tavern. Admission is $3.00.

The Federal Road, Indian paths widened by the United States following a treaty with the Creek Indians in 1805, brought literally thousands into this region, including militiamen, warriors, traders, travelers and settlers. Both romanticized and cursed, the often dangerous and always treacherous thoroughfare, continues to provide material for intriguing discussions. Four speakers will share their points of view and information concerning the road and those who trekked over it. Mark Dauber will present a beautifully detailed slide show on the course it followed and scenes along the way. Dr. Craig Mann will talk about how this famous Road came about and what happened to it. Jeffrey Benton, author of the Very Worst Road, will relate tales told by those who traveled it, and Mary Ann Neeley will highlight the role Lucas Tavern played and some of those who found bed and board within its walls.

PRESS RELEASE
Feb. 16, 2005
Spike Graham Orchestra and The Circle 8 Cowboys
At the Capri TheatreOn Friday, March 11, 2005, the Spike Graham Orchestra and The Circle 8 Cowboys will be performing at the Capri Theatre in Montgomery, Alabama. The show will begin at 7:00 pm with doors opening at 6:30 pm. The event is a fundraiser for the Alabama Jazz and Blues Federation and Old Alabama Town summer concert series. Admission is free but donations are welcome.
Please call 334-284-5631 if there are questions.