Famed architects James Gallier and Charles Dakin designed Barton Academy, Alabama’s oldest public school, in 1835-1836. The building has served as a school, military hospital and education administrative office.

In 2005 Barton Academy sustained damage by Hurricane Katrina and is currently listed as Number One of Alabama’s Historic “Places of Peril.” Unless immediate action is taken this building will be lost.

New Orleans glass artist, Paulette Lizano, herself affected by Katrina, designed the “Blue Roof House” pendants. The blue roof symbolizes the blue tarp roofs of buildings damaged by Hurricane Katrina. These “blue roof house” pendants are being used by both the New Orleans Preservation Resource Center and the Alabama Preservation Alliance, to help save Barton Academy.

The pendants may be purchased at the Old Alabama Town Museum Gift Shop in Montgomery for $20. A portion of the proceeds goes to the Barton Academy Foundation. The pendants, each one different and unique, are all signed and dated by the artist and will be a cherished collectable for years to come.

Heart of Dixie Woodcarving Seminar, Show and Sale
August 23rd, 24th, 25th, and 26th- 9 am to 4 pm daily
The 2nd Annual Heart of Dixie Woodcarving Seminar, Show and Sale will be held at OAT on August 23rd through the 26th. The 3-day seminar will be on August 23rd, 24th, and 25th from 9 am to 4 pm in the Old South Woodcarving Studio in the North Block of Old Alabama Town. The seminar is limited to 15 students who will complete a finished Indian Bust or Woodburning. Guest instructors are George Vaughn and Patty Rucker. The cost for the seminar is $150 per person. The show and sale will be on August 26th from 9 am to 4 pm in the Old Alabama Town Reception Center. Carvers from Alabama and surrounding states are expected to attend and compete. There is a $40 fee to compete in the show, and admission for the sale is free and open to the public. For more information call (334) 868-9999.

ARMSchair Sound of Summer Concert
Friday, August 4th- Kiwanis Park, 7 pm
Old Alabama Town and Alabama Roots Music Society (ARMS) are pleased to announce the second concert in the Sounds of Summer Series. The concert will be Friday, August 4th in Kiwanis Park. Singer/Songwriter Shane Adkins and bluegrass band, “Out of the Blue” will perform. Admission is $1 per person. Gates open at 6:30 pm and the concert starts at 7 pm. For more information call 240-4500.

History Hurrah!
Saturday, July 29th- 9 am to 10:30 am and 1 pm to 2:30 pm
Old Alabama Town is hosting an exciting new event for children, History Hurrah! The History Hurrah! program will be Saturday, July 29th in conjunction with the Christmas in July sale. This new program is for children in 1st through 4th grades, and will feature early settler crafts, storytelling and refreshments. There will be two sessions, one from 9 am to 10:30 am and one from 1 pm to 2:30 pm. Registration must be pre-paid and applications are available from Old Alabama Town or the website. The cost is $8 per child and includes two free Old Alabama Town tour passes to be used during the event, and 10% off in the museum gift shop. Call 240-4500 for more information. Reserve now, as space is limited.

>>download application here

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