Old Alabama Town, the South’s premier history village!

Montgomery, AL- Landmarks Foundation of Montgomery has a 40 year history of preservation and restoration in the community. On December 10, 2007 Landmarks Foundation adopted a resolution in opposition of the Retirement Systems of Alabama’s (RSA) planned project for the Old Judicial Building on Dexter Avenue. The resolution was submitted to Montgomery Mayor, Bobby Bright and Governor of Alabama, Bob Riley.
Download the complete statement here

The South’s premier history village.
Old Alabama Town is a collection of authentically restored 19th and 20th century structures. A magnificent setting, it stretches along six blocks in the heart of historic downtown Montgomery, Alabama.

Step back in time and experience over 100 years of history as you embark on a journey where you will see meticulously restored and furnished buildings reflecting the lives of the people who settled and developed Central Alabama. Each building creates its own distinctive image of living and working in Alabama’s past. You will see a cross-section of the way life was from the elegant townhouse lifestyle to rural pioneer living.

Landmarks Foundation of Montgomery, a non-profit corporation develops and administers Old Alabama Town. Landmarks came into being in 1967 for the purpose of fostering, encouraging and leading the preservation movement in the area. With the purchase of the 1850s Ordeman Townhouse and its dependencies in 1968, Landmarks has acquired and restored over forty buildings and is committed to preserving the past for the good of the future. Today Old Alabama Town continues to grow and is a place where people of all ages have fun learning about history, architecture and lifestyles.

Old Alabama Town is more than just a tour… it is an experience in history.

During the month of April 2008

Saturday Jam Sessions
April 12th and April 26th - 9 am to noon
Join us for Old Alabama Town’s Saturday Jam Sessions on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month. The sessions are from 9 am until noon at the 1840s Rose House. Musicians bring your acoustic instruments and join the fun! Admission to the jam sessions is free; tickets to tour Old Alabama Town are available at the Reception Center.

Old Alabama Town and ARMS (Alabama Roots Music Society) are pleased to announce the first concert in the 2008 Summer Concert Series. Blues Harmonica player Mark Hummel will perform on Tuesday, April 15th. The concert begins at 7 pm in Kiwanis Park. Admission is $2 per person. Come down to Old Alabama Town with your family, a picnic and something to sit on, as you enjoy an evening of great music! Call 240-4500 for more information.

3rd Annual Alabama Book Festival
Saturday, April 19, 2008- 9 am to 4 pm
Come down to Old Alabama Town for the 3rd Annual Alabama Book Festival. This year’s festival will feature over 50 nationally recognized authors and presenters, as well as book appraisers, publishers, illustrators and booksellers. This year’s authors and presenters include: Rick Bragg (Prince of Frog Town and All Over But the Shoutin’), Cassandra King (Queen of Broken Hearts and The Sunday Wife), Ace Atkins (Wicked City), Joshilyn Jackson (The Girl Who Stopped Swimming), Rheta Grimsley Johnson (Poor Man’s Provence), and many more. Young Adult writers include Jay Asher (Thirteen Reasons Why), R.A. Nelson (Breathe My Name and Teach Me), Jennifer Echols (Major Crush and The Boys Next Door) and more.

Other festival offerings include a dedicated children’s area with authors, literary characters and arts and crafts. There will be an on site coffee house and food vendors, singer/songwriter Davis Raines, a performance selection from Conecuh People and much more. Volunteer and sponsorship opportunities are available.
For more information call 240-4500

Oakwood cemetery Walking Tour
Sunday, April 27th at 2 pm
Join Mary Ann Neeley and Dr. Richard Bailey on a walking tour of Oakwood Cemetery on Sunday, April 27th at 2 pm. Oakwood Cemetery is a museum of history, art and landscaping. Come hear the stories, appreciate the art and enjoy the setting while walking through Montgomery’s oldest burial site. Admission is free to Landmarks Foundation members, and $5 for the public. The tour begins inside the cemetery gates off of Columbus Street. Please call 240-4500 for more information and advanced reservations.

Coming in May 2008

Landmarks Foundation Spring Fundraiser
Friday, May 2nd- 7 pm
Come down to Old Alabama Town for Landmarks Foundation’s annual Spring Fundraiser. Join us for the Cinco de Mayo themed evening complete with great fun, food and entertainment. Guests will have the chance to win original artwork, trips and other great prizes. Tickets are $30 per person. Proceeds from the event go to Old Alabama Town’s education programming. Please make reservations by April 28th. Call 240-4500 for reservations and more information.

Herb Day 2008
Saturday, May 10th – 8 am to 3 pm
Join us at Old Alabama Town for Herb Day 2008. Hosted by the Old Alabama Town Herb Society, this free event features plants and herbs for sale and experts to answer your gardening questions. Suzan Scholl, Natural Herbalist will speak on “Going Green Daily” and there will be a “Going Green in the Kitchen” cooking demonstration. In addition there will be vendors, storytellers, garden guides and master gardeners on hand. For more information call 240-4500.

Saturday Jam Sessions
May 10th and 24th - 9 am to noon
Join us for Old Alabama Town’s Saturday Jam Sessions on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month. The sessions are from 9 am until noon at the 1840s Rose House. Musicians bring your acoustic instruments and join the fun! Admission to the jam sessions is free; tickets to tour Old Alabama Town are available at the Reception Center.

Coming in June 2008

Summer 2008 Seminar - ALABAMA’S HISTORY TRAILS
June 02 - 06 Monday - Friday
Old Alabama Town is offering an outreach program for 4th, 5th and 6th grade History Teachers, secondary English and Social Studies Teachers, and media specialists. The seminar offers an opportunity for varied methodologies in teaching Alabama History more effectively.
In addition to ideas for classroom instruction and enrichment, the sessions include:

• Old Alabama Town
• Ft. Toulouse
• Cahaba
• Historians/Role Players
• Music
• Literature
• Author and Historian Many Ann Neeley

The seminar will be held at Old Alabama Town Education Center at 301 Columbus Street, Montgomery, Alabama. The sessions will meet from 8:30am to 4:00pm, Monday through Friday and enrollment is limited. The program is sponsored by Landmarks Foundation of Montgomery. There is no charge for this program which includes educational materials, daily lunches and admission fees. CEUs will be earned for the week long seminar.

Doris Jean Peak, Margaret Hixon, and Florence Giles will instruct the seminar, assisted by the staff of Old Alabama Town and other sites. Sign up online today here.
This is a Non-refundable event.

Books Available at Old Alabama Town

The Boll Weevil Review
Essays on Central Alabama’s Past
Vol. 1, No. 1
By Mary Ann Neeley
>>learn more

Old Oakwood Cemetery
A Brief History
Written by Tommy Oliver and complied by Carole King
>>learn more

Old Alabama Town - An Illustrated Guide
Written by Marry Ann Neeley
>>learn more