ALABAMA'S FIVE CAPITOLS

One Hundred and Eighty Years of Statehood

One of these programs offers a series of talks and slide lectures on the five Alabama towns that have served at various times as territorial and state capitals.

It is difficult to imagine what daily life was like in the early years of Alabama’s statehood, and harder still to picture a capital city of Alabama other than Montgomery. What did the buildings that once served as the State Capitol look like? Do they still exist? Who were the lawmakers, the movers and shakers in those earlier times? The answers to these questions and many others can be gleaned from these informative lectures presented by recognized authorities on the history of Alabama. The dates and speakers were and are as follows:

On Jan. 17, Jackie Matte, Birmingham scholar and historian discussed "Old St. Stephens", the town on the Tombigbee River which was the state’s first territorial capital after the division of the Alabama and Mississippi territories in 1817.

Feb. 7 at 2 pm: historians Frances and David Robb will present a slide/lecture on "Huntsville," the town where representatives from around the state wrote the Alabama Constitution in 1819. See and hear this lecture at the Figh-Pickett House, Montgomery County Historical Society, 512 South Court Street.

Mar. 7 at 2 pm: Linda Derry, director of the Cahaba State Historic Park, will talk about the first state capital, Cahaba, its interesting history, development and demise.

April 11 at 2pm: Dr. Robert Mellown, professor of art history at the University of Alabama will focus on Tuscaloosa, the state capital from 1825-1846.

May (date to be announced) Robert Gamble, an architectural historian with the Alabama Historical Commission, will discuss the moving of the capital to Montgomery and talk about the design and construction of the capitol building.

Additional information about these lectures is available from the Old Alabama Town Landmarks Foundation, 301 Columbus Street, Montgomery. (334) 240-4500.

Should you wish to celebrate this historic year by learning traditional skills practiced by Alabamians in days gone by, Sharon Neeley, a prize-winning master rug hooker, will teach one three-hour class a month, January 23rd to April 24th in Old Alabama Town.

The courses are limited to six students. Everything you need to complete a rug is included in the $175 fee. For more information, call (334) 240-4500.

If music played on old stringed instruments delights you, you may wish to join the classes taking lessons in fiddle, guitar, mandolin and bass guitar given by Calvin Bodiford. You will need to find your own instrument, but classes are very reasonable at just $50 per month for 50-minute lessons each Tuesday. Call the Old Alabama Town Craft Center at (334) 240-4512 to register.