Alabama Historical Commission

infobox Organization
name = Alabama Historical Commission


size = 180px
caption =
formation = 1966
type = Government organization
purpose = Historic preservation
headquarters = 468 South Perry Street Montgomery, Alabama
region_served =Alabama
membership = 20
leader_title = Executive Director
leader_name = Frank White
num_staff =
num_volunteers =
budget =
website = [http://www.preserveala.org/ preserveala.org]
remarks =The Alabama Historical Commission is the historic preservation agency for the U. S. state of Alabama. The agency was created by an act of the state legislature in 1966 with a mission of safeguarding Alabama’s historic buildings and sites. It consists of twenty members appointed by the state governor or who serve in an official position. The members represent a broad cross section of Alabamians including architects, historians, archaeologists, and representatives of state universities.cite web|title="Commission/Executive Director"|work="Alabama Historical Commission"|url=http://www.preserveala.org/commissioner.aspx?sm=a_c|accessdate=2008-02-13] The commission is tasked with acquisition and preservation of historic properties and education of the public abouthistoric sites in Alabama.cite web|title="Report on the Alabama Historical Commission"|work="Alabama Department of Examiners"| url=http://www.examiners.state.al.us/PDFs/Audit27S-0007.pdf| accessdate=2008-03-05]

Historic preservation

The commission, in cooperation with the Alabama Trust for Historic Preservation, publishes the annual report, "Places in Peril", that details Alabama's most threatened historic resources.cite web|title="Preservation Report"|work="Alabama Historical Commission"|url=http://www.preserveala.org/preservationreport.aspx?sm=h_b|accessdate=2008-02-13] The commission also partners with the Alabama Preservation Alliance and the University of West Alabama to produce the "Preservation Scoreboard", a publication that highlights specific landmark rescues and success stories, opportunities for rescue, and demolitions within the state.cite web|title="The Scoreboard"|work="Alabama's Preservation Scoreboard"|url=http://preservationscoreboard.uwa.edu/|accessdate=2008-02-13]

The commission's executive director serves as Alabama's State Historic Preservation Officer and is responsible for nominating historic properties and sites for placement on the National Register of Historic Places and designation as National Historic Landmarks.cite web|title="National Register of Historic Places"|work="Alabama Historical Commission"|url=http://www.preserveala.org/nationalregister.aspx?sm=f_c|accessdate=2008-02-13] The State Historic Preservation Officer carries out functions delegated to the state by the United States Department of the Interior.

The commission also maintains the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage, which includes properties that the commission deems worthy of preservation. The Alabama Register includes properties ranging from cemeteries to reconstructed properties which would possibly not qualify for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.cite web|title="Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage"|work="Alabama Historical Commission"|url=http://www.preserveala.org/alabamaregister.aspx?sm=f_b|accessdate=2008-02-13] The commission owns, operates, or has custody of 26 historic properties located throughout Alabama. These include the Alabama State Capitol, Bottle Creek Indian Mounds, Fort Mims, Fort Morgan, Fort Toulouse, Gaineswood, Old Cahawba, and St. Luke's Episcopal Church.

Historical markers

The commission began a historical marker program in 1975 to inform the public about significant buildings, sites, structures, objects, cemeteries, and districts in the state. Individuals or organizations requesting a marker must have available funds to purchase it since the state provides no funds. In order for an individual or organization to receive a marker from the commission a property must be:cite web|title="Historical Marker Program"|work="Alabama Historical Commission"| url=http://preserveala.org/histmarkerprogram.aspx?sm=f_g|accessdate=2008-03-05]
*listed individually in the National Register of Historic Places or the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage.
*or be a contributing resource in a listed National Register or Alabama Register historic district
*or be listed in the Alabama Historic Cemetery Register.

References