MONTGOMERY KICKS OFF NATIONAL PRESERVATION MONTH APRIL 29

April 27, 2010

MONTGOMERY, Ala.--May is National Preservation Month. On April 29 at 10 a.m., the Alabama Historical Commission, Montgomery County Historical Society and the Landmarks Foundation of Montgomery will kick off a month of activities aimed at raising awareness about the preservation efforts underway in our community. During this opening ceremony, representatives from all three organizations will meet at the Dowe House at 334 Washington Avenue to declare "This Place Matters," as part of a National Trust for Historic Preservation's efforts to secure federal funding for historic properties.

On May 1, the Landmarks Foundation will present "Care & Feeding of Your Old House" from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Old Alabama Town. Designed for historic homeowners like those who reside in Old Cloverdale, Capitol Heights and the Garden District, this free event will feature lectures on dealing with the Architectural Review Board, “greening” of historic homes, paint colors, parasites, financing fixer-uppers, and investing in historic properties. Admission is free, but registration is required. Please call 240-4512 to sign up. Following the workshop, at 1:30 p.m., historian Mary Ann Neeley will sign her new book, "The Works of Matthew Blue: Montgomery’s First Historian."

Also on May 1, at 1 p.m., the Landmarks Foundation will present "Firehouses as Houses: A Before-and-After Renovation Look at Life in a Firehouse." Assemble at Firehouse No. 1, located at the five-points intersections of Montgomery, Goldthwaite, Clayton and Mobile Streets in historic Cottage Hill, where developer Byron Berry will describe his renovation plan. Then proceed to Firehouse No. 9, 1164 S McDonough Street, in the historic Garden District, where artist and architect David Braly will showcase his widely celebrated stylish renovation.

On May 22, Old Alabama Town--an history village in downtown Montgomery featuring restored 19th and early 20th century structures--will wrap the month up with a Front Porch Fair from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Part of Jubilee CityFest, the event will feature a day of old fashioned family fun, including bluegrass music, storytelling, and craft demonstrations by blacksmiths, woodcarvers, potters, chair caners, spinners and weavers. Children’s activities will include a presentation by the Montgomery Zoo of Alabama native animals, a puppet show by Paw-Paw Cotton Tales, sack races, butter making and more. At 10:30 a.m., Kathryn Tucker Windham and Mary Ann Neeley will tell stories as part of Gabbin’ with the GRITS Again, an encore presentation of Old Alabama Town's Women’s History Month luncheon. At 1 p.m., one of the state’s top bluegrass bands, Cotton Mouth Creek, will perform. There will also be a free muscadine wine tasting sponsored by Morgan Creek Winery and food vendors featuring traditional Southern treats, such as lacy cornbread. Admission to the Front Porch Fair is $10, or $5 for Jubilee passholders.

For more information, please contact Buffy Lockette at 334-240-4617 or b.lockette@oldalabamatown.com.