The National Park Service has awarded $23.4 million to 39 projects in 16 states to preserve Civil Rights history sites, including several in the Black Belt.
“Since 2016, the National Park Service has provided over $126 million through this program to document, preserve, and recognize the places and stories associated with the struggle for civil rights of African Americans,” said NPS Director Chuck Sams.
The Lincolnite Club in Marion received $750,000 for structural and masonry repairs of the Historic Lincoln Normal School Gymnasium.
“This grant is a major step toward repurposing the gymnasium as a Multi-Purpose Community Center, highlighting our history and struggle to achieve voting and civil rights in Perry County, Alabama,” said Thomas Miree, a Trustee of the Lincolnite Club.
Alabama Historical Commission received $75,000 for the Freedom Rides Museum Virtual Reality Experience on Vintage Greyhound Bus in Montgomery.
Alabama Historical Commission received $686,596 for the rehabilitation of the Historic Moore Building in Montgomery.
“The Alabama Historical Commission is thrilled to receive this funding from the National Park Service and would like to thank Congresswoman Sewell for her efforts in advocating for the preservation of Civil Rights historic sites like the Freedom Rides Museum and the Moore Building,” said Lisa D. Jones, Alabama Historical Commission Executive Director and State Historic Preservation Officer.
“Her dedication to historic preservation continues to highlight the importance of preserving important stories in Alabama’s history and their impact on the nation.”
Historic Tabernacle Baptist Church Selma Legacy Foundation Inc. received $744,545 for mechanical systems replacement at Tabernacle Baptist Church.
“Heating and cooling a historic 102 year-old building has many challenges. We are so happy as we look forward to having consistent heating and cooling everywhere in all seasons,” said Dr. Verdell Lett Dawson, Board Chair of the Historic Tabernacle Baptist Church Selma, AL Legacy Foundation, Inc. “This is a blessing as we continue to tell and preserve the story of our historic church for all generations.”
“Each year, I am very proud to lead the effort in Congress to increase funding for the National Park Service’s Historic Preservation Fund to ensure that Alabama’s rich Civil Rights history lives on for generations to come,” said Rep. Sewell (AL-07).
“We are thrilled that our efforts have once again paid off, with Alabama receiving more than $3 million to preserve sites associated with the Civil Rights Movement. Protecting and advancing our Civil Rights legacy will always be a top priority of mine. After all, those who don’t learn from our history are doomed to repeat it.”
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.