In the News
MSNHA Media Mentions
Click headlines below for recent newspaper articles & broadcast clips about MSNHA projects, programs & people. Have we missed something? Send links of MSNHA in the news to msnha@una.edu. Thanks!
Oct. 3, 2024
Source: TimesDaily
Colbert County looking into kayak launch facility at Riverfront Park
Sept. 11, 2024
Source: TimesDaily
MSNHA employee named interim director
Aug. 18, 2024
Source: TimesDaily
A bridge to history: Clayton Davis helps the Shoals connect to its past
June 20, 2024
Source: TimesDaily
Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area director returns to teaching
June 10, 2024
Source: Decatur Daily
Hartselle Historical Society launches guided interactive walk downtown, bringing history to life
June 8, 2024
Source: TimesDaily
Old Railroad Bridge now on National Register
May 1, 2024
Source: TimesDaily
Old Railroad Bridge nominated to National Register
March 2, 2024
Source: TimesDaily
RiverLine honors MSNHA director
Feb. 2, 2024
Source: TimesDaily
Audio clips explain musical Florence mural
Dec. 19, 2023
Source: TimesDaily
Public gives input to Colbert County trail plans
Nov. 13, 2023
Source: TimesDaily
Young Learners’ Series focuses on storytelling
Oct. 11, 2023
Source: TimesDaily
Event focuses on urban forestry, horticulture
Sept. 14, 2023
Source: TimesDaily
RiverLine, MSNHA present plans for ORB
Sept. 9, 2023
Source: TimesDaily
Public to view conceptual plans for ORB
Aug. 27, 2023
Source: TimesDaily
Greg Harrison’s passion is history
July 18, 2023
Source: TimesDaily
RR Bridge gets $11K
July 17, 2023
Source: TimesDaily
W.C. Handy inspires latest composition
July 6, 2023
Source: TimesDaily
Project would add overlook to RR bridge
June 17, 2023
Source: TimesDaily
Grants, donations help invigorate Leighton Library
June 13, 2023
Source: TimesDaily
Creek cleanup nets 200 pounds of litter
May 23, 2023
Source: Courier Journal
Recognizing the importance of our pollinators
May 10, 2023
Source: Moulton Advertiser
Alliance of National Heritage Areas visits Courtland
May 5, 2023
Source: Quad Cities Daily
Operation Pollination gets support
Feb. 10, 2023
Source: TimesDaily
Johnson and the Shoals lauded during summit
Dec. 22, 2022
Source: The Moulton Advertiser
Lawrence County Rotary looks at Operation Pollination
Nov. 2, 2022
Source: QuadCitiesDaily.com
MSNHA to host Black Friday concert
Sept. 6, 2022
Source: Courier Journal
Coldwater returns
June 27, 2022
Source: TimesDaily
Viewing nature’s might from the water
June 17, 2022
Source: TimesDaily
Public shows interest in Singing River Trail
June 9, 2022
Source: TimesDaily
Visiting disc golfer loves amenities of the Shoals
April 28, 2022
Source: TimesDaily
UNA grad student paddles length of Tennessee River
April 28, 2022
Source: TimesDaily
Bill would reauthorize MSNHA
March 28, 2022
Source: TimesDaily
WWI project’s legacy takes center stage
Feb. 22, 2022
Source: TimesDaily
Shoals, Barnes lauded by Tennessee RiverLine
Jan. 14, 2022
Source: TimesDaily
Grant helps Colbert Tourism create monthly songwriters showcase
Oct. 10, 2021
Source: TimesDaily
Workers learn to be ambassadors of the Shoals
Sept. 14, 2021
Source: TimesDaily
All hits, no misses (editorial)
June 21, 2021
Source: TimesDaily
MSNHA welcomes new kayak fleet
May 25, 2021
Source: Courier Journal
New kiosk on Cypress adds perspective to launch area
May 19, 2021
Source: Quad-Cities Daily
MSNHA Cypress Creek kiosk ribbon-cutting today
March 28, 2021
Source: TimesDaily
WZZA earns marker on Roots of American Music Trail
Dec. 24, 2020
Source: Moulton Advertiser
Historic Jackson House original floors restored thanks to MSNHA
Nov. 7, 2020
Source: WAFF
Florence mountain bike trail gets much needed improvements
Nov. 7, 2020
Source: TimesDaily
Bike club proud of new kiosk at Wildwood Park
Oct. 23, 2020
Source: TimesDaily
Shoals named inaugural cohort in RiverTowns program
FLORENCE — The Shoals has been named an inaugural cohort of the Tennessee RiverTowns program, a part of the Tennessee RiverLine program.
The program is a vision for a continuous system of padding, hiking and biking experiences along the 652-mile length of the Tennessee River from Knoxville, Tennessee, to Paducah, Kentucky.
The announcement was made Thursday by Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area Executive Director Carolyn Crawford on the grounds of the Florence-Lauderdale Tourism Office/Visitors Center.
Aug. 20, 2020
Source: Moulton Advertiser
Oakville hosts MSNHA Women’s Exhibit through September
Aug. 2, 2020
Source: TimesDaily
Women of History: Oakville Indian Mounds host pioneering women exhibit
An opera singer from Athens, an astronaut from Decatur, an education activist from Lawrence County and a Grammy winner from East Limestone will be celebrated in an exhibit at the Oakville Indian Mounds Education Center next month.
Curated by the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area and the University of North Alabama, the exhibit, which features informational panels and pictures, opens in Lawrence County on Tuesday and will remain on display through Aug. 31.
July 16, 2020
Source: TmesDaily
Tourism program offers ‘backstage pass’
FLORENCE — A new program designed to help promote the Shoals’ rich music heritage will provide a “backstage pass” to six local music venues.
The Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area and Alabama Music Hall of Fame sponsor the program.
“We’re thrilled and very excited to see this project come to fruition, and I can’t wait to see everyone out there enjoying themselves in the studios,” said Carolyn Barske Crawford, director of the heritage area.
June 30, 2020
Source: TimesDaily
Grants offered to help with digital instruction
FLORENCE — With coronavirus guidelines putting school field trips in doubt, the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area (MSNHA) is offering grants to help teachers and destination sites connect online.
“As a result of COVID-19, organizations across the MSNHA can’t host educational programs or field trips,” Director Carrie Crawford said in a news release. “To help organizations reach students, we’re opening a special education-series grant for developing site-specific digital lessons in partnership with teachers to achieve educational outreach goals while physical visits are limited.”
May 27, 2020
Source: TimesDaily
Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area opens grants applications process
FLORENCE — The Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area will open its application process next week to help communities deal with the impact of COVID-19 on their organizations.
“We will prioritize projects that allow for social distancing and focus on other innovations for navigating our new normal,” said Carrie Crawford, Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area director.
April 7, 2020
Source: https://www.enewscourier.com/
Athens plans to digitize cemetery information
Athens is planning to digitize information about each of its cemeteries in order to improve grave identification and to better preserve records.
Information about Athens city cemeteries will soon be converted to a digital format in order to improve grave identification and better preserve records needed by cemetery employees and the public.
The Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area has given the city a $19,600 grant to buy digitized cemetery software that will preserve historic and current cemetery records, said Holly Hollman, city grant coordinator.
Jan. 30, 2020
Source: Moulton Advertiser
Jackson descendants get preview tour of Jackson House
It’s been a long time coming, but the Jackson House is making significant progress toward opening its doors for private rental. In response to a multitude of calls and inquires about the house and its future role as one of Moulton and Lawrence County’s surviving historic homes, the Jackson House Foundation has done an incredible job in undertaking this project in order for the house and its history to be preserved and shared with the community.
In order to make the improvements done to date, the JHF has held an annual Spring Celebration, a Fall Fling, several raffles, chicken stew sales and other fundraisers. They have also applied for and received grants from individuals and were awarded several grants from the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area, which were instrumental in redoing the kitchen, painting and repairs to the exterior of the house, and other minor repairs.
Jan. 21, 2020
Source: The News Courier
Exhibit honors ‘Women of Limestone’
A new exhibit at the Limestone County Archives pays tribute to the accomplishments of women of Limestone County as this month marks the 100th anniversary of their right to vote.
“Women of Limestone” will be on display in the Archives’ exhibit space through March 31. A companion exhibit, “Women of the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area,” will also be featured at the Archives through Jan. 31.
Dec. 1, 2019
Source: TimesDaily
Study looks at promoting, enhancing Shoals sound
A comprehensive study recommends the Shoals place more focus on music tourism, create partnerships and Shoals-wide regulations in the music industry, and create workforce development in the field.
The study from the international firm Sound Diplomacy also reveals music is a $49 million annual industry in the Shoals and is responsible for 479 jobs. It includes recommendations for enhancing music’s local impact and influence.
Partners helping to fund the study were the Muscle Shoals Music Foundation, Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area, Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, FAME Recording Studios, Florence-Lauderdale Tourism, RCP Companies, University of North Alabama and the cities of Tuscumbia, Florence, Sheffield and Muscle Shoals.
Nov. 18, 2019
Source: TimesDaily
Shoals residents use ‘strategic doing’ to develop next steps for Tennessee RiverLine project
FLORENCE — Shoals residents put their heads together Thursday to take the next steps for the Tennessee RiverLine project.
The project, born out of a student design studio project at the University of Tennessee, aims to develop and promote a multi-modal trail experience along the Tennessee River.
About 20 residents gathered at the University of North Alabama’s east campus for the latest workshop, which used the “Strategic Doing” method to encourage participants to come up with ways to promote the Shoals as a hub for outdoor recreation.
“I think the meeting went really well,” said Carrie Barske Crawford, director of the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area and part of the project’s local team. “It’s great to see people excited and engaged on projects like this. Some really great ideas came out of it.”
Oct. 29, 2019
Source: TimesDaily
Maud Lindsay Free Kindergarten named to National Register
FLORENCE — The longstanding — albeit migrating — Maud Lindsay Free Kindergarten was recently listed on the National Register of Historic Places, thanks to the efforts of a few students at the University of North Alabama.
Established in 1898, the school has rested at four different locations to date, beginning on Wood Avenue and now on Enterprise Street.
It has become somewhat of a family tradition for many to attend, and it’s still serving children in the Shoals area as young as 4 years old.
Students in a historic preservation class with Carrie Barske Crawford, director of the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area, got to work in 2016 to nominate the school for the National Register.
Oct. 16, 2019
Source: TimesDaily
November meeting to address next steps for Tennessee RiverLine project
Progress is continuing to flow for the Tennessee RiverLine partnership, according to project officials.
The project, born out of a student design studio project at the University of Tennessee, took off this summer with five “652 to YOU” meetings, each at a chosen pilot community along the Tennessee River.
“At the July Tennessee RiverLine community engagement event, people had so many great conversations about how they use the river currently, and how they envision engaging with the river in the future,” said Carrie Barske Crawford, director of the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area and part of the project’s local team. “We are excited to see what community-driven projects come out of the November workshop, based on the ideas generated in the July meeting.”
Oct. 13, 2019
Source: The News Courier
Interpretive signs dedicated at Delano Park
Ten outdoor interpretive signs in Decatur’s Delano Park were dedicated Friday during a ceremony hosted by the Delano Park Conservancy.
The new Riverwild signs serve as a tool to inform and educate the public and to share the historical, natural and cultural significance of the Tennessee River.
The ceremony, an official Alabama Bicentennial event, represents the culmination of many years of efforts on the part of many contributors. The project was made possible in part by grants from Alabama’s Mountains Rivers and Valleys Resource Conservation and Development Council and Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area.
Sept. 12, 2019
Source: The Moulton Advertiser
Jackson House steps closer to opening as venue space
The Jackson House Foundation was recently reimbursed $6,550 following the completion of a $13,100 heating, ventilation and cooling project at the historic home earlier this year.
On Thursday, the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area met with the foundation to award the reimbursement grant, which compensated for about half the total cost of the project, JHF Director Tammy Roberts said.
The project included the installation of new HVAC units and new ductwork, according to Roberts.
Sept. 7, 2019
Source: QuadCitiesDaily.com
Pond Spring to host General Joe Wheeler birthday celebration
HILLSBORO-The Alabama Historical Commission and Pond Spring: The Home of General Joe Wheeler invite you to a celebration of heritage, culture and cars. The historic Wheeler home will host the annual General Joe Wheeler’s Birthday Celebration on Saturday, Sept. 14, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Site Director Bruce Lipscombe has partnered with a number of local organizations to create a full festive atmosphere in honor of what would have been the General’s 183rd birthday.
Another featured element for the day includes a sign dedication for new interpretive panels, made possible by a grant from Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area.
Aug. 29, 2019
Source: The News Courier
Sounds of our state: Athens Arts League’s Alabama Music Series pays tribute to state’s soundtrack
Athens Arts League is honoring Alabama-based music with an Alabama Music Series that brings Alabama-based bands to Athens. As part of the series, college and high school students interested in music careers participate in stage setup, sound checks, merchandise sales, photography and marketing so they can gain hands-on experience.
The Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area and current and former members of the Limestone County Legislative Delegation are helping sponsor the Alabama Music Series. The five-concert series will go through January 2020.
Aug. 21, 2019
Source: TimesDaily
Group seeks grant for Village School improvements
SHEFFIELD — City Council members Monday unanimously approved a grant application that would be used to make additional improvements to the historic Village School building.
Village neighborhood resident Greg Harrison, who has performed hours of restoration work on the historic buildings, said the 2020 Historic Sites Grant was prepared and submitted by The Village School Foundation on behalf of the city of Sheffield.
A $10,000 grant from the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area that was matched by $10,000 from the city was used in April to repair damaged roofing tiles and other roof damage.
Aug. 9, 2019
Young Learners Series provides hands-on education outside classrooms
Source: TimesDaily
Summer initiatives like the Young Learners Series are continuing to offer unique experiences outside the classroom that engage and educate students on local history and culture.
The series, offered monthly on the third Saturday, is a collaboration between the Florence Indian Mound Museum and the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area.
Curator Brian Murphy said learners of all ages participate in a brief lesson and activity with a different topic each month. MSNHA helps fund and promote the events.
July 21, 2019
Residents bring ideas, enthusiasm to RiverLine meeting
Source: TimesDaily
FLORENCE–The second of five stops to communities to gather ideas on how to improve life along the Tennessee River has been completed, and organizers say they look forward to culling all ideas to form a plan, both locally and regionally.
“I think it went really well,” said Carrie Barske Crawford, director of the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area. “I think it’s great to learn about how people are already using the river and then how they want to use the river moving forward.”
July 16, 2019
Crawfish in the river ecosystem
Source: Courier Journal
FLORENCE–The Florence Indian Mound Museum in partnership with the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area is hosting a series of children’s activities that help students investigate the early Native-American culture of the Shoals area through interactive learning.
July 4, 2019
Plato Jones to play Saturday event
Source: The News Courier
ATHENS–Athens Arts League is expanding the Fourth of July holiday celebration into the weekend by hosting a free community street party.
The Scout House Street Party with music and food trucks will be Saturday, July 6, from 5-9 p.m. on East Street beside Scout Music House.
Plato Jones, a Tuscaloosa cover band comprised of Athens musicians, will be the headliner.
The party kicks off Athens Arts League’s Alabama Music Series, sponsored in part by the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area and current and former members of the Limestone County Legislative Delegation. The purpose of the series is to promote Alabama-based musicians and provide cultural events for citizens of Athens and Limestone County.
June 13, 2019
Art After Hours is in tune with red, white and blue
Source: The News Courier
Athens Arts League hosts Art After Hours from 7-9 p.m. every second Friday from April through September at High Cotton Arts in downtown Athens. Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area and the city of Athens help support the free community art event.
June 9, 2019
Backers aim to connect communities on Tennessee River trail
Source: WHNT
FLORENCE (AP)–Tourism officials in northwest Alabama say they hope the Tennessee RiverLine project happens soon.
June 7, 2019
Tourism board supports RiverLine project
Source: TimesDaily
FLORENCE–Florence-Lauderdale Tourism board members agreed Thursday after hearing a presentation about the proposed Tennessee RiverLine project that the sooner it gets underway, the better. Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area director Carrie Crawford shared details of the project, saying that the Shoals is one of five pilot communities.
June 6, 2019
Get involved in the Tennessee RiverLine project
Source: TimesDaily
FLORENCE — From Knoxville, Tennessee, to Paducah, Kentucky, the Tennessee River stretches 652 miles and touches four states — Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi and Kentucky. Its 41,000 square mile watershed is home to more than 4.5 million residents, over half of whom live in communities along its banks.
May 19, 2019
Shoals part of group considering Tennessee RiverLine trail system
Source: TimesDaily
FLORENCE — The Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area will host meetings in July to begin developing the vision for a proposed multi-modal trail system that would run the length of the Tennessee River.
The Shoals will join four other Tennessee River communities that will help create a continuous regional trail system from the river’s beginning at Knoxville, Tennessee, to its confluence with the Ohio River in Paducah, Kentucky.
The concept is known as the Tennessee RiverLine and would promote hiking, bicycling, canoeing and kayaking experiences along the river.
April 23, 2019
Culture for the young
Source: Courier Journal
FLORENCE – The Florence Indian Mound Museum through its partnership with the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area is hosting a series of children’s activities. These will help students investigate the early culture of the Shoals through interactive learning.
These programs will cover a wide range of topics and they are suitable for an elementary level age group. The programs will focus on Native American history, culture, and will have a creative component which will engage students in hands-on learning. All events are free.
The astronomy program will take place Saturday, April 27, 10 a.m.
April 6, 2019
Group celebrates completion of Village School roof repairs
Source: TimesDaily
SHEFFIELD — The wooden ceiling of the auditorium of the historic Village School looks brand new, but it’s not.
It’s the same heart pine that was placed there when the structure was built in 1918.
Greg Harrison, a resident of the Village I neighborhood adjacent to the school, points to small hole where water had leaked through the tile roof. He’s glad there weren’t more leaks over the auditorium, but leaks in other places have damaged the interior over the years.
April 5, 2019
Nitrate Village No. 1 school gets new roof–restoration of this historic school on schedule
Source: TimesDaily
SHEFFIELD-On Thursday, April 4 the Muscle Shoals Heritage Area along with Friends of Nitrate Village No. 1 School Revitalization held a press conference to celebrate the completion of roof repair on the 100-year old school.
Carrie Barske Crawford, director of MSHA told the crowd the roofing project has been completed and the next step would be to work on the interior of the historic school. With grants from MSHA of $10,000 and matching funds from the City of Sheffield in the amount of $10,000 and a little extra work from MG Roofing the roof is now sound.
April 4, 2019
Source: Colbert Tourism Facebook page
At a news conference today (4/4) in Sheffield, an update was given on plans to repurpose the old Village School on Pickwick Street.
Carrie Crawford, director of Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area, Sheffield Councilman Steve Stanley and Greg Harrison, president of Village School Foundation, announced the roof of the 100-year-old structure has been repaired by MG Roofing. Now, renovation efforts can focus on the outside walls and interior. The historic school will become a multi-purpose community center.
March 19, 2019
Exploring our local F.L. Wright museum
Source: Courier Journal
FLORENCE — The Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area and Florence Arts and Museums are partnering on a year-long series of presentations and workshops based on our city’s wealth of history buildings, neighborhoods and landscapes.
Feb. 14, 2019
Historical book highlights Tennessee Valley area
Source: Franklin County Times
RUSSELLVILLE — For those who know the history of Franklin County and its borders, its connection to the Tennessee River and TVA is no surprise. For those who were unaware, the program held at the Russellville Public Library Feb. 7 was an educational opportunity.
Feb. 14, 2019
Music-related talks are Saturday
Source: TimesDaily
FLORENCE — Florence/Lauderdale Tourism and the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area will host a series of music panel discussions Saturday beginning at 1 p.m. at the tourism visitor center.
The panel discussions will focus on Muscle Shoals music legends, gospel music and interracial collaborations during the Civil Rights era.
The event is free to the public.
Feb. 12, 2019
Crawford opens Tuscumbia’s bicentennial speaker series
Source: Courier Journal
The city of Tuscumbia’s Bicentennial Commission will kick off its 2019 year-long celebration with a Bicentennial Speaker Series.
The series will begin Saturday, Feb. 16, with a discussion and exhibit depicting the Tennessee River and North Alabama. Carolyn Barske Crawford, co-author with Brian Murphy of their recent release, “The Tennessee River and Northwest Alabama,” will speak at 10 a.m. at the Round House in Tuscumbia. Using images drawn from collections across the state of Alabama, the book examines a range of subjects. These include the Civil War, the construction of Wilson Dam and the nitrate facilities, the coming of TVA to the region and the work of IFDC.
Jan. 31, 2019
Speakers present book at Oakville Education Center
Source: The Moulton Advertiser
The Oakville Indian Mound Education Center hosted a free lecture on Thursday, Jan. 24, featuring guest speakers Carolyn Barske Crawford and Brian Murphy, who co-authored the book, The Tennessee River & Northwest Alabama: A History Through Photographs.
Crawford, the executive director of the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area and a faculty member of the University of North Alabama’s History Department, and Murphy, curator at the Florence Indian Mound Museum, said they began constructing their book about two years ago.
Jan. 29, 2019
National Register presentation is Thursday
Source: TimesDaily
There will be a presentation Thursday exploring the National Register of Historic Place, its significance and criteria for eligibility.
The presentation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Indian Mound, 1028 S. Court St.
Presenters will discuss what the National Register is, the nomination process and address issues of eligibility and benefits of being on the register.
Jan. 24, 2019
Library announces new book exhibit
Source: Franklin County Times
Russellville Public Library will be hosting two programs during the month of February instead of the usual once-a-month Thursday adult program. There will also be two exhibits set up during the first week of February for patrons to enjoy.
The Wade Hall Postcard Exhibit will remain on display for library patrons to peruse until Feb. 8. Starting Jan. 28, the Tennessee River and Northwest Alabama Book Exhibit will also be on display, and it will continue until Feb. 8.
Jan. 22, 2019
Grant helps repair Village School roof
Source: TimesDaily
A $10,000 grant provided by the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Association and additional funds from the city has enabled a new preservation group to continue its efforts to restore the historic Village School building.
The school is located in the Village One neighborhood, which in 1918 served as housing for supervisors, workers and the commander of the U.S. Corps of Engineers group who worked on the nitrate plants on what is now the Tennessee Valley Authority Muscle Shoals Reservation.
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