By Seth Armstrong MSNHA Native American Heritage Consultant Spring Park returns to its roots as a place of gathering for Native Americans and Alabamians during the annual Oka Kapassa Festival–a
By Brian Corrigan MSNHA historic-preservation consultant Photos by Dick Cooper, used with permission Beloved Shoals-based musician and songwriter Donnie Fritts, a pioneer of “country soul” whose songs have been recorded
By Billy Warren Florence City Historian No one ever said that a Renaissance Faire could not be set in motion after only three months of planning. At least, no one
By Lee Freeman, Florence-Lauderdale Public Library, Local History-Genealogy Dept. One of the factories which put Florence on the map in the late 19th-early 20th centuries was the Florence Wagon Works,
By Brian Dempsey, Ph.D. Assistant professor of history & director of the Public History Center University of North Alabama, Florence In collaboration with photographer James Startt Slightly revised from “Music
A House Divided: Lauderdale Countians and the Civil War By Lee Freeman, Florence-Lauderdale Public Library, Local History-Genealogy Dept. Florence’s Confederate monument outside the present (third) courthouse might cause
By Lee Freeman Florence-Lauderdale Public Library Local History-Genealogy Dept. Florence native Lee Freeman has been the local historian-genealogist at the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library since 1997. The author of one book
It’s the season for graduations & get-togethers & other good reasons for a northwest-Alabama road trip. If you’re headed to any of MSNHA’s six counties, you’ll want these recommendations from
By Cathy Wood, MSNHA media coordinator Whether you live in northwest Alabama & want spring-break ideas close to home or you live farther away & are making the MSNHA your
By Katie Randall, MSNHA historic-preservation consultant What do you think of when you think of a historic walking tour: pamphlets and brochures with a map guiding you from site to
By Cathy Wood, MSNHA media coordinator Welcome to the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area blog! We’re glad you stopped by. This is your VIP access to what makes northwest Alabama