There are many exciting recreation initiatives happening across north Alabama, including the Tennessee RiverLine & Singing River Trail. MSNHA is working with the National Park Service's Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program to develop a master trail-development plan for Colbert County that will help connect communities to both the RiverLine and the SRT plus suggest […]
Join us at the TVA Reservation, Muscle Shoals, 7-10 a.m., as we continue restoring the Native Plant Garden. The Shoals Wildflower Society started the garden in the early 2000s & have maintained it with other local groups, but help is needed! We will prune invasives along the garden's trails as we learn about native plants […]
Help us steward our community's native plant garden at the TVA Muscle Shoals Reservation. Click here to register.
But don't worry -- we'll watch the movie indoors where it's warm! Join the University of North Alabama’s Appalachian Teaching Project in the downtown Courtland Park, 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 17, as we celebrate the history of Courtland and think about its future. Learn about the Singing River Trail & Tennessee RiverLine, play lawn games […]
The Florence Indian Mound & Museum's Young Learners' Series, 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, focuses on Arthur C. Parker, Seneca, a museum director & archaeologist and an early advocate for Native American Heritage Month. The Young Learners' programs explore the early history of the Shoals through short lessons & hands-on learning exercises. Beginning this month, […]
Sick of turkey & shopping? Come join the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area at the historic Shoals Theatre, in Florence, 7:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 25, & dance off some of the stuffing you consumed the day before. Thad & Company will start the show, followed by Lilly Hiatt. Then Billy Allen and the Pollies will […]
The Florence Indian Mound Museum hosts a series of children’s programs exploring 12 Native Americans through their biographies, contributions, hopes & accomplishments. Students will be given a passport and will receive a stamp for each program attended -- awards are given at six, nine & 12 stamps. December's program, 10 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 17, focuses […]
The Florence Indian Mound Museum is collaborating with the Alabama Chapter of the Trail of Tears Association to host a series will focus on different aspects of Southeastern Native American history & culture. Presentations will be both in-person & recorded. Author & lecturer Paul Matheny's presentation will examine the reasons for the removal of the […]
The Florence Indian Mound Museum is hosting a series of programs for students to explore Shoals' early history. The programs explore 12 Native Americans through their biographies, contributions, hopes & accomplishments. Students will be given a passport with the 12 figures & receive a stamp for each program attended. Students who collect six, nine or […]
The MSNHA is excited to bring you the 2023 Bad Kitty Trail run, which has 5K & 10K options. The race will begin on the campus on the University of North Alabama & finish in Wildwood Park. It does include approximately a mile of road running before the trail run begins. At the race's conclusion, […]
After the Bad Kitty 5K/10K Trail Run, 8 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 11, join the after-party from 9 a.m. to noon to celebrate all that Wildwood Park has to offer. We'll have food by Rivertown Coffee, music by Coffee Black, shopping with outdoor & recreation vendors and a silent auction to benefit MSNHA recreation programs. Register for […]
The Florence Indian Mound Museum is hosting a series of children’s programs for students to explore early Shoals history through short lessons & hands-on learning. The programs explore 12 Native American figures through their biographies, contributions, hope & accomplishments. Students receive a passport with the 12 figures & a stamp for each program attended. Students […]
Join in 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 18, as we continue restoring Village One’s School with the Village School Foundation. Each person may contribute in a way they are most comfortable. We'll be cleaning and organizing various sections of the interior and preparing for the next phases of restoration. This may include cleaning, scraping and […]
Become a community paddle leader with the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area! Create accessible & memorable experiences for others to enjoy the natural wonders of the Tennessee River & its tributaries throughout 2023 in the Shoals' RiverTowns program. Whether you are an experienced kayaker or have never touched a paddle, all are welcome to participate. […]
Cultural musicologist Christopher Reali will discuss the process of writing his 2022 book, "Music and Mystique in Muscle Shoals," and what he learned about Muscle Shoals music along the way. Based on years of archival and oral history research, the book is one of the most comprehensive histories of the music that rocked the world.
You asked for longer hikes and we are happy to oblige! Join us for the ladies-only 12.2-mile hike into the Bankhead Forest along the Pine Torch Horse Loop trail. This trail is rated moderate to challenging but will show the beauty that Bankhead never fails to provide. Meet at the trailhead at 9 a.m. and […]
The Florence Indian Mound Museum is hosting a series of children’s programs on the Shoals' early history using short lessons & hands-on learning. The programs explore 12 Native American figures through their biographies, contributions, hopes & accomplishments. Students will be given a passport with the 12 figures & a stamp for each program attended. Students […]
Learn about essential native plants and how they support wildlife at Esther's Eatery & natural wine shop. Everyone goes home with a plant! Wildlife gardening enthusiast Abbie Hyche will highlight five native plants, their benefits to wildlife and functions in the landscape. Everyone will be given a native plant to add to their garden. Additional […]
The Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area is excited to begin our 2023 paddling season with a community paddling event on Cypress Creek! We will learn about the Tennessee RiverLine and the history of Cypress Creek while exploring the creek's waters, watching for wildlife & enjoying an easy, beginner-friendly paddle experience lasting around 2 hours and […]
Join Project Threadways, in Florence, Thursday-Saturday, April 20–22. We'll share stories of those have worked with textiles and in the process created economic opportunity, organized resistance & achieved self-determination. The 2023 Project Threadways Symposium offers discussions, presentations, a sewing circle, tour of Alabama Chanin's The Factory and more. Tickets are here.
Spring is one of the best times to visit Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve – the waterfalls are flowing & wildflowers are blooming. This year is even more special as we celebrate the Lacefield’s donation of Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve to Land Trust of North Alabama. For over 40 years, Jim and Faye Lacefield […]
Join us as we prune invasives along the garden's trails & learn about native plants from Alabama Master Gardener Margie Anderton. Wear closed toe shoes & clothes you don't mind getting dirty and bring a pair of work gloves if you have them. Meet at the pavilion near the garden. Our efforts at the Native […]
The Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area is excited to begin its 2023 paddling season with a community paddle at Second Creek in Rogersville! We will learn about the Tennessee RiverLine, the natural history of the Tennessee River & nearby Joe Wheeler State Park while exploring Second Creek’s waters, watching for wildlife and enjoying an easy […]
This program & activity focuses on Chickasaw chief Tuscumbia, for whom the city of Tuscumbia is named. Tuscumbia sold land to the Dickson family, considered to be the first white family in the area. Tuscumbia, or Tashka Ambi, was also a veteran of the War of 1812, having fought alongside the Americans at the Battle […]
June's Young Learners' Series features Cherokee engineer Mary Golda Ross, the great-great granddaughter of Principal Chief John Ross. Born in 1908, Ross graduated college with a mathematics degree & studied astronomy while earning her master’s degree. She worked for Lockheed Aircraft Corporation during World War II & helped develop a fighter plane. When the space […]
Crystal Gayle concert presented by the non-profit Shoals Scholar Dollars to raise money for local students to attend college. Go here to buy tickets and here to learn more about Shoals Scholar Dollars.
July's Young Learners' Series is about Cherokee chief Dragging Canoe, who led a separatist group to Chickamauga Creek in 1776. Known as the Chickamauga Cherokee, this group resisted American encroachment on its lands. Later Dragging Canoe worked as a diplomat to secure alliances and preserve Cherokee culture. The Florence Indian Mound Museum's Young Learners Series […]
A 10-day long series of primarily music events occurring in and around the Shoals which honors William Christopher “W.C.” Handy and the musical legacy of the “Hit Recording Capital of the World.” The talented musicians of the Muscle Shoals are among the very best. Come and experience the sound for yourself! Go here for details.
Celebrate the end of Shoals Symphony at UNA's 40th season on a perfect summer evening at the Shoals Symphony Summer Soireé. Enjoy chamber music, authentic Dixie-Land Jazz and the world premiere of Warren Ertle's Handy Suite as a W.C. Handy Music Festival kickoff. Appetizers and drinks included. *21 and older. Go here for tickets.
Help us continue restoring Village School in Sheffield, working with the Village School Foundation. Drop in anytime from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 22. Village One's school building is a WWI-era school & community building that's one of the most historically significant buildings in north Alabama. The Village School Foundation seeks to repair the […]
Join us for the third annual Handy Street Party, 6-11:30 p.m., Thursday, July 22, in front of Soul Wingery (rain location is Singin' River Live). This year's lineup is Dos Fuegos, Bold Bloom, Coffee Black, Thad & Co. and Billy Allen & the Pollies. There will be food vendors, and you can go around the […]
W. C. Handy Festival week will get deep, real & completely iconic as Charlie Musselwhite & Travis Wammack -- high school Memphis friends -- share their lifelong personal history in word & music, along with Christine Ohlman, Kelvin Holly & Jerry Phillips (no stranger to Memphis himself, with deep stories of Sun, Graceland & The […]
Native American gathering from Nations across the country. School day is Friday & open-to-the-public day is Saturday. Free admission. Dancing, crafts, food and more. Details to come.
Join the Tennessee RiverLine to explore ideas for enhancing visitor experience at Old Railroad Bridge. The Shoals RiverTown's leadership team -- composed of members from Quad Cities & Colbert County -- selected the Old Railroad Bridge as priority placemaking project for the RiverLine's Community Planning Initiative program (funded by US Department of Agriculture Rural Placemaking […]
Community event with music, art & food to celebrate Leighton native Percy Sledge. Fee admission. Go to Leighton's Facebook page for details.
Join Keep The Shoals Beautiful for the 8th Annual Tennessee River Litter Tournament! Fish for litter in the water, on the shorelines at Riverfront or McFarland Park or anywhere that matters to you in the Shoals. $500 Grand prize to the group with the most volunteers $100 MVP Award for most litter collected (one winner […]
In this month's Young Learners Series, the program & activity will be about Creek Warrior William Weatherford. Also known as Hoponika Fulsahi (Truth Maker), Weatherford was a member of the Wind Clan from the town of Coosada, an Alabama town in the Creek Confederacy. Born into a prominent Creek lineage on his mother’s side, he […]
Join our efforts to restore the Village One School with the Village School Foundation. The building is a WWI-era school & community center that's one of the most historically significant in north Alabama. The Village School Foundation seeks to repair the building so it continues to be a community & educational resource. Each person may […]