Fort Payne-DeKalb County Hosting “Making Alabama” Bicentennial Exhibit

Fort Payne-DeKalb County Hosting “Making Alabama” Bicentennial Exhibit

In 1819, Alabama sent a delegation to Washington to apply for statehood, and on December 14^th our United States Congress voted in favor of Alabama becoming our 22^nd state. You only turn 200 once, and honoring the history that changed the world takes time, so Alabama’s Bicentennial Celebration began in March 2017 by Discovering Our Places, which coincides with Alabama’s Territorial Bicentennial.  2018 was the year for Honoring Our People, where we shared the experiences and stories of the individuals who have come here to live together. We conclude our Bicentennial Celebration in Huntsville in December 2019, after a year of Sharing Our Stories all over Alabama.

This Bicentennial Celebration is about more than commemorating 200 years of a government. The State of Alabama exists as a place of unparalleled natural beauty, and it is the home of diverse and distinct people who share a history with unique perspectives and values. It is a sense of shared culture and story.

DeKalb County is celebrating the Bicentennial of Alabama in many ways as well, but one major event is happening during the month of June. The “Making Alabama” traveling Smithsonian style exhibit is being hosted by the Fort Payne Bicentennial Committee right here in Fort Payne, Alabama. The Bicentennial Exhibit is on display at the Hunt Reception Hall in the Coal & Iron Block of downtown at 510 Gault Ave. North, courtesy of Landmarks of DeKalb County.

The “Making Alabama” exhibit will have travelled to each of the 67 counties by the end of this year during Alabama’s Bicentennial Celebration. The exhibit showcases the decisions and turning points that shaped Alabama history, culture, and geography through artistic interactive displays and teaching resources. It provides a living history in audio and visual enhancements at a series of modular display units that each deliver a different aspect of our 200 year history. This exhibit includes Alabama history and a special Fort Payne history section, thanks to contributions from Landmarks of DeKalb County and David Rains.

We are very excited to have the exhibit right in the heart of Fort Payne’s historic district, where it will be open every Monday through Saturday from 10a.m. to 6p.m. until June 28th. We encourage you to come honor our heritage and participate by attending this free exhibit.