If you are an Alabama resident or just curious about the history of this region of the country, one of the best resources available to answer your questions is the Alabama Department of Archives and History located on Washington Avenue in the heart of Montgomery. Literally a stone’s throw away from the state’s capitol, the archives department offers a variety of resources for the serious amateur or professional historian, the avid genealogist or those curious about the town or community in which they live. In addition, the archives offers a series of events, activities and programs meant to educate and entertain all age groups.

The Alabama Department of Archives and History was created in 1901 and became the first such agency in the United States. Based on historical data provided by the archives’ website, its basis for origination was centered around three primary interests to the citizens and government within Alabama: the improvement of education with the goal of creating a better informed and more civic-minded citizen base; the ambition to preserve the materials documenting Alabama’s involvement in the Civil War; and the preservation of materials necessary to record and understand the history of the state and its people. The first director of the department and the person most responsible for the push to establish the archives was Thomas Owen. He served as the head of the department for nearly 20 years and set the standard by which subsequent directors have been assessed.

The same ambitious desire to preserve our past and provide opportunities for immersion in our history is at the core of the department today. Certainly that effort can be seen in the massive collection maintained in the archives, but it can also be felt in the new museum and through the programs that are a part of the yearly schedule for the archives. The Museum of Alabama located within the archives gives visitors the opportunity to look into Alabama’s past through artifacts, murals and well-placed displays that feature the human inhabitation in this region. There are also interactive displays for children to dress in period costume, make crafts and learn about the lives of their ancestors. The museum began offering free, themed tours in July, and those will continue through the rest of the year. On Nov. 11, the theme will be Alabama and World War I. On Saturday, Dec. 13, the life of Alabama’s Civil War soldier will be examined.

The Archives Department features events that welcome participation from the public in learning experiences featuring all aspects of Alabama’s past. For example, for the past several years the archives department has featured an annual lunchtime lecture series that has showcased some of the foremost authorities on all aspects of Alabama history. The Architreats series has provided a platform for several noted historians this year including Kathryn Braund, who spoke about the Treaty of Fort Jackson that brought an end to the Creek War. For the remainder of the year, the series will include talks given on Oct. 16, Nov. 20 and Dec. 18. Topics include tourism, the National Forests in the state and slavery during the War of 1812.

The Alabama Department of Archives and History offers ongoing programs that bring life to the history of this state. The facility located in Montgomery offers opportunities for visitors to acquire a hands-on experience with their past, and it is well worth the trip. For more information, consult the state archives website at Archives.State.AL.US.