Human beings face trying times in various ways—either fleeing from the point of contention or facing it head on. We often see only the negatives as the world around us seems determined to implode taking us with it as it goes.

Such has been the case recently for Gulf Coast residents as they braced for the arrival of Isaac, either as a tropical storm or as a full-blown hurricane. And as the hurricane approached our area, I found myself caught up in the potential for possible negative outcomes.

I, along with hundreds of others, managed to complete all the necessary precautions a local resident takes in preparation for the unknown. I found myself thinking more negatively than positively, forgetting that I came to Baldwin County because I loved the area—with all its beauty as well as its potential danger. I began to take stock in all I cherish about the region, and I reflected on why we all choose to remain and weather the storms.

Like most other residents, I was thankful that the results of Isaac’s close encounter with Baldwin County were minimal. The usual concerns of family, friends and property dominated much of my time as the storm approached.

Beyond that, however, my thoughts went to the dedicated people that planned and executed the re-enactment at Fort Mims. The Fort Mims Restoration Association completed another successful event even as Isaac forced its way into the Gulf of Mexico on a path that many believed at the time would bring it directly to our area.

Nevertheless, the 199^th anniversary of the battle at Fort Mims went on as planned, proving the resiliency of the event planners and of those whose attendance proved their devotion to sustaining the event’s legacy.

As the storm passed and we all realized that we had weathered the worst of Isaac, it struck me how lucky I am to live in the community I have chosen as my home. Certainly I am referring to my neighbors, friends and others that make up a community. But there is more; the very culture of the place in which we live surely has meaning, and most certainly Baldwin County is that kind of place. It attracts people and captivates them and, like me, beckons to them to remain and become a part of that culture. As a historian, I have been naturally drawn to this area, which boasts of some of the richest cultural and historical sites anywhere in the United States.

And it is sites like Fort Mims, Fort Morgan, the Village in Daphne and others that come to mind in times of natural disaster. Each hurricane, tornado or flood threatens their existence. What’s more, each of the unique museums within the county that protect and preserve the collections in their facilities confronts the loss of years of collective memory with each passing storm. 

The final result is that I have thought more about what I can do to preserve that history both in my job and in my personal life. In the end, it is up to each community and individuals within those communities to assist the professionals that make preservation their life’s work to ensure the survival of those precious memories. Check with your local museum or library and get involved. They would love to have volunteers that could assist in the preservation effort. Our heritage is significant and valuable, and we would not be the people we are without the knowledge gained through our past. By working together to preserve our history, we can give the next generation the opportunity that we have had to enjoy Baldwin County for what it is and what it has been.