Issue 100, Spring 2011

The image appears to be the cover of a magazine titled “Alabama Heritage.” It’s the 100th issue from Spring 2011. The sepia-toned photograph features Booker T. Washington, who is sitting in a chair with one arm resting on a table, holding what seems to be a book or papers. His face has been obscured by a gray rectangle for privacy reasons. The magazine is published by the University of Alabama, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and the Alabama Department of Archives and History.

Issue 100, Spring 2011

On the cover: Booker T. Washington, founder of Tuskegee University. [Library of Congress]

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Features

“The Uplift of Humanity”: Booker T. Washington in Context

By Robert J. Norrell

Booker T. Washington rose from his childhood as a Virginia slave to become one of America’s most ardent advocates of African American progress. Acclaimed for his abilities as a public speaker and educator, Washington lectured widely and helped establish the Tuskegee Institute, later renamed Tuskegee University. Many people—both black and white—respected his work, and Washington maintained relationships with presidents and industry magnates. However, he also had detractors—white men who felt threatened by the possibility of equality for African Americans, but also some northern black intellectuals who felt Washington’s approach to equality was too patient and accommodating.

A force in his own time, Washington’s legacy has often been ignored or overlooked, dismissed by critics who use contemporary standards to evaluate events of the past. As part of Alabama Heritage’s 100th issue, Robert J. Norrell revisits Washington and his legacy, offering a revised appraisal of this significant leader.

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The image you uploaded is a black and white photograph. It features an individual seated on a chair, wearing a formal three-piece suit with a bow tie. The person’s hands rest on the arms of the chair.
Booker T. Washington. [Library of Congress]

History In Ruins

Text by Robert Gamble, Photography by Robin McDonald 

Along Alabama’s highways and byways, crumbling architectural ruins remind us of the layers of history beneath our feet. Each one tells a story of the ambition, enterprise, and dreams someone had generations ago—and of the inevitable effects of time and change. Robert Gamble and Robin McDonald shed new light on these sites, detailing their history and uncovering their potential. From residences to industrial complexes, railways to resorts, churches to general stores, these sites represent fading facets of Alabama’s landscape and its cultural heritage.

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The image portrays a series of large concrete arches supporting an elevated structure, which appears to be a bridge or viaduct. These repetitive arches create a rhythmic pattern that draws the eye toward the background. The setting is a natural environment with grass and trees surrounding the structure. Additionally, there are man-made objects such as bricks and construction materials near the base of the arches. The lighting suggests either early morning or late afternoon, casting long shadows and giving the concrete a warm tone.
Pineda Island Recreation Center, Spanish Fort. [Robin McDonald]

Alabama Fever: The Land Rush to Statehood

By Donna Cox Baker

Originally part of the Mississippi Territory, the region we now know as Alabama was predominately “Indian country” until 1814, when the Creeks forfeited around 20 million acres for their failure to prevent the “Red Stick” element from warring against the United States. The cession treaty fomented a land rush that brought tens of thousands of white settlers and their slaves to the territory in just a few years. Travel was tedious, irksome, and dangerous—forcing the emigrants to depend upon the hospitality of strangers and the services of the recently vanquished Indians. Lured by fanciful accounts of boundless resources, they were often disappointed to find a few log cabins where they expected towns and swamps where they expected meadows—but they persevered.

Development was hindered by spotty and unreliable communication, and in many instances, the area remained isolated from the rest of the nation. After the Mississippi Territory was divided, Alabamians rushed to secure statehood and the security of federal representation for their own territory, which became the union’s twenty-second state barely five years after the land opened. As a special feature of our 100th issue, Alabama Heritage editor Donna Cox Baker recounts the journey to statehood and the people who made that journey possible in this commemoration. 

The image depicts a historical scene, likely from the 18th or 19th century. Several figures are present, some wearing uniforms that suggest they could be soldiers. One central figure, mounted on a white horse, appears to be addressing the crowd or leading a charge.
This Roderick D. MacKenzie mural from the Alabama State Capitol depicts the surrender of Red Stick leader William Weatherford to Andrew Jackson in 1814. [Alabama Department of Archives and History]
The image appears to be a monochromatic daguerreotype, likely from the 19th century. It features a seated individual. The person wears a dress with puffed sleeves and a full skirt, indicative of an older style. Scratches, spots, and faded areas contribute to its antique character.
Many slave children held the fear of being kidnapped and sold. [Alabama Department of Archives and History]

Alabama Children Confront the Civil War

By James Marten

Although a number of adolescents participated in the Civil War by enlisting in local regiments, most of Alabama’s children spent the Civil War trying to retain as normal a life as possible. Relatively few accounts of their experiences survive, but James Marten has scoured them to provide a look at wartime childhood in Alabama. In addition to the stress of war itself, children often endured the prolonged absence of fathers, scarce provisions, and, in areas where battles occurred, tumultuous surroundings. Despite this, they strove to maintain the routine of everyday life, in some cases even attending school regularly. Throughout it all, they revealed the curiosity, innocence, and resilience of youth. 

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Departments

Alabama Treasures

The Moundville Duck Bowl

By Bill Bomar

A true Alabama treasure, the Moundville Duck Bowl has finally returned to the land of its discovery. The prehistoric artifact, dating from the thirteenth or fourteenth century, remains one of the loveliest pieces of its kind. Although it was discovered in Alabama by Clarence Bloomfield Moore, the Duck Bowl was transported north, where it remained, most recently as part of the collection of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian. The piece is on loan to the Moundville Archaeological Park and Museum through September 2011. For a time, at least, the Duck Bowl has come home. 

The artifact depicted in the image appears to be an ancient vessel. Here are some key observations: Material and Shape: The vessel seems to be made of metal, given its luster and reflective properties. Its shape resembles a rounded bowl with a smooth interior surface. The base is flat, allowing it to rest securely on surfaces. Decorative Elements: Horizontal lines encircle the exterior of the bowl, adding decorative detail. Notably, the handle stands out—it’s designed in the form of a bird’s head and neck. Bird Handle: The bird’s head handle curves elegantly, with intricate craftsmanship. Engraved details suggest feathers, eyes, and a beak. The bird’s head is turned slightly toward its body, creating a graceful design. Possible Significance: This artifact could hold historical value, indicating the culture or period it comes from. It showcases the skill and artistry of craftspeople from that era. Consider whether it was used in specific rituals or daily life practices.
The Moundville Duck Bowl. [Moundville Archaeological Park]

Becoming Alabama

Quarter by Quarter

By Joseph W. Pearson, Megan L. Bever, and Matthew Downs

This quarter’s installment of “Becoming Alabama” delves deeper into those significant periods of Alabama’s history. Joseph Pearson explores the dynamics of Creek culture, where clashes began to arise between those Creeks who adhered to traditional mores and those who advocated a cooperative approach to changing events and circumstances. At the root of all these negotiations was the very nature of Creek cultural identity, which remained threatened by settlers encroaching on native lands and customs. Megan Bever looks at the early events of the Civil War, including the formation of the Confederacy and the fall of Fort Sumter. Moving into the twentieth century, Matthew Downs investigates how southern resistance to integration affected industrial growth and development and Alabama’s economic stability. 

Editor’s Note: Alabama Heritage, the Summersell Center for Study of the South, the University of Alabama Department of History, and the Alabama Tourism Department offer this department as a part of the statewide “Becoming Alabama” initiative—a cooperative venture of state organizations to commemorate Alabama’s experiences related to the Creek War, the Civil War, and the civil rights movement. Quarter by quarter we will take you to the corresponding seasons 200, 150, and 50 years ago—sometimes describing the most pivotal events, sometimes describing daily life, but always illuminating a world in flux. We will wait for the ultimate outcomes as our forbears did—over time.

The image depicts an individual sitting at a desk with various objects. Notably, there’s a model rocket and some papers on the desk. In the background, an image of the Moon is visible, accompanied by a satellite orbiting around it. This scene suggests a theme related to space exploration or science.
Rocket scientist and Marshall Space Flight Center Director Wernher von Braun, pictured here in 1960, exhorted Alabama’s leaders to improve race relations. The state’s resistance to civil rights for African Americans was preventing von Braun from recruiting the best minds to Huntsville. [NASA]
The image provided is a black and white portrait of an individual. The person appears to be wearing a dark jacket with a high collar and a white shirt visible at the neck area.
Albert James Pickett depicted Abraham Mordecai by means of Jewish stereotypes. [Alabama Department of Archives and History]

Portraits and Landscapes

Abraham Mordecai: “The Cradle-Rocker of Montgomery”

By Robert D. Temple

Abraham Mordecai’s role as founder of Montgomery remains clear. However, other details of his life have been veiled by history and corrupted by conflicting accounts. One of Alabama’s few Jewish settlers, Mordecai established an early trading post and a cotton gin in the area that would become Montgomery and earned the trust of the native community, for a time even serving in a diplomatic capacity and negotiating between natives and settlers. Accounts of a falling out between Mordecai and local Creeks offer widely disparate versions of events, leaving historians to puzzle out the true legacy of this settler. 

The image portrays an individual in a vintage setting. The person appears to be mid-motion, with both arms raised and one leg lifted—a suggestion of movement or perhaps dance. The backdrop features ornate decor: patterned wallpaper, framed pictures on the wall, and a vintage sofa or settee with rolled arms. Notably, there’s an object resembling a mannequin hand raised near the left edge of the photo.
Billy Sunday. [Library of Congress]

Southern Religion 

The Basement: Foundations of Alabama’s Largest Christian Youth Movement

By Charity R. Carney

In honor of our 100th issue, Alabama Heritage debuts its newest department, “Southern Religion.” In the first installment of this new department, Charity Carney explores the latest iteration of evangelism in Alabama. Driven by Matt Pitt, Birmingham’s The Basement uses the latest technology to target contemporary youth. At the same time, it draws on an evangelical tradition with deep roots, revealing how even the hottest new thing has origins in our past. 

The picture showcases a single vibrant purple flower with five delicate petals. It takes center stage against a softly blurred background in earthy tones. The flower’s striking yellow stamens stand out prominently at its heart, creating a captivating contrast against the rich purple petals. To the left, there appears to be a small bud or another part of the plant, adding further interest to the composition. Nature’s diversity is beautifully captured here—the vivid hues, intricate form, and harmonious balance. It’s a delightful reminder of the wonders found in even the smallest corners of our world.
Menges’ fame-flower, discovered by Brother Wolfgang Wolf of St. Bernard’s Abbey in Cullman. [W. Mike Howell]

The Natural Journal

Eight Acre Rock

By L. J. Davenport

Sometimes nature’s loveliest gems lurk out of sight, hidden from passersby. This quarter in “Nature Journal,” L. J. Davenport explores one such treasure, the secret garden at Eight Acre Rock. Venture with Davenport into Alabama’s own rock garden, a secluded wonderland too often missed in the bustle of everyday life. 

The book cover features the title “Philip Henry Gosse” in bold, capitalized font at the top. Below the title, there’s a subtitle that reads “SCIENCE AND ART IN,” followed by “Letters from Alabama and Entomologia Alabamensis.” The bottom section includes two lines of text with the names “GARY R. MULLEN” and “TAYLOR D. LITTLETON,” possibly indicating editors or contributors to this edition. The central illustration depicts a plant with yellow flowers and green leaves. Various insects, including butterflies and what appears to be a caterpillar or larva, are perched on the plant. This image could be relevant for those interested in entomology, botany, the history of science, or art in scientific documentation.
The image you uploaded appears to be the cover of a book titled “Letters from Alabama (U.S.) chiefly relating to natural history.” The author is Philip Henry Gosse, F.R.S., and there’s an introduction by Harvey H. Jackson III. The cover features a red-toned illustration depicting a rural scene with trees, a wooden structure (possibly a cabin or shed), and two figures—one seated and one standing.

Reading the Southern Past

Philip Henry Gosse

By Stephen Goldfarb

Reviewer Stephen Goldfarb surveys the work of naturalist Philip Henry Gosse and discusses the long-awaited publication of his work in Philip Henry Gosse: Science and Art in Letters from Alabama and Entomologia Alabamensis (University of Alabama Press, 2010). The book finally “does justice to what might just be the most exquisite paintings of insects in existence,” says Goldfarb. He also discusses the republication of Gosse’s 1859 text Letters from Alabama (U.S.): Chiefly Relating to Natural History, also providing finely detailed imagery of Alabama’s antebellum life—though this time with words.

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