
Alabama Heritage received the Digital History Award in the Large Project Category from the Alabama Historical Association at its annual meeting in Birmingham. The magazine has digitized a substantial portion of the articles it has published since its debut in 1986.
The AHA Digital History Award recognizes excellence in projects that contribute to promulgating state and local Alabama history by digital means. Projects are reviewed on their delivery of exceptional and hidden information about Alabama’s past using websites, blogs, social media, and other forms of digital media. This is only the second year that the Digital History Award has been given.
The AHA Digital History Award recognizes excellence in projects that contribute to promulgating state and local Alabama history by digital means. Projects are reviewed on their delivery of exceptional and hidden information about Alabama’s past using websites, blogs, social media, and other forms of digital media. This is only the second year that the Digital History Award has been given.
“While both a print magazine and landing site for all things Alabama history, the committee believes Alabama Heritage is a superb resource for historians and the lay public alike,” states Beth Hunter, committee chair and adjunct professor of history at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. “Each reviewer felt Alabama Heritage was an excellent project for its continued efforts and dedication toward preserving Alabama history.”
In 2012, Alabama Heritage made a concerted effort to digitize its then-26 years of back issues, especially those no longer in print. “We wanted to ensure our publication reaches the widest possible audience,” says Dr. Donna Cox Baker, editor-in-chief, “By digitizing our back issues, we are able to provide our features as individual pieces that people can read for enjoyment or use for research.”
Given changes in intellectual property and copyright laws since its launch, the Alabama Heritage team had to reaquire permissions for more than 5,000 images to be used digitally. “When the magazine was founded in 1986, using photographs or illustrations for a website or digital purchase was not on anyone’s radar,” Baker continues. She credits Digital Media Editor Rebecca Todd Minder with the management of this complex project.
In 2012, Alabama Heritage made a concerted effort to digitize its then-26 years of back issues, especially those no longer in print. “We wanted to ensure our publication reaches the widest possible audience,” says Dr. Donna Cox Baker, editor-in-chief, “By digitizing our back issues, we are able to provide our features as individual pieces that people can read for enjoyment or use for research.”
Given changes in intellectual property and copyright laws since its launch, the Alabama Heritage team had to reaquire permissions for more than 5,000 images to be used digitally. “When the magazine was founded in 1986, using photographs or illustrations for a website or digital purchase was not on anyone’s radar,” Baker continues. She credits Digital Media Editor Rebecca Todd Minder with the management of this complex project.

Alabama Heritage was also recently awarded an Honorable Mention at the 2017 Eddie and Ozzie Awards, presented by FOLIO: magazine in New York City. The award was given for the excellence in design for the Winter 2017 issue featuring the cover story of Alabama’s WWI nurses. The cover was designed by Robin McDonald, who has been the creative director for Alabama Heritage since 1991.
Alabama Heritage, celebrating more than 30 years in print, is co-published by the University of Alabama, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and the Alabama Department of Archives and History. The quarterly magazine covers a variety of subjects related to Alabama history and culture, and has garnered numerous local, regional, and national awards over the years. Copies are available for purchase at the University of Alabama Supply Store, at Barnes & Nobles and Books-a-Millions throughout the state, and online at www.alabamaheritage.com. Readers can also follow the magazine on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Google+, and YouTube.
Alabama Heritage, celebrating more than 30 years in print, is co-published by the University of Alabama, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and the Alabama Department of Archives and History. The quarterly magazine covers a variety of subjects related to Alabama history and culture, and has garnered numerous local, regional, and national awards over the years. Copies are available for purchase at the University of Alabama Supply Store, at Barnes & Nobles and Books-a-Millions throughout the state, and online at www.alabamaheritage.com. Readers can also follow the magazine on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Google+, and YouTube.