MONTGOMERY--It’s one of the most impressive government buildings here on Goat Hill, and every year thousands of people visit the Alabama Department of Archives and History, from Civil War buffs searching historical records to schoolchildren walking hand-in-hand through the striking exhibits in the marble halls. Now The Alabama Experience documentary series takes a behind-the-scenes look at this, the nation’s first state archive, to show you the portraits, battle flags, military uniforms, photographs, and documents from Alabama’s remarkable past. "Holding On To History: Alabama’s Archive" airs at 8 p.m., Thurs., Feb. 25, on Alabama Public Television. The show will be repeated Sunday, Feb. 28, at 1:30 p.m. "Every drawer and box you open here has a story. The lives of people are in there," says Ed Bridges, director of the archive. "What I see here is the incredible way these collections fit together as a whole that tell a story this is beyond the capacity of one mind to take in." Founded in 1901, the Alabama Department of Archives and History became a model for many other states. It was established by Progressives who hoped the preservation and study of Alabama’s history would create a more informed and educated citizenry. The Archive was also created at a time when there was a movement to honor the state’s role in the Civil War. The department now seeks to ensure the preservation of records and artifacts that can tell the story of all people who have contributed to the building of the state. "Holding On To History: Alabama’s Archive" shows how people come to the facility from all over the nation to conduct research. The program also shows the painstaking methods staff members employ to preserve fragile items in the collection. And, in a trip to what some call "Alabama’s Attic," viewers will see many of the extravagant and everyday items at the Archive that help us understand the past and the people who have shaped our state. "Holding On To History: Alabama’s Archive" was produced by Tom Rieland of The University of Alabama Center for Public Television and Radio. More Info on Alabama's Archive || Press Releases || This Month from CPT&R The Alabama Experience || Order Tapes The University of Alabama Center for Public Television For more
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