THE SHOALS-Local historians and authors Carolyn Barske Crawford, director of the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area, and Brian Murphy, curator at the Florence Indian Mound Museum, will discuss their newly released book, “The Tennessee River and Northwest Alabama,” 6 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 11, at the museum.
Published by Arcadia Press, the book tracks the history of the Tennessee River in northwest Alabama from the earliest people who lived in the area through European settlement, the Civil War, Muscle Shoals nitrate facilities, TVA and to the present.
“During the presentation, we will talk about our research process and highlight some of the images included in the book,” Crawford said.
Copies of the book are $24 each and will be available at the museum. Proceeds benefit the MSNHA.
In addition, the University of North Alabama Archives and Special Collections will present the 1936 film “The Story of the Tennessee Valley Authority and How it All Began at Muscle Shoals.” The film is approximately 32 minutes long.
Crawford and Murphy also will highlight the companion exhibit, funded in part by the Alabama Humanities Foundation. The exhibit is at the Florence Indian Mound through Oct. 14 and then travels to other locations within the MSNHA:
• Oct. 15-29, Muscle Shoals Library, presentation 6 p.m., Oct. 23
• Oct. 29-Nov. 12, Old State Bank, Decatur
• Nov. 12-30, Northwest Shoals Community College Library, Muscle Shoals
• Dec. 3-17, Limestone County Archives, Athens
• Jan. 21-25, Oakville Indian Mound, Danville, presentation 6 p.m., Jan. 24
• Jan. 28-Feb. 11, Russellville Public Library
• Feb. 16, Tuscumbia Depot Museum, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Additional locations and dates will be added, Crawford said.
This free program is sponsored by the City of Florence Arts and Museums, Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area, Alabama Humanities Foundation and University of North Alabama Archives and Special Collections. The Florence Indian Mound Museum, 1028 S. Court St., Florence, is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays and 1-4 p.m. Sundays. Museum admission is $5 adults and $2 children and students. Call 256-760-6427 for details.
Media Release/Cathy Wood, media coordinator & grants administrator/Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area
