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Bright outlook for "Year of Alabama History" at Old St. Stephens Historical Park The St. Stephens Historical Commission held their annual meeting on Sept. 19 at the Old Washington County Museum and the year's report was only good news. Just a few years ago, St. Stephens was struggling when the state cut funding for the historical site. Governor Riley and State Tourism Director, Lee Sentell have declared 2009, "The Year of Alabama History," and Jim Long and the commission have plans to capitalize on that at St. Stephens Historical Park. Park Director Jim Long, reported that the park income for the past year was $139,347.69. "The park is a growing business," he said. There are presently 43 trailer camp sites. Long said that the potential for the park's horseback riding facilities are "incredible." Right now, there is a 5-mile riding track, but Long believes there is a real potential to add 500 to 600 more acres to the trail soon. There are plans to add more stables and picnic tables along the trail, and tie-ups. Plans for the campgrounds include leveling and landscaping. The staff would also like to add 10 to 12 primitive campsites to the park in the near future. Plans are already drawn to put in 12 additional RV sites, which Long estimates will generate $12,000 to $15,000 monthly. Several new interpretative signs have been put in place at the Old St. Stephens town site as part of the long-range goal of visitors being able to take a self-guided tour there. On the drawing board for the "riverfront development" is a paved road and a floating dock. The group also discussed the possibility for cabins at the top of the bluff, which would have a beautiful view. Long said that power and water are already in place for that addition to park facilities. Recently Lee Sentell and Jim Main, state finance director, visited St. Stephens and made a $125,000 grant to the park in view of the upcoming "Year of Alabama History." George Shorter, of University of South Alabama's archeology department, who has held two student archeological camps in recent years at Old St. Stephens and who continues to carry on archeological work there, told of some of the plans for the grant. Shorter explained that St. Stephens is one of the most pristine archeological sites in the United States. There has been nothing built over the old city, therefore, no additional layers of artifacts to remove. "This was an important site when Alabama was being formed," Shorter said. And he added that St. Stephens is doubly fortunate to have both recreation and history at one site. He said that we are losing part of the site by erosion and one of the first goals is to stabilize the river site to stop erosion. In addition to stopping erosion, the grant will assist Shorter to continue identifying the layout of the streets and the town. Some of the grant money will also be used to construct pavilion like coverings for the archeological sites with a cross walk for visitors to view the dig without disturbing the site. He hopes that these coverings can replicate the general size of the floor of the original buildings. Shorter would like to see day camps for students at St. Stephens for digs and study. He said that it was entirely possible to get corporate financial help to sponsor these. He'd like to see more interpretative signs and volunteers giving tours. One of the items he stresses is increasing local interest in Old St. Stephens. The commission elected officers for the coming year: Mike Breedlove, chairman; Wayne Blackwell, vice chairman; Louise Boykin, secretary; and Robert Grimes, treasurer. They voted to give the park's five fulltime employees a 6 percent raise.
The next public event at St. Stephens will be the annual "Through the Eyes of a Child" in October.
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