ChroniCle

N e w s f r o m t h e U N i v e r s i t y o f A l A b A m A m U s e U m s • N U m b e r 3 5 • w i N t e r 2 0 1 0

Alabama Museum of Natural History • Discovering Alabama • Moundville Archaeological Park • Office of Archaeological Research • Gorgas House • Museum Collections

• Emergency Planning• Aldridge Botanical Gardens Partnership• Discovering Alabama Virtual Field Trips• Moundville’s New Docent Training

• Welcome Dr. Amanda Espy-Brown• Museum Time Capsule• Paleontology News

Also in this issue:

Archaeology Provides New Insights into Alabama’s Prehistoric Past

M u s e u M

This summer, the University of Alabama Museums office of Archaeological research (oAr) conducted large scale archaeological excavations at the little Canoe Creek site in St. Clair County in central Alabama. This site was only discovered two years ago and is one of the more significant prehistoric sites discovered in the last 10 years. During the hottest and driest three and half months of 2010, oAr archaeologists identified and excavated more than sixty prehistoric features including hearths, refuse deposits, post holes, stone tool production areas, and the foundation remnants of a prehistoric house structure. The sheer volume of artifacts recovered is truly amazing. The pits and activity areas will provide valuable insight into the prehistory of the area where relatively little information existed previously. The combined information from artifacts and features will help answer questions such as who lived there, how they lived, and how they changed over time.

Artifacts recovered include hundreds of arrow and spear points, tens of thousands of broken pieces of pottery, smoking pipe fragments, stone disc gaming pieces, and stone objects used for processing all manner of food and tools. These artifacts will tell us how the site was being used and what people did there. Although our analysis will be ongoing for months, the initial assessment of these artifacts indicates that the site dates from the Archaic Period, roughly 8,500 BC, to the Mississippian Period, around 1,000 AD. Carbon-14 samples recovered from the site will soon give more precise dates of occupation.

initial studies suggest the site began as a small and temporary hunting camp occupied intermittently, gradually becoming a more permanent village as people developed agriculture. Today, excavations on the scale of this project are relatively uncommon. Therefore, the wealth of knowledge gleaned from the abundance of artifacts spanning such a great time period, is truly priceless. information that will come from the analysis of the site provides not only valuable information on the prehistory of the state, but also gives a voice and tells the story of a little known area and its occupants long since past.

Published periodically during the year by The University of Alabama Museums

robert Clouse, Ph.D.Executive Director

The University of Alabama Museums

Ben Barnett, Board PresidentTuscaloosa, AL

Larry Taylor, Board Vice PresidentMoundville, AL

Prescott Atkinson, Ph. D., M. D.Birmingham, AL

Catherine Sloss CrenshawBirmingham, AL

Darla GravesBirmingham, AL

Tommy HesterTuscaloosa, AL

M U S e U M

ChroniCle

Mike JenkinsMontgomery, AL

Steve JohnsonTuscaloosa, AL

Thomas JoinerTuscaloosa, AL

Eleanor MayTuscaloosa, AL

Douglas McCrawFt. Lauderdale, FL

Tom McMillanBrewton, AL

Beverly PhiferTuscaloosa, AL

Tom SemmesSan Antonio, TX

Marguerite Smith ShortBirmingham, AL

Nick Tew, Ph. D.Tuscaloosa, AL

Terry WatersTuscaloosa, AL

Tom WatsonTuscaloosa, AL

N O V E M B E R

20 Saturday in the Park- Ancient Hunting & Fishing with Cooking–Moundville Archaeological Park, 10:00 am–2:00 pm 25 Moundville Archaeological Park and UA Museums closed 27 Saturday in the Park–Pots and Potters–Moundville Archaeological Park, 10:00 am–2:00 pm

D E C E M B E R

3 UA Museums Board of Regents Annual Meeting, 9:30 am–1:00 pm 4 Saturday in the Park–Finger Weaving–Moundville Archaeological Park, 10:00 am–2:00 pm 4 Docent Training Class–Moundville Archaeological Park, 9:00 am–4:00 pm 5 Holiday Open House–Alabama Museum of Natural History 10 Children’s Christmas Market–Alabama Museum of Natural History 11 Saturday in the Park–Native American Cultural Demonstrations–Moundville Archaeological Park, 10:00 am–2:00 pm 18 Saturday in the Park–Ancient Flutes–Moundville Archaeological Park, 10:00 am–2:00 pm 24 Moundville Archaeological Park and UA Museums closed 25 Moundville Archaeological Park and UA Museums closed 31 Moundville Archaeological Park and UA Museums closed

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ArchAeology provides new insights into AlAbAmA’s

prehistoric past

BoArD of regenTS

The UA Museums family consists of the following:

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virtual field tripOFFeRs ALTeRNATIVe OuTDOOR eXPeRIeNCes2010 is a landmark year for Discovering Alabama. This marks the 25th year that Dr. Doug Phillips has been inviting viewers to “Come along with me as we discover Alabama.” And this year, Discovering Alabama, the Alabama Museum of natural history, and The University of Alabama have introduced the Discovering Alabama Virtual field Trip, a new way for students, teachers, and viewers to take Dr. Doug up on his offer to “explore a land of bountiful backcountry, forests, streams, and wildlife more diverse than can be found in much of the inhabited world.”

The Discovering Alabama Virtual field Trip puts you a mouse-click away from an Alabama adventure with Dr. Doug. Virtual field Trips are organized in the major categories covered by Discovering Alabama programs: geology, rivers, forests, and wildlife. interactive maps further allow you to explore different ways of looking at our state.

The Virtual field Trip is a great way for students and teachers to get ready for the real thing. “This allows me to prepare my class for what they will see and experience when we get outside,” says Ms. J. Baker, 5th grade teacher.

The easiest way to find the Virtual field Trip on the internet is to visit the Discovering Alabama web site at www.discoveringalabama.org, then click on the Virtual field Trip link.

Because at times there are situations beyond our control, Dr. Phillips says, “i’m a great believer in getting outside. But for those times when it’s just not possible to get out, the Discovering Alabama Virtual field Trip is the way to go.”

Prehistoric wall trench house foundation in late stages of excavation.

Completed excavation of prehistoric wall trench house foundation with large storage pit and post holes inside.

Discovering Alabama virtual field trips website

ArchAeology provides new insights into AlAbAmA’s

prehistoric past MOUNDVILLEARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK

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retired and looking for something fulfilling to do? need more volunteer service hours to help gain admission into college or get scholarships? Can you spare us at least one day per month? if so, then Moundville Archaeological Park needs you! With the reopening of our renovated museum, park personnel are eager to train new museum docents this winter. our first docent training class has been scheduled from 9 am to 4 pm on Saturday, December 4th at Moundville Archaeological Park.

Taken from the latin word docens, meaning “to teach,” a docent is someone able to lecture or teach on a particular subject. Museum docents are highly trained volunteers that give in depth tours to visitors or approach individuals or families to provide information and answer questions. Moundville’s docent training session teaches students the fundamentals of archaeology, the prehistory and history of Moundville and its cultural significance, and introduces them to the museum’s new exhibits. We also strive to impart candidates with good communication and interpretative skills.

All materials are provided and a continental breakfast and a box lunch will be served during the program. Several presentations by different personnel as well as a guided tour of the Jones Museum keep the program lively. All potential docents will then shadow experienced guide docents as they give their tours before ultimately conducting a tour on their own. We ask that anyone volunteering for the training be able to give at least one eight hour day per month. for more information or to sign up for the class, email ccumming@ua.edu or call 205-371-8732.

Charlotte Hagood and her husband, Lawrence Rives, taught park visitors how to make corn shuck dolls during the October 30th session of Saturdays in the Park.

Moundville’s new docent training slated for deceMber 4

Moundville saturdaY in tHe parKRemember to shop for unique holiday gifts at the Moundville museum store, Knotted Bird Gifts. We create unique custom made gift baskets such as this Gourmet Sampler, featuring Native American teas, coffees, chocolates, jellies and bread mixes along with our stainless steel Black Warrior Coffee Company travel mug. These gift baskets make a perfect holiday gift for friends, family, employees or business associates. Call Janet Wyatt at (205) 371-2572 to place your custom order today.

One of the many children’s activities offered during Whispers from the Past was gourd crafting. Bowls, rattles and spoons were some of the works created by our young participants at Aldridge Botanical Gardens.

in the 1930s, Alabama State geologist Dr. Walter B. Jones unsuccessfully petitioned the state legislature for funding to develop the Moundville site as a park. it was during the great Depression, and the state was financially unable to take on this monumental task. Jones did not let that deter him from moving forward with his vision for this nationally significant archaeological site. After successfully purchasing the site, he needed a large workforce that could stop erosion at the site, build roads, and construct the park’s museum and administration building. he turned to the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), a federal project started by President franklin D. roosevelt to put over 200,000 young men to work in service to the nation. Through Jones’s relentless efforts, a full CCC camp of 200 workers was established at Moundville in 1938. Upon hearing the news, Jones wrote that it was a “red letter day…We are profoundly grateful that fortune is so cheerfully smiling upon us and we can now look forward with utter confidence

aMericorps nccc at Moundville

to the realization of our fondest dreams and hopes for Mound State Park.”

Considering the important role of the CCC in Moundville’s history, it is quite appropriate that Moundville Archaeological Park has turned to Americorps national Civilian Conservation

Corps (nCCC), a federal program modeled after the CCC, to bring teams of young men and women to the site to

make improvements to park facilities. in the last two years, three teams of 8-10 nCCC members from all across the United States have come to Moundville for 4-8 week rotations. They have reconstructed large sections of wooden boardwalks on nature trails, started construction of a picnic shelter, built wooden

picnic tables, and assisted with the setup for the native American festival. Through their work at Moundville,

these young men and women have developed a great appreciation for this great cultural resource while making

improvements that have been greatly appreciated by park visitors. on november 19, the fourth nCCC team arrived at Moundville to continue the reconstruction of wooden boardwalks.

Moundville forMs new partnersHip witH tHe aldridge botanical gardensMoundville Archaeological Park personnel and representatives from Aldridge Botanical gardens (hoover, Alabama) first met in early April, sharing ideas and discussing partnership opportunities with one another. even before the group met, emails about grants, programs and other potential projects were zooming through cyberspace between Moundville and hoover.

Since then, several seeds were planted and have flourished. Shortly after this first meeting, Moundville education department staff traveled to the gardens and met with educational staff and volunteers there. Working together, Moundville helped rework some of Aldridge’s school curriculum and discussed creating a native American garden at Aldridge with heirloom seeds. We also touched upon developing public programs at the botanical gardens and cooperating on grant writing for such endeavors.

Six months and two grants later, the Aldridge Botanical gardens, in partnership with Moundville Archaeological Park, kicked off Whispers from the Past: A Native American Experience at the hoover house and garden site with a series of workshops, culminating in a Sunday afternoon public program. According to Betsy irwin,

education outreach Coordinator for Moundville Archaeological Park, “We had great weather, great surroundings, wonderful participants and lots of visitors for the Sunday event on october 24th.

Two grants helped fund the happenings. funding from the Cawaco resource, Conservation and Development Council funded 10 different children’s activities related to Moundville and Southeastern indians. These activities ranged from creating artwork on a gourd to making pottery to getting a tattoo similar to those used during the heyday of Moundville. The Alabama humanities foundation grant covered three lectures by Dr. loretta Cormier of the University of Alabama in Birmingham, and also allowed for two Moundville Park staff members to do continuous presentations and demonstrations on natural containers and native American hunting and fishing. All of these activities took place on Sunday, october 24th. over 1,000 visitors showed up on Sunday for a fun filled day of learning.

Moundville Archaeological Park looks forward to more partnering opportunities with the Aldridge Botanical gardens.

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CAHABA RIVER$250-499

Mr. Ben Barnett Dr. and Mrs. Phillip Bobo Dr. Ronald Buta Dr. John Cottier Mr. and Mrs. David Courington Mr. Perry Daley Mr. Charleigh Davis Mr. and Mrs. Hartwell Davis, Jr.Dr. Richard Diehl and Dr. Sue Scott Mr. E. Drummond Dr. Amanda Espy-Brown Mr. Warren M. Brown Commander and Mrs. Lee A. Hallman, USN, RETDr. Arthur Howington Mrs. Doug Jones Mr. James Jones Mr. and Mrs. Peter Lowe Mr. Randy Mecredy Dr. Joan Kirchman Mitchell Drs. Isabel and Jerry Oldshue Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Powers Mr. James and Dr. Jane Rasco Drs. Craig and Elisabeth Sheldon Ms. Elvira Tate Mr. and Mrs. David Turner Dr. Edward Uehling Tuscaloosa Convention Visitors Bureau Mr. and Mrs. Terry Waters

COOSA RIVER$500-999

Dr. and Mrs. Harry BlewittMr. and Mrs. Thomas HesterMr. and Mrs. William Seagrove

SIPSEY RIVER$1,000-4,999 Dr. Robert Clouse Mr. Steve Johnson Mr. and Mrs. Tom Joiner Mr. and Mrs. Tom McMillan, Jr.Dr. Beverly Phifer

EUGENE ALLEN SMITH SOCIETY$5,000 and up

Dr. Herbert BoschungDr. Helen RobinsonMrs. Marguerite Turner

BLACK WARRIOR RIVER$100-249

Dr. and Mrs. Prescott Atkinson Mr. and Mrs. John Bell Mr. and Mrs. Estan Bloom Mr. and Mrs. Robert Boliek, Jr.Dr. and Mrs. Richard Bradt Mr. and Mrs. James Braswell Mr. Jimmy Byram Mr. and Mrs. Michael Camp Dr. Nancy Campbell and Mr. Charles Day Dr. and Mrs. G. Carlson Mrs. Jennifer Charles Mrs. Laura Clouse Mr. and Mrs. Richard Clouse Mr. Patrick Conner Mr. Steve Davis Dr. Joyce Donley Mr. and Mrs. John Duckworth, Jr.Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ebert, Jr.Mr. and Mrs. Lowell Friedman Mr. and Mrs. George Gordon Mr. T. Gray, Sr.Dr. and Mrs. John Hall Mr. Robert Harris Mr. and Mrs. Harold Herring Ms. Susan Hodges Dr. and Mrs. Richard Holland Dr. and Mrs. Gary Hooks Dr. Max Joiner Mr. and Mrs. Bert Jones Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Jones The Honorable and Mrs. Gay Lake

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Land Mr. and Mrs. Will Liddell, Jr.Ms. Dorothy Malaier Dr. and Mrs. John Markushewski Dr. and Mrs. Wayne May Mr. and Mrs. Guy Moman, Jr.Mrs. Eileen Moore Dr. and Mrs. Paul Nelson Mr. and Mrs. John Oliver, Jr.Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Porter Dr. Michael Quinn Mrs. Linda Reynolds Mr. Michael Riches Ms. Traci Robinson Mr. and Mrs. Yetta Samford, Jr.Mr. and Mrs. H. Phillip Sasnett Mr. and Mrs. Ron Sawyer Mr. Charles Scribner Mrs. Susie Simpson Mr. and Mrs. John Steiner Mr. and Mrs. A. Swetman Mr. Stephen Thoma and Amy E. Sandberg Dr. James Thomas Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Thompson Mrs. Marguerite Todorov Dr. Lakey Tolbert Dr. Michael Ursic Mr. Robert Walker Mr. and Mrs. Tom Watson Mr. John White Ms. Clemenceau Williams Dr. and Mrs. James Williams Mr. and Mrs. John Wood

Museums can only be as great as their patrons and the University of Alabama Museum system owes much of its success to our member involvement. recognizing the vital role that Alabama’s rivers play in the beauty and uniqueness of our state, levels of our museum memberships are designated with river names.

As a member you are a critical part of the Museum family. Your contribution allows the Museum to enhance its collections, offer better programs, and serve the public in many ways.

MuseumMembers

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ALABAMA RIVER$40-99 Mr. Frank Adams Ms. Kimberly Anderson Mrs. Amy Armstrong Mr. and Mrs. Ed Avery Mr. Bennett Bearden Drs. Philip and Ellen Beidler Ms. Mary Belmont Mr. and Mrs. John Bolton Mr. and Mrs. James Brazil Ms. Lela Brewer Dr. and Mrs. Edwin Bridges Dr. Richard Brown Mr. and Mrs. Harold Buchmann Mr. Michael Burkhalter Ms. Nancy Callahan Ms. Wendy Carden Mr. Brent Catchings Ms. Stacie Clark Ms. Julie Cole Mr. and Mrs. B.Coleman IIIMrs. JoAnn Cook Ms. Margaret Cooper Ms. Megan Courington Ms. Lowell Craft Mr. D. Crowley Mr. Thomas Culpepper IIIMs. Dorothy Daly Mrs. John Davis Mr. Lewis Dean Mr. Walter Dean, Jr.Dr. and Mrs.Temd Deason

Dr. and Mrs. Martyn Dixon Dr. Charles Edwards, Jr.Mr. Ralph Elders Mr. and Mrs. James Elliott Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Espy Ms. Joanne Ethridge Mr. and Mrs. Richard Evans Mr. Troy Free Mr. and Mrs. Perry Fulton Ms. Molly Gamble Dr. William Gardner Dr. and Mrs. R. Glasgow Mr. Charles Gleaton Mr. and Mrs. Alan Goode Mr. John Goodloe IIIMrs. Lydia Goodman Mrs. Elizabeth Hagler Mr. and Mrs. Michael Hatfield Ms. Channing Howington Mrs. Fay Ireland Ms. Hillary Jeffcoat Mr. and Mrs. Hallie Jenkins Mr. and Mrs. James Joiner Mr. Thomas Kallsen Ms. Joan King Mr. and Mrs. Rodney Kipp Mr. David Kudrav Mr. James Lee Mrs. Rita Lueth Mr. and Mrs. Shelby Mackey, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Madison Dr. Joan Mallonee Mr. Frankie and Tracy Malone Mr. and Mrs. Myles Marques Mr. Robert Martin

Mr. and Mrs. Kyson Mauter Ms. Elizabeth May Mr. David Mays Mr. and Mrs. E. Mason McGowin Mrs. Shirley Mecredy Ms. Jane Miller Ms. Elizabeth Motherwell Dr. David Nelson Mr. John Oldshue Mr. Burton Olshan Mr. and Mrs. Charles Otts Ms. Judith Owings Dr. Rufus Partlow Mr. and Mrs. Joe Pearson Ms. Debbie Pendleton Mr. and Mrs. Roger Pittman Mr. Thomas Potter Dr. and Mrs. Paul Pruitt Ms. Olivia Quijano Mr. Jason Ralls Mr. Rodican Reed Dr. Andrew Rindsberg Ms. Augusta Robinson Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Rogers Ms. Mary Rush Mr. David Russell Ms. Sonja Jean Sanders Mr. and Mrs. Rainer Schad Mr. and Mrs. John Scott, Jr.Mrs. Diana Secor Mr. David Shaw Mr. Carson Shockney Mr. and Mrs. Robert Sholund Mr. James Siske Mr. Garland Smith

Mr. J. Brett Smith Ms. Sydney Sparkes Dr. and Mrs. James Stallworth Mr. and Mrs. Jarel Starling Mr. Richard Stober Mr. Franklin Sullivan Mr. Liam Phillip Swinney Ms. Kaye Thackerson Dr. and Mrs. Joab Thomas Mr. Tim Townsend Mr. and Mrs. Bill Vaughn Mr. and Mrs. Robert Vecellio Mr. and Mrs. Joe Vengrouskie Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Walker Ms. Alecia Wallace Dr. Lloyd Warr Dr. and Mrs. Jerre White Mrs. Brevard Windsor Ms. Hedy Woods

If you feel your name is not listed properly, please contact Carolyn Averett at (205) 348-7551 or caverett@bama.ua.edu.

Thank you for yoursupport.With your help, we can provide programs that explore Alabama’s rivers and caves, fund the Summer expedition and support Discovering Alabama television series, now entering it’s 26th year.

You also make possible the annual Moundville native American festival and workshops on a wide range of subjects.

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Geology intern Colby Henderson with an usual shark tooth from the Black Belt of Alabama.

A hognose snake playing dead at Harrell Station. Fieldwork in the gullies seen in the background recovered shark-bitten bones of flying reptiles.

Volunteer Dr. “Bing” Blewitt and Dr. Sarah Rieboldt from the Geological Survey performing fieldwork at Harrell Station.

Work study student, Alejandro Mendoza, entering data on vertebrate paleontology specimens.

our curator of paleontology, Dr. James Parham, has been very active since joining the museum in february. After leading several field trips to the museum’s paleontological research station at harrell Station in Dallas County in the spring, Dr. Parham spent the summer seeking funds for improving the paleontology collections’ infrastructure as well as for assorted research projects. one of these projects was funded by the national evolutionary Synthesis Center. This award will allow Dr. Parham to lead three workshops, made up of leading scientists from around the world, on the integration of fossils and DnA evidence for understanding the timing of life’s history.

This fall, he has been working with three University of Alabama students in the paleontology labs and collections. geology student intern Colby henderson has been working on the museum’s extensive, and largely unreported, collection of fossil shark teeth from the Black Belt of Alabama. So far, their work has turned up some species previously unreported from the state. nursing student Alejandro Mendoza, a work study student, is helping curate the vertebrate collections and freshman Asher elbein is working on preparing mosasaur specimens in the laboratory. in other news, longstanding volunteer Dr. “Bing” Blewitt is progressing steadily on a comprehensive inventory of the vertebrate collections while helping manage other volunteers.

in october, Dr. Parham attended the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology’s annual meeting, held this year in Pittsburgh, PA. There he gave an invited presentation on the origins and history of fossil sea turtles and how they are impacted by historic global climate change. Since he joined the museum, he has also published two papers on the taxonomy and evolution of lizards from Africa and the Middle east and is beginning work on a review of Alabama’s fossil turtles. look forward to more news from UA Museums paleontology in the upcoming Chronicle.

news froM ua MuseuMs paleontologY

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no matter where in the world a museum is located, it can be threatened by both human and natural disasters, such as hurricanes, tornados, fires, and war. To help minimize the amount of collections material lost, artifacts and documents alike, museums create and implement emergency preparedness plans. These plans provide museum staff and other emergency responders with the procedures to be followed for protection, response, and recovery of collections. With swift, planned action, loss and damage from after-effects, such as mold and water damage, can be greatly reduced. hopefully our plans will prepare our staff and facilities to avoid the catastrophies that some of our colleagues have faced. (see photos)

last fall, the University of Alabama Museums completed the third segment of the American Association of Museum’s Museum Assessment Program that prepares museums for the national accreditation process. The third segment focused on collections management issues. This included the collections housed at the gorgas house, Alabama Museum of natural history, the office of Archaeological research, and the Jones Archaeological Museum.

The assessment identified both strengths and weakness of the collections management practices. one of the weaknesses recognized was the need for an updated and practiced emergency preparedness plan. in response, the Collections Department has been working with other institutions, as well as the University’s emergency Preparedness Director to develop a plan that is fitting for the diverse collections cared for by the University of Alabama Museums. it is the intention of the Collections Department to use this document to increase awareness of the effects of disasters, as well as identify the steps that can be taken, both in advance and afterward, to reduce and mitigate damage to the invaluable collections entrusted to our care.

eMergencY planning for tHe universitY of alabaMa MuseuMs

Colorado State University library stacks following the 1997 flood.

Jefferson Davis Presidential Library with Richard R. Flowers (Acting Assistant Director and Curator) surveying the damage post Hurricane Katrina (Biloxi, MS, 2005)

Image is 19 x 25 with a 2 1/2” white border.

Charles Vanhorn retires from moundVille arChaeologiCal Park

M U S E U M C H R O N I C L E

The three-member staff of the Museum Collections Department recently spent a month compiling an updated inventory of the contents of the gorgas house. This inventory was carried out as a result of suggestions made during the recent Museum Assessment Program (MAP) collections survey by the American Association of Museums MAP Surveyors. The inventory was done primarily to get an updated baseline inventory so that we can now more easily account for the location of every object. in addition, this inventory acted as a first step toward attempting to identify which objects in the house belonged to and/or were associated with the gorgas family and which objects were given to the house to use as period furnishings. over the years, many of the objects were tucked away in wardrobes or dresser drawers and will need to be returned to collections storage where they can be cared for properly.

one of the most spectacular groups of objects in the gorgas house collection is the sixty-five piece Spanish Colonial Period Silver collection, said to have been collected by Col. and Mrs. Josiah gorgas during trips to South America. fourteen hand-held fans were also inventoried. This collection included one small fan made of ivory and mother-of-pearl and used by Miss Mary gorgas as a dance card in Sewanee, Tennessee in 1877. The names of her dance partners, which were written in pencil, are still visible on the fan! A small doctor’s surgical kit thought to have belonged to Mrs. Amelia gorgas’ brother, Dr. Matthew gayle, was found to contain 5 surgical instruments including a scalpel with a gold “g” on the handle. The most personal object recorded was two locks of Mrs. Amelia gorgas’ hair enclosed in a white satin box that was tucked away in an upstairs wardrobe.

our goal is to get all completed inventory forms entered into our database so that this information is easily accessible for collections management purposes as well as for research and exhibit use. The Museum Collections Department would be happy to speak with anyone interested in assisting with this data entry project. for more information, please contact Mary Bade at 348-0534 or mjbade@bama.ua.edu.

gorgas House artifact inventorY coMplete

Top: silver tray and scissor snuffer; Above: ivory and mother-of-pearl fan and silver prayer book cover; Bottom left: doctor’s surgical kit; Bottom right: locks of Mrs. Amelia Gorgas’ hair

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uch of the natural beauty of Alabama is found among its many rivers. To recognize the vital role these rivers play in making our state unique, the University of Alabama Museums has designated gift membership levels with the names of some of Alabama’s best-known and beloved rivers. All membership levels are important to the Museum. We hope you will be as generous as your circumstances allow.

Yes, I/we want to support The University of Alabama Museums

A l A b A m A R i v e R $ 4 0

b l A c k WA R R i o R R i v e R $ 1 0 0

c A h A b A R i v e R $ 2 5 0

c o o s A R i v e R $ 5 0 0

s i p s e y R i v e R $ 1 0 0 0

e u g e n e A l l e n s m i t h s o c i e t y $ 5 0 0 0

My/our membership is enclosed

My employer wil l match this gift

Charge to:

MasterCard Visa

Account Number ______________________________________________

Expiration Date _______________________________________________

My Signature _________________________________________________

Name(s) _____________________________________________________

Address _____________________________________________________

Phone_______________________________________________________

E-mail ______________________________________________________

u n i v e r s i t y o f a l a b a m a m u s e u m s m e m b e r s h i pg i v i n g l e v e l s & b e n e f i t s

Please make checks payable to the University of Alabama Museums and mail to: Box 870340 • Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0340Your annual gift is tax deductible to the extent provided by law. Thank you for your support.

f i r s t l e v e l A l A b A m A R i v e R$ 4 0

t h i r d l e v e l

c A h A b A R i v e R$ 2 5 0

f i f t h l e v e l

s i p s e y R i v e R$ 1 0 0 0

f o u r t h l e v e l

c o o s A R i v e R$ 5 0 0

s i x t h l e v e l

e u g e n e A l l e n s m i t h s o c i e t y$ 5 0 0 0

s e c o n d l e v e l

b l A c k WA R R i o R R i v e R $ 1 0 0

• Unlimited admission (except for special events) to: Moundville Archaeological Park Alabama Museum of Natural History Gorgas House Paul W. Bryant Museum• Membership newsletter• Discounts on Museum programs and Summer Expedition• Membership card and decal• Recognition in newsletter• Invitations to special member events

• Free admission to Moundville Native American Festival• Unlimited admission to Museums for member and 5 guests• Gift membership for one year at Alabama level• 20% discount at University of Alabama Museum Shops• Other benefits as listed in previous level

• Unlimited admission to Museums for member and 10 guests• Three gift memberships for one year at Black Warrior level• Other benefits as listed in previous level

• Unlimited admission to Museums for member and 7 guests• Book on natural history from The University of Alabama Press• Reduced rental rates for Museum facilities• Other benefits as listed in previous level

• Special recognition in Smith Hall foyer• Special Museum excursion lead by Executive Director of The University of Alabama Museums• Unlimited admission to Museums for member and 15 guests• Other benefits as listed in previous level

• Receive Discovering Alabama DVDs• 10% discount at University of Alabama Museum Shops• Other benefits as listed in previous level

M

sMitH Hall tiMe capsule

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Photo (right) of the new Smith Hall Time Capsule. Some of the items that will be placed in it are: Photos from the Smith Hall Homecoming, a centennial medallion and coin, National Championship pin, a fossil collected by EA Smith, a Blackberry phone, and, of course, the cigar that was in the original time capsule....

box 870340Tuscaloosa, AL 35487–0340(205) 348-7550

museums.ua.edumuseum.programs@ua.edu

nonprofit org.u.s. postage

paidtuscaloosa al

permit #16

Alabama Museum of natural history welcomes Dr. Amanda espy-Brown as our new education and outreach Coordinator. Amanda received her Bachelor of Science degree in geology from Auburn University and Masters of Science degree in geography from the University of Alabama. After teaching geology and geography for several years at Middle Tennessee State University, she returned to graduate school at the University of florida where she completed her Ph.D. in geography. Volunteer experiences in Africa motivated her decision to focus her dissertation research efforts on health and nutrition issues in nigeria.

Amanda began teaching in the geography Department at the University of Alabama ten years ago when she returned to Tuscaloosa with her family. She taught both physical and human geography classes and continued her research focus on the ways in which the natural and built environments impact culture and health. She has particularly enjoyed working with local schools in teaching mapping and natural science and continues to be involved in promoting safe walking routes to school in the Tuscaloosa community. She plans to continue teaching classes in cultural geography and medical geography as an adjunct professor.

Amanda is excited about joining the museum staff because it combines two of her passions – teaching and natural science. She feels that the museum with its collections and field experiences offers an opportunity to expose people of all ages to science in a way that is unique. As education and outreach Coordinator she hopes to make

learning natural science fun and engaging. “As a teacher and a mother, i realize the value of engagement in inspiring children and adults to want to know more. Curiosity about the world around us is the most powerful educational tool there is.” Amanda participated in the Museum expeditions as a high school student and credits her decision to study geology to the experience.

Amanda and her husband, Warren, have two teenage sons, Carson and Marshall. They all enjoy outdoor activities, particularly distance running and biking.

welcoMe dr. aManda espY-brown