Edmund Pettus Bridge - USA Today Nomination

We have great news!

Photo from the Alabama Tourism Department

The Edmund Pettus Bridge has been nominated for Best Historic Southern Attraction by USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards.  It is truly an honor just to be nominated.  Think about it.  Out of all of the Southern states, only 20 attractions were nominated for this title.  Out of the 20 nominations, only three attractions were chosen from Alabama.  All three attractions are civil rights sites, but only one has become a symbol of the bravery and sacrifice of the foot soldiers.  Don't get me wrong, each of these sites are significant historic attractions.  But were any others just visited by the President of the United States and his family, former President and First Lady, and over 100,000 other people?  Were any of the other sites broadcast GLOBALLY?

The Edmund Pettus Bridge will be 75 years old this year and the opening celebration was May 24-26, 1940.  The last day to vote for this category is May 25 - coincidence?

Our most famous Selma attraction should no doubt win the title of Best Historic Southern Attraction, but we need YOUR help!  Please follow this link and vote everyday until May 25.  Share with your family, friends, and the media.  We need you!

Bridge Crossing Jubilee

It was such a pleasure to experience the annual Bridge Crossing Jubilee and to witness thousands of people come together to commemorate one of the most important events in our nation's history.

Next year is the 50th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery march and I look forward to walking across the bridge again with thousands upon thousands of people.  The next Bridge Crossing Jubilee is March 5 - 9, 2015, so mark your calendars!  Also, be sure to visit dreammarcheson.com for events leading up to the 50th Anniversary!

Enjoy a few pictures from this year's Bridge Crossing Jubilee:

Mayor George Evans welcomes everyone to Selma at the Welcome Reception

Jimmy Lee Jackson play in Selma

Step Show

Step Show

See you next year for the 50th Anniversary! March 5 - 9, 2015

Dedication and Unveiling of Historic Markers at Tabernacle Baptist Church

On March 1, 2014, Tabernacle Baptist Church held a dedication ceremony and unveiling of historic markers for the National Register of Historic Landmarks.  Dozens were in attendance to witness the event and be among the first to view the historic markers in front of the church.

Pastor Otis D. Culliver welcomes the crowd

Guest Speaker Dr. Bernard Lafayette

Be sure to visit Tabernacle Baptist Church and read the historic markers!

Tabernacle Baptist Church

1431 Broad Street

Selma, Alabama 36701

Jeffrey's Adventure to the Edmund Pettus Bridge

I bet you haven't seen this view of the Edmund Pettus Bridge before!  It is actually very accessible with stairs and clear paths for visitors to enjoy the views.  Jeffrey loves coming down here because it is so peaceful, beautiful, and the view just gets better and better as you keep walking.  If you didn't already know, the Edmund Pettus Bridge became a National Historic Landmark earlier this year due to its significance as a site of a major turning point in the Civil Rights Movement.  Tourists come from all over the world to see the Edmund Pettus Bridge, but they have probably never seen it from this angle.

Jeffrey's Adventure to the Old Depot Museum

The second place Jeffrey went today was the Old Depot Museum, where he learned that the museum was once known as the L&N Railroad Station.  The Old Depot Museum currently houses collections of historic treasures from prehistoric Indians that lived in the area, before and after the Civil War, and from the early days of the Civil Rights Movement.  It displays the various cultures that have contributed to the development of this part of the Black Belt region.

They even have original art by Clara Weaver Parrish and her medal in the main lobby, plus the original emergency room log from the Good Samaritan Hospital on Bloody Sunday!

There is so much history and so much to learn in the Old Depot Museum, so you will have to see it for yourself!  For more information on the Old Depot Museum or to schedule a tour, call 334-874-2197.

Jeffrey's Adventure to the Voting Rights Museum

Jeffrey apologizes for not going anywhere yesterday.  He is scared of the rain and did not want to get out in the bad weather.  So, Jeffrey agreed to let us take pictures of him at two places today!

The first place he went was the National Voting Rights Museum and Institute.  Jeffrey learned so much about the civil rights movement and the struggle in Selma.

The National Voting Rights Museum and Institute offers the United States and the world the unique opportunity to learn from the lessons of the past and to secure our rights for the future. It is a place where past and present struggles and future possibilities can be viewed, studied, felt, remembered and appreciated. It was opened in 1993 and serves as a permanent memorial to the struggle to obtain voting rights (www.nvrmi.com, 2013).

To learn more about the civil rights movement or tour the National Voting Rights Museum and Institute, visit www.nvrmi.com.

Jeffrey's Adventure to Riverfront Park

Did you see Jeffrey at Riverfront Park today?? He spent hours walking on the concrete path along the Alabama River, sitting in the grass, and playing with the birds.  He plans on watching tonight's sunset there because he says it has the best view of the river and the bridge!

Riverfront Park is located a few blocks from the Edmund Pettus bridge.  At the entrance to the park is the newest addition, a gaslight commemorating those who fought in the civil rights movement.  To learn more about the gaslight, view our blog post here.  To learn about the upcoming renovations at Riverfront Park, click here.

Where do you think Jeffrey will go tomorrow?

Gas Light Dedication Ceremony

Today Alagasco unveiled its fifth and final gas light commemorating the civil rights movement in Alabama at Riverfront Park.  The other four gas lights are located in Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Montgomery, and Anniston.  Selma is proud to have been chosen as the final city for the "Lighting the Way" gas light path.

Speakers for the dedication ceremony were President of Alagasco, Dudley Reynolds; Mayor of Selma, George Evans; District Director for Terri A. Sewell, Chasseny Lewis; and Councilwoman Angela Benjamin.

Pictured above is one of the Alagasco employees that was honored to install the new gas light.

The beautiful new gas light will serve as a beacon of hope for Selma and everyone involved with the civil rights movement.  It is a positive addition to our city and highlights how far we have come since that time in Selma's history. 

"The future is bright and full of opportunity."