Alabama Historical Commission

The Alabama Historical Commission (AHC) was created on August 19, 1966 when Governor George Wallace signed Act Number 168 of the Special Session. Because of a report filed by Albert McKinley Rains, noted Alabama congressman who served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1945 to 1965 and author of With Heritage So Rich, Congress passed the National Historic Preservation Act. The Commission is the agency designated to carry out the state’s responsibilities under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 as amended. The Commission operates under the provisions of the Code of Alabama 1975. The Commission serves as the official state historic preservation office whose mission is to protect, preserve, and interpret Alabama’s historic places. We work to accomplish our mission through two fields of endeavor: Preservation and promotion of state-owned historic sites as public attractions; and, statewide programs to assist people, groups, towns and cities with local preservation activities. State law makes the Commission responsible for the acquisition and preservation of historic properties and education of the public on historic sites in Alabama. The Commission owns and manages 15 historic sites throughout Alabama as public attractions. The properties range from forts, battlefields, and archaeological sites to historic houses and museums. Each year the Commission welcomes over 300,000 visitors to its historic sites. Educational events are held monthly to engage visitors. The statewide program is based on the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and state law makes the Commission responsible for the Underwater Cultural Resources Act, promulgating rules and regulations for the preservation and/or relocation of human remains and funerary objects, and the Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit Act. Federal law makes the Commission responsible for the National Register of Historic Places. Read more at http://ahc.alabama.gov/history.aspx