National Register of Historic Places Multiple Property Submissions in Alabama facts for kids

Alabama is home to many amazing historic places! These special spots are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which is like a national "honor roll" for buildings, sites, and objects that are important to American history. In Alabama, there are over 1,200 places on this list. Sometimes, many similar historic places are grouped together. These groups are called "multiple property submissions." This makes it easier to understand and protect them. There are 26 such groups in Alabama, covering more than 288 individual historic listings.

Protecting Alabama's Past

What is the National Register?

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the nation's historic places worth saving. It's managed by the National Park Service. When a place is added to this list, it means it's important because of its history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture. Being on the Register helps protect these places and can even help them get funding for repairs and upkeep.

Grouping Historic Places: Multiple Property Submissions

Imagine you have a collection of similar things, like all the old schoolhouses built in a certain way, or all the bridges of a specific type. Instead of listing each one separately, a "multiple property submission" (MPS) lets you list them all together as one big group. This is helpful because it shows how these places are connected and why they are important as a collection. In Alabama, this method helps protect many related historic sites across the state.

Cool Historic Places in Alabama

Alabama has many interesting groups of historic places. Let's look at a few examples that show the state's rich history.

Old Summer Homes in Mobile

In Mobile, there's a group of eight historic buildings known as the 19th Century Spring Hill Neighborhood Thematic Resource. These buildings are from a time when Spring Hill was a popular summer getaway. Wealthy people from Mobile would go there to escape the city's heat and stay healthy. These homes show us how people lived and relaxed long ago.

Covered Bridges of Blount County

Blount County is home to four historic covered bridges: Easley Covered Bridge, Horton Mill Covered Bridge, Nectar Covered Bridge, and Swann Covered Bridge. These bridges are part of the Blount County Covered Bridges Thematic Resource. Covered bridges are special because they have roofs and walls, which protect the wooden structure from weather. They are beautiful examples of old engineering and remind us of how people traveled in the past.

Historic Fire Stations in Birmingham

The Historic Fire Stations of Birmingham group includes ten old fire stations in Birmingham. These buildings are important because they show how fire departments grew and changed over time. They also represent the brave people who worked to keep the city safe from fires. Each station has its own story, but together they tell a bigger story about Birmingham's history.

Schools for a Better Future

The Rosenwald School Building Fund and Associated Buildings group includes six schools across different counties in Alabama. These are Rosenwald Schools. They were built during a time when schools were separate for African American children and often did not have enough money. Julius Rosenwald, who was the head of Sears, Roebuck and Company, helped fund the building of these schools. They provided better education for African American students and played a big part in their communities.

Places of Change in Birmingham

The Civil Rights Movement in Birmingham Multiple Property Submission includes 18 historic sites in Birmingham. These places were very important during the Civil Rights Movement. This was a time when people worked hard to gain equal rights for all Americans, especially African Americans. These sites include churches, parks, and other buildings where important events happened. They remind us of the struggle for justice and the courage of those who fought for change.