C O N S E R V A N C Y
SITE UPDATES
Preserving Alabama’s First State Capital SOUTHEAST—The Conservancy is closer to preserving the entire site of Cahawba, near Selma, Alabama, after making four acquisitions over the last six months that total nearly 40 acres. Since 1995, Cahawba has been the target of a long-term Conservancy project to protect the 19th-century remains of Alabama’s first state capital as well as numerous prehistoric sites
Visitors view ruins at Old Cahawba.
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found within the boundaries of the old town. The Conservancy has acquired approximately 240 acres of the nearly 400-acre site. These latest acquisitions have consolidated lands purchased in previous acquisitions so that the northern half and the center of the town are now preserved. The Conservancy’s acquisition includes the Fambro House, one of Cahawba’s two surviving original structures. Cahawba site archaeologist Linda Derry believes the Fambro
House will provide a great many clues in researching the construction of other homes at Old Cahawba that are now in ruins, as well as provide an excellent site for new excavations. Derry expects that the area under and around the Fambro House will prove to be a “time capsule” of information about urban antebellum life in Cahawba. The Conservancy’s work at Cahawba during these projects was made possible by a generous gift from Daniel J. Meador of Virginia, a descendant of the Kirkpatrick family who settled Cahawba, and by financial support from the Cahawba Advisory Committee. As a condition of this support, the Conservancy will transfer these lands to the Alabama Historical Commission for permanent preservation in Old Cahawba Historic Site, where they will be open to the public for interpretation. The Historical Commission also plans to restore the Fambro House to its 1840s appearance and open it to the public after thorough testing by archaeologists and architectural historians. The preserved lands at Cahawba are open to the public from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. daily. Conservancy members can call the park at (334) 872-8058 to arrange for a free tour.
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ALABAMA HISTORICAL COMMISSION
Field Notes
