Heritage Forums at Landmark Park

If you have an interest in history, Landmark Park is the place to be each Sunday afternoon during the month of July. Our annual Heritage Forum series will feature guest speakers presenting programs on state and local history. The forums will be presented in the Interpretive Center Auditorium at 3 p.m. and are free with paid gate admission (adults, $4; kids, $3; members, free). Refreshments will follow each session. Sponsored by Wells Fargo. Continuing Education/ Professional Development credits will be granted.

July 15 will feature Exploring Big Mama Thornton: Blues Legend of the Wiregrass  Presented by Ms. Queen Ali, student, and Dr. Jeneve Brooks professor of Sociology at Troy University Dothan. This presentation explores the unique contributions of Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton, the Ariton-born blues singer who first recorded “Hound Dog” (made famous by Elvis) and later wrote and recorded “Ball n’ Chain,” (popularized by Janis Joplin). It will include a discussion of Big Mama’s noted self-taught virtuosity on various instruments and will also feature performance video clips of this famous blues legend of the Wiregrass.

Confederate Alabama Women and Religion will be presented by Dr. Jennifer Trevino on July 22 and After Removal—The Creek Nation Today, presented by Mr. Walter Gowan, will take place on July 29.

Landmark Park, home of the Alabama Agricultural Museum, is a 135-acre historical and natural science park located on U.S. Highway 431 North in Dothan, Ala. For more information, contact the park at 334-794-3452.