Coastal Alabama Community College’s Office of Library Services, in partnership with the Kathryn Tucker Windham Museum, is excited to announce a collaborative event with the University of South Alabama’s Archaeology Department. The presentation will delve into the work undertaken by the department as part of the Down the Bay Oral History and I-10 River Bridge Projects.

This presentation will showcase oral interviews and artifacts discovered in the area, shedding light on the rich history of the region. The event will take place at the Tombigbee Conference Center on the Thomasville campus, February 8 at 12:30 p.m., and is open to the public, as well as students, faculty, and staff. Admission is free, providing a unique opportunity for the community to engage with the USA’s archaeological endeavors.

Coastal Alabama is proud to share this extraordinary collection of regional history, especially in honor of Black History Month. The impact of the I-10 development on the thriving interracial community in Mobile is a central focus of the Down the Bay Oral History Project.

Many families in Coastal Alabama’s upper communities have ties to individuals and families affected by the transformation of Down the Bay. Once a vibrant, interracial community around the turn of the century with numerous Black and immigrant-owned businesses, Down the Bay underwent significant changes in the 1960s and 1970s due to the construction of I-10 and urban renewal efforts.

The oral history project aims to preserve memories of Down the Bay, creating a public archive of stories from before and after this transformative period. To explore more about the oral history project, please visit https://link.edgepilot.com/s/c6c48e9e/aMTWdVn7ykqGoINyGatRdg?u=https://www.southalabama.edu/org/archaeology/i-10-archaeology-project.html.

Join us for an evening of exploration and reflection as we uncover the untold stories of Down the Bay and the impact of the I-10 River Bridge Project. For more information about the event, contact Kelly Gates Elmore, Coordinator of Library Services & the Kathryn Tucker Windham Museum at 334-637-3147, 334-637-3146, or [email protected].