The Alabama Rural Heritage Foundation & Center is located in Thomaston, Alabama, at the former Marengo County High School. This building, completed in 1909, is the oldest standing county high school in the state. Beginning as a foundation in 1986 and incorporated as a non-profit foundation in 1990, the Center displays and sells traditional folk art and crafts from across the state. The Foundation was created with six basic goals:

To preserve and celebrate rural heritage.

To protect and demonstrate diverse cultural contributions to rural heritage.

To provide opportunities for cultural enrichment.

To encourage economic development which enhances the lifestyle of rural citizens and small town America.

To conserve, develop, and promote the unique handicrafts of rural life, and to exhibit and market these crafts.

To improve and enhance the quality of life for citizens of small towns and rural areas.

 

The Alabama Rural Heritage Center

The Center serves as a community hub and resource to the state and region for developing new sources of income in the area. The Center also works to improve the economic base for the future and to improve and enhance the quality of life for citizens of small towns and rural counties. It has sponsored musical and dramatic presentations, art and craft exhibits, art and exercise classes, lecture series on rural heritage topics, barbecues, and rural activity demonstrations. Rural Fun Day, a festival held at the Center in August each year, showcases the rural lifestyles of the past. Clubs and organizations meet, and community events such as the 5K run, and the Domino Tournament, are held at the Center's facility, which has indoor and outdoor stages, an athletic field, meeting rooms, kitchen facilities, and a barbecue pit. The Center is open to visitors from 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday. Come see the exhibits, visit the Heritage Shoppe, and get the latest information about upcoming classes and events.

The Rural Heritage Center & Rural Studio of Auburn University

In August of 2003, the Alabama Rural Heritage Foundation, and the Rural Studio of Auburn University began a partnership. Five students from Auburn's School of Architecture embarked on a thesis project, designing, renovating, and constructing a new 5,000 square foot facility for the Rural Heritage Foundation and Center. When the new building is completed, it will house the Rural Heritage Center, The Heritage Shoppe, and a Restaurant. The project, nearing completion, will help the Foundation to achieve it's mission of preserving rural heritage, and strengthening Thomaston's economy. More information about the Rural Studio project can be found here.

The Heritage Shoppe

The Center is also home to The Heritage Shoppe, a store which showcases a variety of one-of-a-kind craft items, all made by native Alabama artisans. Handmade quilts, pottery, baskets and paintings are just some of the items available. You will also find "Mama Nems" food products, a unique line of green pepper jelly, red pepper jelly, and watermelon rind pickles, created from produce grown on-site in the Center's garden, and prepared in the Center's kitchen.

The Town of Thomaston, Alabama

Thomaston has a history rich in rural tradition. The area now known as Thomaston is located in the eastern part of Marengo county, and was first settled in the early 1800's by Virginians and Carolinians who migrated to the area in search of land. The community was named in 1892, and the town of Thomaston was incorporated in 1901. For a map with directions to Thomaston, click here.

If you would like to send us email: ruralher@frontiernet.net

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