ChroniCle

N e w s f r o m t h e U N i v e r s i t y o f A l A b A m A m U s e U m s • N U m b e r 3 8 • f A l l 2 0 1 1• Alabama Museum of Natural History • Discovering Alabama • Moundville Archaeological Park • Office of Archaeological Research • Gorgas House

• UA Museum Collections • Mildred Westervelt Warner Transportation Museum

• Moundville Festival Welcomes Injunity • Lost Realm of the Black Warrior Wins Award• Moundville Named Americorps Sponsor of the Year • Award Winning Discovering Alabama

• Museum Collections Welcomes Erin Gredell • Office of Archaeological Research • Gorgas House

M u s e u M

Published periodically during the year by The University of Alabama Museums

robert Clouse, Ph. D.Executive Director

The University of Alabama Museums

Ben Barnett, Board PresidentTuscaloosa, AL

Larry Taylor, Board Vice PresidentMoundville, AL

Prescott Atkinson, Ph. D., M. D.Birmingham, AL

Catherine Sloss CrenshawBirmingham, AL

Darla GravesBirmingham, AL

Tommy HesterTuscaloosa, AL

Mike JenkinsMontgomery, AL

M U s e U M

ChroniCle

Steve JohnsonTuscaloosa, AL

Thomas JoinerTuscaloosa, AL

Eleanor MayTuscaloosa, AL

Douglas McCrawFt. Lauderdale, FL

Tom McMillanBrewton, AL

Howell PooleMoundville, AL

Beverly PhiferTuscaloosa, AL

Tom SemmesSan Antonio, TX

Leah Ann SextonTuscaloosa, AL

Craig Sheldon, Ph. D.Wetumpka, AL

Kristie TaylorTuscaloosa, AL

Nick Tew, Ph. D.Tuscaloosa, AL

Terry WatersTuscaloosa, AL

Tom WatsonTuscaloosa, AL

2 M U S E U M C H R O N I C L E

BoArD of regenTs

S E P T E M B E R 5 Museum Closed- AMnh 8 Art in nature-AMnh 15 Art in nature-AMnh 17 natural history with the experts-AMnh 20 College night at the Museum-AMnh 22 Art in nature-AMnh 24 natural history with the experts-AMnh 28 growing Up Wild Wednesdays-AMnh 29 Art in nature-AMnh

O C T O B E R 3 Museum Mondays- Mosasaurs and Mastadons-AMnh 5-8 native American festival-MAP 10 Museum Mondays-hunting for Treasure-AMnh 17 Museum Mondays-Under the Canopy-AMnh 24 Museum Mondays-spiders and Creepy Crawlers-AMnh 26 growing up Wild Wednesdays-spiders-AMnh 29 fifth saturday- A haunting at the Museum-AMnh

N O V E M B E R 11 Veterans Day nature Camp-AMnh 9-13 fusing red earth Pottery gathering-MAP 24 Closed for Thanksgiving-MAP

D E C E M B E R 3 native American Tree ornaments-MAP 4 Museum open house-AMnh 9 Childrens’ Christmas Market-AMnh 24-31 Closed for Christmas holidays-AMnh 24 Closed for Christmas eve-MAP 25 Closed for Christmas Day-MAP 31 Closed for new Year’s eve-MAP

J A N U A R Y 1 Closed for new Year’s Day-AMnh 1 Closed for new Year’s Day-MAP

AMnh: Alabama Museum of natural history MAP: Moundville Archaeological Park

The American Association for State and Local History has awarded Moundville Archaeological Park an Award of Merit from the association’s Leadership in History Awards for the museum exhibit “Lost Realm of the Black Warrior.” Moundville is the only award winner from the state of Alabama.

The award honors the new exhibit in the renovated Jones Archaeological Museum, which reopened in May 2010. The immersive exhibit features over 250 artifacts, life-sized recreated scenes, and a multimedia special effects presentation. The award recognizes the scholarly development and educational effectiveness of the exhibition.

Bill Bomar, park director, said, “To be chosen for this national award is an enormous honor that reaffirms what we have been hearing from our visitors. While our museum may not be one of the biggest around, it is clearly one of the best in the nation. We are grateful to all who contributed in so many ways to make this project possible.”

The Association will confer the honor Friday, Sept. 16 in Richmond, Va., at a ceremony sponsored by The History Channel.

The Americorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) has named Moundville Archaeological Park the 2011 Sponsor of the Year for the 11 state Southern Region. The NCCC is a full-time residential program for men and women, ages 18-24, established to strengthen communities while developing leaders through direct, team-based national and community service.

Moundville Archaeological Park has sponsored multiple Americorps NCCC teams in the last few years. Before this Spring, these teams have worked to improve facilities inside the park. Following the April 27 tornados, however, priorities changed in an instant. The park agreed to house Americorps disaster relief teams to work in storm damaged Tuscaloosa. Multiple teams arrived quickly from across the United States, and soon there were 70 young men and women housed in the park. These teams made an enormous impact in the weeks following the tornado.

Rich Smith of the Americorps NCCC Southern Region praised Moundville at the award ceremony in Vicksburg, MS. “Without any hesitation they opened their doors to host NCCC teams and let us turn it into a disaster base camp. Even with the busy work in a disaster, the sponsor still provided educational opportunities for the teams about the history of the area, walking them through the park and museum.”

MOUNDVILLE WINS NATIONAL AWARD

Moundville Serves as Disaster Relief Base Camp– Named Americorps 2011 Sponsor of the Year

The UA Museums family consists of the following:

3M U S E U M C H R O N I C L E

MOUNDVILLEARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK

The Moundville Native American Festival is pleased to announce our newest gold corporate sponsor, al.com. A comprehensive, web based media company, al.com recently launched a new page for Tuscaloosa and the

West Alabama area. The exclusive online home of Alabama’s top newspapers, including the Birmingham News and the Huntsville Times, it has been Alabama’s market leader in internet advertising for 14 years running. Festival organizers are excited to have al.com on board and to be able to take advantage of many new and exciting marketing opportunities.

And, of course, we are eternally grateful to have so many sponsors reinvest with the festival again this year. Our other gold sponsors include Mercedes Benz, Inc., the Moundville Telephone Company, the Bank of Moundville and Pepsi Cola.

Is your company interested in sponsoring the Moundville Native American Festival? We have flexible packages that offer recognition at several different levels to fit both large and small businesses. If you’re interested or need more information, please call 205-371-8732.

Organizers for the 2011 Moundville Native American Festival are already gearing up for what looks to be a great experience. Held October 5- through 8, this year’s event has new things as well as old favorites to offer visitors of all ages.

The festival’s newest act is Injunuity, a folksy Native American alternative rock band from Ada, Oklahoma. They will perform at the Native American Stage as one of several popular acts on Friday, October 7 and Saturday, October 8. Injunuity incorporates the flute with a modern style of music, giving the listener a relaxing, yet upbeat, fun listening experience with a distinct Native American flavor.

NAMMY nominated and ADDY Award winning Choctaw composer Brad Clonch and ADDY Award winning Chickasaw composer Jeff Carpenter founded the band in 2007. In 2008, after releasing their song Unconquered, the band was featured on XM Satellite Radio and began traveling and performing at different venues across the United States. As a result, the group was nominated for two Indian Summer Music Awards as well as the Native American Music Awards (NAMMYs) and won the 2008 NAMMY for “Best Debut/Duo Group.” They won their second NAMMY in 2010 as “Songwriters of the Year” for their work on the album Fight for Survival.

The music of Injunuity focuses on two things. First it promotes the introduction of Native American music and history into popular culture, helping break stereotypes about Native Americans and the music within the Indian culture. Second, it preserves an aspect of Native heritage – the culturally iconic Native American flute. All music Injunuity performs and composes is rooted in flute music, making this group an unusual genre, fitting somewhere in between folk rock and traditional Native American music.

With a vision to spark a true understanding of what once was and still is Southeastern Indian culture, the Moundville Native American Festival is definitely on the same track. We are excited to have great up and coming musicians such as Injunuity alongside other wonderful performances by hoop dancer Lyndon Alec, historically based dancers, the Warriors of AniKituwah, song birds Jennifer Kreisberg and Pura Fe (formerly of the NAMMY winning group Ulali), storytellers Lewis Johnson and Sandra Faulk and much, much more.

We hope to see you at the 2011 Moundville Native American Festival! If you need more information on the festival, please call 205-371-2234 or visit our website at http://moundville.ua.edu.

Moundville Serves as Disaster Relief Base Camp– Named Americorps 2011 Sponsor of the Year

4 M U S E U M C H R O N I C L E

Alabama Museums fall2011Join us for our Fall 2011 programs at the Alabama Museum of Natural History!

Museum MondaysExperience the Museum in a whole new way on Monday afternoons in October! Students in 3rd, 4th and 5th grades will delve into the Ice Age, learn to Geocache, discover the fascinating fall forest, and uncover the secret lives of spiders and other creepy crawlers.Time: 3:00-5:00 p.m.Cost: $30 for month or $8 a sessionRegistration: E-mail us at programs@ua.edu

Growing Up Wild Wednesdays for Pre-School Children and ParentsOn the last Wednesday of each month pre-school children and their caregivers can come to the Museum for stories, outdoor activities and fun nature projects! Time: 10:00-11:00 a.m.Cost: Free with Museum admissionRegistration: E-mail us at programs@ua.ed

Art in NatureExplore nature and world cultures through art! Middle school students will experience Monet’s landscapes, design African masks, construct animals from materials found in nature, and turn trash into treasures on Thursday afternoons from September 8th through the 29th. Time: 3:30-5:00 p.m.Cost: $40 for month or $12 a sessionRegistration: By calling 348-7550 or by e-mailing us at programs@ua.edu

Natural History with the Experts on UA Game DaysCome by the Museum on home football game Saturdays where experts in a variety of science fields will share their knowledge through hands-on demonstrations and activities. Time: Beginning 3 hours before kick-off Cost: Free

Fifth Saturday ProgramsOn each month with a fifth Saturday, the Museum will have a program designed to be fun for the entire family. On October 29th from 6-8 p.m., join us for a “Haunting at the Museum.”Time: Varies; Please check websiteCost: Free

College Night at the MuseumMonday, September 19th, all college students are invited to see the Museum, enjoy music and refreshments and turn “Trash into Treasures.”Time: 6-9 p.m.Cost: Free

Veteran’s Day Nature CampOn November 11th, students in 3rd through 5th grades can spend the day exploring nature with the Museum. We will play, hike, create and learn!Time: 8:00 – 4:30 p.m.Cost: $25Registration: E-mail us at programs@ua.edu For more information on all of these programs, visit www.amnh.ua.edu.

Photos, top to bottom:

5M U S E U M C H R O N I C L E

Alabama Museums AMNH Expeditions33fall2011

Week Two participants of Alabama Museum of Natural History Expeditions 33

Plesiosaur bone from Greene Co., AL. Position of bone on skeletal reconstruction taken from O’Keefe and Chiappe (Science vol. 333).

Participants sort and identify hundreds of sharks teeth and other fossils from Trussel’s Creek. Two teeth from a type of Ptychodus shark that had never been found in the eastern USA.

University of Alabama student Lynn Harrell excavates the most complete shark fossil ever found in Alabama.

Alabama Museum of Natural History Expeditions 33 was a tremendous success. Between May 31st and June 10th, over 30 participants, staff, and volunteers explored the gullies and creeks of four Alabama counties (Dallas, Greene, Hale, Sumter), collecting hundreds of new fossil specimens for the museum’s collections and exhibits. The finds include marine vertebrates such as marine turtles, mosasaurs (large marine lizards), birds, and fish.

The expeditions got off to a great start as the very first vertebrate fossil found turned out to be one the most important. Within the first few minutes of collecting on the first day, one of the participants found part of a plesiosaur (a type of marine reptile that inspired the Loch Ness Monster). Although the specimen is just part of a juvenile’s limb bone, only about a half-dozen other plesiosaur specimens are known from Alabama.

This year’s expedition was advertised as “Shark Week,” a title that proved appropriate because participants found hundreds of shark’s teeth in the creeks of Greene and Hale counties. Some of these sites have been visited by the museum on expeditions and summer day trips for decades, but even so new discoveries were made. The most important was two teeth from an unusual shark called Ptychodus that fed on hard-shelled prey. These two teeth represent the first specimens of this kind of Ptychodus ever found from the eastern USA.

Keeping up with the “Shark Week” theme, one of the participants discovered the most complete shark fossil from Alabama. The fossil includes over 70 associated vertebrae (backbone pieces) and took two days to excavate. This specimen, and the many others collected by Alabama Museum of Natural History’s Expedition 33 will provide researchers with new data about ancient Alabama for years to come.

6 M U S E U M C H R O N I C L E

The Office of Archaeological Research (OAR) continues to make enhancements to the Alabama State Site File (ASSF), which is the official record of known archaeological sites in Alabama. Continuing a tradition which began with the University of Alabama Museum of Natural History in 1932, OAR’s stewardship of the Site File began in 1976.

The ASSF contains a wealth of information that ranges from Alabama’s earliest Native American inhabitants, to plantations, tenant farm communities, early industrial complexes, historic battle sites, architectural and engineering achievements and historic cemeteries. Not only is the Site File an important living document of Alabama’s cultural heritage and history, but it is also an essential tool for federal and state agencies for seeking compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act enacted in 1966.

Site File records were originally recorded on 5 x 7 inch card forms. Through the years the number of sites and the information contained in each record has grown more robust. The records have evolved from their original format to multi-page hard copy forms, followed by several iterations of digital files in relational databases. Beginning in 2000, OAR launched an online version of the Site File, which

allows qualified professionals and researchers to review previously recorded sites, as well as record new ones into the database. The Site File currently contains records on over 27,000 archaeological sites, and typically adds approximately 500 more newly recorded sites each year. Because of their vulnerability to vandalism and looting, archaeological site location information is exempted from the Freedom of Information Act and is not available to the general public in order to protect these culturally sensitive properties.

Over the last decade, OAR has been diligently mapping all of the areas previously surveyed for archaeological resources in Alabama. Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology, each survey area is plotted on a series of topographic maps, with a corresponding database record that contains information about the nature and findings of the survey. In addition, many of the original survey reports have been converted into Adobe Acrobat (PDF) files that have also been made available online for the professional archaeological community and federal and state land managers.

In our continued efforts to improve the ASSF, OAR has recently partnered with the University’s Office of Information Technology (OIT) to migrate

Archaeological Research

the entire ASSF database over to the University’s computer datacenter. The migration process occurred in several stages and was completed in July of this year. The collaborative efforts of OIT and OAR included transferring the data to more powerful servers at the OIT datacenter, upgrades to all of the software and coding, as well as testing and development of the database and user interface.

The new ASSF system provides increased security of the data and more reliable accessibility for users of the information. OAR staff members still perform administrative duties and database tasks from Moundville, but the technical support and maintenance of the hardware and software are now being handled by the OIT datacenter on the main UA campus. This new partnership is truly an “everybody wins” scenario, as the official Alabama State Site File records are safe, secure, and current in the capable hands of the University’s Office of Information Technology. Online access to the Site File now provides an improved experience for the end user and allows the Office of Archaeological Research to continue providing this important service while allowing more time to maintain our focus on the archaeology of Alabama.

Above, left-right: Map of official Site File records of known archaeological sites; Snapshot of Alabama State Site File online database; Map of area previously surveyed for archaeological resources

G o R G A s H o u s eThe Gorgas House Museum needs your help!The Gorgas House Museum is in the planning stages for the development of a special exhibition about the Museum’s physical changes over time. We need your help to find images from the building’s inception, in 1829, through today. If you have images you would be able to share, please contact Erin Harney at eeharney@bama.ua.edu or 205-348-5906.

After 182 years, you can now the Gorgas House Museum

on Facebook. In an effort to increase visibility of the Gorgas House Museum, the Advertising Media 422 class, led by Justin Combs, proposedmarketing and advertising ideas for the Museum. Included in their recommendations, was the creation of a Facebook page. The Gorgas House Museum now joins the Alabama Museum of Natural History and the Moundville Archaeological Park on Facebook.

Login and “like” us to have the most current UA Museums news and happenings at your fingertips.

uch of the natural beauty of Alabama is found among its many rivers. To recognize the vital role these rivers play in making our state unique, the University of Alabama Museums has designated gift membership levels with the names of some of Alabama’s best-known and beloved rivers. All membership levels are important to the Museum. We hope you will be as generous as your circumstances allow.

Yes, I/we want to support The University of Alabama Museums

A l A b A m A R i v e R $ 4 0

b l A c k WA R R i o R R i v e R $ 1 0 0

c A h A b A R i v e R $ 2 5 0

c o o s A R i v e R $ 5 0 0

s i p s e y R i v e R $ 1 0 0 0

e u g e n e A l l e n s m i t h s o c i e t y $ 5 0 0 0

My/our membership is enclosed

My employer wil l match this gift

Charge to:

MasterCard Visa

Account Number ______________________________________________

Expiration Date _______________________________________________

My Signature _________________________________________________

Name(s) _____________________________________________________

Address _____________________________________________________

Phone_______________________________________________________

E-mail ______________________________________________________

u n i v e r s i t y o f a l a b a m a m u s e u m s m e m b e r s h i pg i v i n g l e v e l s & b e n e f i t s

Please make checks payable to the University of Alabama Museums and mail to: Box 870340 • Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0340Your annual gift is tax deductible to the extent provided by law. Thank you for your support.

f i r s t l e v e l A l A b A m A R i v e R$ 4 0

t h i r d l e v e l

c A h A b A R i v e R$ 2 5 0

f i f t h l e v e l

s i p s e y R i v e R$ 1 0 0 0

f o u r t h l e v e l

c o o s A R i v e R$ 5 0 0

s i x t h l e v e l

e u g e n e A l l e n s m i t h s o c i e t y$ 5 0 0 0

s e c o n d l e v e l

b l A c k WA R R i o R R i v e R $ 1 0 0

• Unlimited admission (except for special events) to: Moundville Archaeological Park Alabama Museum of Natural History Gorgas House Paul W. Bryant Museum• Membership newsletter• Discounts on Museum programs and Summer Expedition• Membership card and decal• Recognition in newsletter• Invitations to special member events

• Free admission to Moundville Native American Festival• Unlimited admission to Museums for member and 5 guests• Gift membership for one year at Alabama level• 20% discount at University of Alabama Museum Shops• Other benefits as listed in previous level

• Unlimited admission to Museums for member and 10 guests• Three gift memberships for one year at Black Warrior level• Other benefits as listed in previous level

• Unlimited admission to Museums for member and 7 guests• Book on natural history from The University of Alabama Press• Reduced rental rates for Museum facilities• Other benefits as listed in previous level

• Special recognition in Smith Hall foyer• Special Museum excursion lead by Executive Director of The University of Alabama Museums• Unlimited admission to Museums for member and 15 guests• Other benefits as listed in previous level

• Receive Discovering Alabama DVDs• 10% discount at University of Alabama Museum Shops• Other benefits as listed in previous level

M

11

Discovering Alabama continues adding to its many awards and honors with the win of two Emmys for the recent program, Discovering Alabama – Oil Spill. To date, Discovering Alabama has produced more than 80 programs and is presently celebrating the series’ 25th year, a broadcast tenure that is among the longest in television history for such programming. New programs slated for production in the coming year include Alabama Model School featuring an innovative Discovering Alabama curriculum being implemented at Woodland Forrest Elementary School, Alabama Fossils highlighting the state’s significant fossil treasures, and a special presentation about the tragic tornado outbreak of April 27th.

conGRAtulAtions discoVeRinG AlABAMA

Your visit to Moundville Archaeological Park or the Alabama Museum of natural history doesn’t have to end at the front door lobby. stay connected with UA Museums online, wherever in the world

you may be! Become a fan on facebook. This is the place to connect with the museums and lovers of natural and American history from around the world.

Connect with Moundville Archaeological Park and the Alabama Museum of natural history on facebook byvisiting our pages and clicking on the “like” button.

box 870340Tuscaloosa, AL 35487–0340(205) 348-7550

museums.ua.edumuseum.programs@ua.edu

nonprofit org.u.s. postage

paidtuscaloosa al

permit #16

Connect with UA Museums on Facebook

Erin Gredell joins the University of Alabama Museums, Museum Collections Department as the Museum Collections Technician for archaeological collections on September 1, 2011. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and a Master’s degree in Anthropology/Museum Studies from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. She replaces Erin Harney who left the Collections Technician position to accept the position of Director of the Gorgas House Museum.

Erin Gredell is originally from Madison, WI, and has worked at the Wisconsin Historical Society as an Assistant Curator since 2007 where she was involved in a large scale re-inventory of the collections. She has a great deal of practical museum collections management experience with archaeological collections, is very well versed in professional museum practices, and understands the record keeping required to carefully manage collections in order to maintain their care and make them available for research and exhibit purposes. Additionally, Erin is extremely familiar with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and was involved with Tribal consultation, research, and preparation of “Notices of Inventory Completion” while at the Wisconsin Historical Society, issues that the Museum Collections Department will have to deal with in perpetuity. Erin is well versed in curating archaeological collections according to Federal Curation Standards (36CFR Part 79) which is important to this position as the Museum Collections Department manages and cares for archaeological collections from at least 12 different federal agencies.

With the addition of Erin to the Museum Collections Department, we are now back to a full staff of three, and look forward to her expertise and insights in assisting us with caring for the UA Museum’s Collections.

eRin GRedell joins tHe AlABAMAMuseuMs collections depARtMent

can we get a caption here to fill up some space?