On Thursday, city leaders marked the kickoff of Historic Preservation Month with a focus on Indigenous history, joined by Mayor Tommy Battle, City Preservation Planner Katie Stamps, Patrick Penn of the Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama, and Brice McGhee of the Poarch Creek Indians of Alabama at Big Spring Park.
The City of Huntsville will observe Historic Preservation Month throughout May with events, programs and storytelling designed to highlight the region’s Indigenous history and honor the culturally significant landscapes that shaped the area long before the city’s founding.
The initiative aligns with the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s theme, “Telling the Full Story of America,” and encourages residents to explore histories that have not always been fully recognized.
As part of Huntsville’s ongoing recognition of America’s 250th anniversary, the city is spotlighting sites of deep cultural importance to Indigenous communities who lived in the region centuries ago. Those locations include Monte Sano Mountain and Park, Ditto Landing, Big Spring Park, Wade Mountain Greenway and lands now encompassed by Redstone Arsenal.
With few surviving physical structures from that era, city officials say the campaign emphasizes land-based storytelling, cultural perspectives and connections shared by present-day Indigenous communities.
“The landscapes we’re highlighting this month have been meaningful for centuries,” Battle said. “Historic preservation isn’t about freezing time. It’s about understanding where we come from, honoring those who came before us and making sure these places remain accessible and relevant for future generations. When we tell the fuller story, we become a stronger, more connected city.”
Stamps said the goal is to help residents view Huntsville’s early history through a more complete and inclusive lens.
“By uplifting Indigenous voices and recognizing these sacred landscapes, we are embracing a more complete understanding of our history, one that respects the people who were here long before Huntsville was established,” she said. “This month is about learning together, listening deeply and celebrating the stories that give meaning to these places.”
The monthlong schedule includes a mix of cultural events and educational programming.
A full list of Preservation Month events is below:
PorchFest Five Points
Saturday, May 2, 3-9 p.m.
Porches along Pratt Avenue will host musicians from Huntsville, Nashville and the Shoals for a unique evening of live performances. Bring a blanket, chair and cooler to enjoy the show! Please do not park on Pratt Avenue.
Discover Downtown Huntsville: Guided Walking Tours
Thursday, May 7 at 5:30 p.m. & Saturday, May 16 at 10 a.m.
Led by City Preservation Planner Katie Stamps, the free Discover Downtown Huntsville Walking Tour brings to life the evolution and history of Huntsville’s downtown commercial district from the City’s earliest settlers to the Space Race and beyond. Attendees will learn about local history, notable citizens and a diverse collection of architectural styles. Central to the tour is how urban renewal impacted Huntsville’s city center and how those changes were a catalyst for national and local preservation movements.
The downtown walking tour begins and ends at the historic First National Bank at 216 West Side Square and lasts approximately 90 minutes. Walking tour participants should bring only what they can carry comfortably (water, sunscreen, light snacks). Spring weather can be unpredictable in Alabama, so dress accordingly!
Telling the Full Story of America: Celebrating Indigenous stories and places in Huntsville
Thursday, May 21, 5:30-7 p.m., Huntsville City Hall, 6th floor
Join us for a panel discussion on land stewardship, oral traditions and modern Indigenous identity and history in Huntsville, as well as a live storytelling performance by Indigenous artists and informational displays on Huntsville’s Indigenous culture.
Residents are encouraged to participate throughout the month and share their experiences on social media using #SavingPlacesHSV.
For more information and a full list of events, visit the Historic Preservation Month webpage.
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