The Alabama Historical Commission's strategic plan has four major goals:

	A.	Identify historic and prehistoric places and associated objects of significance to Alabama and United States history
	B.	Protect, preserve, restore and maintain historic and prehistoric places and associated objects of significance to Alabama and United States History
	C.	Promote public awareness of historic preservation principles and practices
	D.	Educate, interpret, and promote Alabama and United States history utilizing historic and prehistoric places and associated objects as the primary illustrations

These goals guide the activities of the agency as a whole.  They also form the basis of the state's comprehensive preservation plan.  This statewide plan contains information that helps local, county, regional, and state organizations preserve our state's cultural resources.

The AHC defined two critical courses of action for Alabama over the next five years:

. make information about historic places and archaeological sites available to the public to aid in protection efforts

. provide quality educational programs on historic preservation issues, methods, and benefits

Goals and Objectives

 

	A.	Identify historic and prehistoric places and associated objects of significance to Alabama and United States 1. Research and document Alabama's historic and prehistoric sites and associated objects and the people and events related to them. 2. Promote and facilitate statewide survey program, including analysis of types, styles, and themes, and provide technical assistance to register and survey programs. 3. Promote and increase national, state, and local register programs. 4. Document thoroughly selected examples of highly significant properties, with emphasis on threatened resources. 5. Enhance public and professional access to repository/data base for cultural resources related material and information.
	B.	Protect, preserve, restore and maintain historic and prehistoric places and associated objects of significance to Alabama and United States History 1. Investigate, for possible acquisition, significant prehistoric and historic sites and properties to interpret to the public. 2. Restore and maintain prehistoric and historic sites interpreted to the public. 3. Acquire prehistoric and historic objects related to sites interpreted to the public. 4. Preserve, manage, and maintain prehistoric and historic objects related to sites interpreted to the public. 5. Expand the use of architectural, historic, and archaeological easement program. 6. Establish and maintain an archaeological program allowing field investigation, laboratory analysis, and report production to respond to critical needs of National Historic Landmarks and sites eligible for or listed in the National Register. 7. Identify and review federal projects to preserve prehistoric and historic resources. 8. Strengthen local preservation planning programs to protect local resources and districts. 9. Promote and use the federal rehabilitation tax credit program to protect historic resources. 10. Provide technical assistance on design and conservation issues 11. Expand participation in the Alabama Main Street program to revitalize historic downtown districts. 12. Strengthen the enforcement of appropriate federal, state, and local preservation laws. 13. Develop and maintain a monitoring program for archaeological and historic sites through networks and cooperation among private and public groups. 14. Purchase and resell threatened landmarks. 15. Seek expanded funding for historic preservation activities.
	C.	Promote public awareness of historic preservation principles and practices 1. Develop and distribute historic preservation information to the public to increase knowledge and skills. 2. Participate in development and implementation of the Alabama statewide comprehensive historic preservation plan and local preservation plans. 3. Establish and maintain constituent organizations and friends groups to advocate historic preservation principles at the local and state level. 4. Increase preservation of endangered properties through such programs as the preservation watch list, landmarks clearinghouse, and Places in Peril. 5. Monitor and influence legislative activity to promote historic preservation goals and objectives. 6. Influence public policy by creating positive public awareness and press concerning historic preservation issues. 7. Provide public recognition for successful historic preservation projects and programs.
	D.	Educate, interpret, and promote Alabama and United States history utilizing historic and prehistoric places and associated objects as the primary illustrations 1. Enhance, operate, and maintain museums and historic sites for public enjoyment. 2. Develop and present interpretative programs to engage and educate the public, such as exhibits and educational programs. 3. Secure adequate funding for historic site operations. 4. Facilitate interaction between state and local agencies and nonprofit institutions on interpretive programs for cultural resources. 5. Create and expand Internet access to promote historic and prehistoric places. 6. Advertise and promote public visitation of museums and historic sites in cooperation with other similar organizations. 7. Produce educational outreach efforts through speaking engagements, newsletters (electronic and print), and other publications. 8. Create and maintain continued educational support by conducting teacher seminars and activities in conjunction with local and national colleges and universities that offer continuing education credits concerning historic preservation programs. 9. Create and maintain publications and media initiatives that make the public aware of historic and prehistoric places and associated objects of significance to Alabama and U.S. history. 10. Create and operate signage program to create public awareness of historic sites. 11. Create cultural tourism opportunities with a focus on authenticity and quality, community values, and preservation efforts.

Links

National Park Service Historic Preservation Planning Program - http://www2.cr.nps.gov/pad/
American Planning Association - http://www.planning.org/
The American Planning Association is a nonprofit public interest and research organization representing 33,000 practicing planners, officials, and citizens involved with urban and rural planning issues.

Association of County Commissioners of Alabama, http://www.acca-online.org

Alabama League of Municipalities, http://www.alalm.org
                                                          
National Main Street Program - http://www.mainst.org/
The National Main Street Center works with communities to revitalize their historic or traditional commercial areas.

Alabama Historical Commission in the face of continuing needs for restoration and maintenance, coupled with the desire to improve the properties' operations, to generate higher levels of attendance and a broader range of uses, to provide an improved visitor experience, as well as to generate additional income decided to undertake a comprehensive planning and evaluation process of its properties. Through a competitive process, the team of Economics Research Associates (ERA), Thomas B. Gallaher, Jr., Heritage Consultant, and Giattina Fisher Aycock Architects of Birmingham was selected to undertake the work. This report contains the consultant team's first phase findings and recommendations. It is in Adobe PDF format, to view the file you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader available free of charge at Adobe's website.