History is important to the South.  Some say we obsess on it.  Others say that we can never stop learning and appreciating our past.  Huntsville is deeply seeped in its history and proud of the part it has played in Alabama history and the United States history as well.

Huntsville is proud of its three historical districts in the city:  Twickenham, Old Towne, and Five Points.  Maple Hill Cemetery is the oldest and largest cemetery in Alabama. The Huntsville Pilgrimage Association hosts a Cemetery Stroll the first Sunday in May each year.  Several other events throughout the year celebrate the city and its rich heritage.  

To celebrate its 50th Anniversary in October, 2001, The Huntsville-Madison County Historical Society held a History Festival in the "original" Big Spring Park.  This is the location where John Hunt, whom Huntsville is named after, build his cabin. 

This one-time event included entertainment, booths, lectures, storytelling and dramatizations to not only entertain but education local residents and out-of-town visitors about the city.

Dramatizations included the Frank James Trial, "The River" story, Woman's Suffrage struggles, Ditto Landing's history and John Hunt's legacy.  

Lectures were given in the City Hall's council room by local author Nancy Rohr with the subject "You Can't Get Here from There" and a look at old maps of Huntsville.  Other lectures included Joyce Smith's entertaining look at the "Yankees" in Huntsville and Michael Smith's "The African-American Presence in Huntsville."

The stage was alive with dancers and singers.  

Participating groups included The King IV, St. Bartley Primitive Baptist Church Choir, North Alabama Contra Dance Society, Hoot 'n' Holler Cloggers, Huntsville Community Chorus, The Dance Club, and Audio Radiance Barbershop Quartet.

Storytellers at the History Festival included Janine Barham, Joe Berry, Ramona Hyman, Fred Simpson, and Mack Vann.

Many booths by museums and other organizations demonstrated skills from yesteryear.  The Burritt Museum demonstrated weaving, basketry, and cornhusk dolls.  

Part 2: More Festival