The Alabama Rural Heritage Center is a regional heritage organization located in Thomaston, Alabama that was established in 1986, but closed permanently as of January, 2022.[1] It was established by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs and local volunteers.[2] The center, now defunct, was headquartered in the old home economics building on the former Marengo County High School campus, which was repurposed by Auburn University's Rural Studio.[3] The center is run by the non-profit Alabama Rural Heritage Foundation, but is no longer operational.
Before closing doors, The Rural Heritage Center housed a combination folk art gallery, theater, restaurant, community meeting place, and a commercial production kitchen.[3] The center produces local food products under the "Mama Nem's" trademark. The recipes for their products were developed with the Auburn University College of Human Sciences through a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grant.
References
- ^ "Welcome to the Rural Heritage Center". The Alabama Rural Heritage Foundation. Auburn University. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
- ^ Parker, Lisa (November 21, 1992). "Center Holds Book Fair". The Tuscaloosa News. Retrieved April 27, 2014.
- ^ a b Martin, Robert C. "Celebrating the Black Belt". Southern Living (February 2008). Southern Progressive Corporation. Retrieved April 27, 2014.