FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association

PHONE: 256.350.3500 / 800.648.5381

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CITY OF ARAB TO HOST SMITHSONIAN EXHIBIT “JOURNEY STORIES”

Decatur, Ala. – The city of Arab will be hosting a visual art exhibition titled “Journey Stories” beginning February 25 at the Arab Historic Village. A collaborative effort between the Smithsonian Institute and the Alabama Humanities Foundation, the exhibit examines how transportation and migration helped build our nation, how it has changed us, and how the mobile world looked to travelers along the way.

The traveling exhibit tells the story of how we and our ancestors came to America, many of which left everything behind to start a new life. Engaging images with audio and artifacts tell the individual stories that illustrate the critical roles travel and movement have played in building a diverse American society.

Along with the traveling Smithsonian exhibit, the public can view a local exhibit that shares Arab’s Journey Story as a community. The local exhibit is sponsored in part by Hawkins Law Firm and includes photos, storyboards, videos, and audio as well as artifacts.

“Journey Stories” and the local exhibit will be on display in the Hunt School House and Rice Church, located at the Arab Historic Village, from February 25, 2012 through April 4, 2012 and will be open to the public free of charge. The exhibit can be viewed Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Groups of more than 25 people are advised to make a reservation by calling 256.586.3138.

In addition, additional activities centered on the exhibit will be offered on Saturdays. A different theme, ranging from life of early settlers and Native American Heritage to modes of travel and music through the decades, will be offered each Saturday. For a schedule of events, visit www.arab-chamber.org and click on “Things to do.”

Journey Stories is part of Museum on Main Street, collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and the Federation of State Humanities Councils, and has been made possible in Arab by the Alabama Humanities Foundation.

Arab Historic Park is located at 232 City Park Drive Northeast, adjacent to Arab City Park. For more information, contact the Arab Chamber of Commerce at 256.586.3138.

About Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association (AMLA)

AMLA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion and development of the travel industry within the 16 northernmost counties of the state. It is supported by 500-plus members consisting of chambers of commerce, Convention & Visitors Bureaus, attractions, campgrounds, festivals, communities, counties, golf courses, restaurants, tour operators, accommodations, vendors, financial institutions and individuals. Counties included within the AMLA region are Blount, Cherokee, Colbert, Cullman, DeKalb, Etowah, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Morgan and Winston. Additional information on North Alabama destinations, accommodations and special events is available by calling 800.648.5381 or by visiting www.northalabama.org.

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