ASU Breaks Ground On Interpretive Center
Alabama State University broke ground today on a new building to commemorate the last stop of the Selma to Montgomery March.Â
This project has been in the works for about 10 years now.
It means a lot particularly for those who made that walk all the way from Selma to the capitol.
The new interpretive center will go right next to ASU’s new stadium.
The exhibits will focus on the last night before Dr. King and all the marchers made their way into Montgomery.Â
LaBrenda Thomas was one of those marchers, and she says today was very special for her.Â
“It brings a lot of memories, hard work that we did. As a result, I entered Robert E. Lee High School in September of 1965 as one of the first blacks,” said Thomas.
There are already two interpretive centers along the route, one in Selma and one in Lowndes County.Â
Sandra Taylor, superintendent of the selma to montgomery trail, says that having this site on ASU’s campus is an important part of keeping that history alive.Â
“Young people, which is an audience that we’re trying to encourage to come to the museums, will be right here and in their backyard they’ll have the ability to work at the site and participate in some of the history,” said Taylor.Â
ASU Board of Trustees Chairman Larry Thornton says it’s an honor to have the center break ground on campus, especially as the school approaches it’s 150th anniversary.Â
“And for us to have the opportunity for housing this facility is awesome to give our students the opportunity to see the history,” said Thornton.
Thomas says that it’s important to remember that even though the march is a part of history, the fight for civil rights isn’t over.Â
“We’ve come a good piece, we’ve made changes, I see improvement. But I still think we have a ways to go to reach that stage of equality.”
The site should be ready by August of next year.Â
The 50th anniversary of the selma to montgomery march will take place next March, so the center won’t be ready in time for the celebration.Â
