Alabama Department of Archives and History

The Alabama Department of Archives and History is the nation's oldest state-funded, independent archival and historical agency. More than 800 artifacts, hundreds of images and documents and twenty-two audiovisual programs tell the story of struggles over the land, the rise of a cotton economy, the Civil War, industrialization, world wars, civil rights, the race to the moon and more.

Now in its second century of service, ADAH is mindful of its obligation to preserve the records of its past and to serve the information needs of future generations of researchers.

This department provides the following programs as priority services:

• assistance to state agencies and local governments in the preservation of their records of historical value
• work to preserve modern records in fragile formats such as computer records, photographs and video tapes
• basic educational programs and tours to school children, tourists and interested citizens
• basic reference service
• maintenance of the security of collections held by the Archives
• the use of new information technology to extend the Department's services