As mentioned earlier, the laboratory unit and one cottage of the Research Center have been completed. Archaeological material, including skeletons from the Museum’s extensive excavations in the Tennessee Valley Region in Alabama, its earlier work in Eastern Arkansas, surface collections from all over Alabama and from scattered excavations in many parts of the state, has been assembled in especially designed storage racks in the main part of the building. Our plan is to have all of the Museum’s archaeological material, photographs, field notes, and library at this central point, where any part of it may be studied and comparisons made with other parts. Archaeologists are invited to avail themselves of the opportunity thus afforded.
Artifacts of clay, bone, shell, copper, flint, and stone are packed in pasteboard cartons which are numbered according to site and type of material. Skeletal material is packed in butter tubs and pasteboard cartons. All bones have been carefully cleaned, soaked in permanent hardener, and catalogued. All records of excavations, surveys, profiles, field notes, topographic sheets, index catalogues, et cetera are also housed in the building.
We are proud to have such a fine lot of material available in one building.
PICNIC BUILDING
This building, on a high bluff overlooking the Warrior River, was covered in the original master plan for the area. It was made possible through a large donation by two friends of the Museum who wish that their identity be withheld.
The central section of the building is equipped with banquet type tables and folding chairs, having a seating capacity of about 200. In the west wing is a fully equipped kitchen and large barbecue pit. In the east wing are rest rooms, with outside entrances.
Around the building is a large concrete terrace which is equipped with portable tables and built-on seats, each with a capacity of eight people. The terrace will accommodate about 300 people.
Through special arrangement with the Director, the Curator, or the Park Manager, the building may be reserved for picnic groups having their own lunches, or for parties wishing to use kitchen facilities.
Charges for school groups with their own lunches: 10c each; for other parties having their own food: $5.00 minimum, or 10c each, whichever amount is the larger; with somewhat more being charged for use of kitchen facilities, depending upon type of food preparation required.
Coca-Cola dispensing machine is available in the building.