Alabama. Dept of Archives and History.

This finding aid to the ADAH flag collection was created by the Special Collections staff at ADAH in 1992.

From the description of Civil War period flags photograph collection, 1992. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122543223

Authorities:

Statute no. 476, Feb. 27, 1901, Acts of 1900.

Alabama Government Manual, 1982.

Alabama Historical Records Advisory Board. Assessing Alabama's Archives. 1985.

1975 Alabama Code, 41-6-1 to 41-6-53.

The Department of Archives and History has care and custody of official archives, collects historic materials, and performs other library functions which may be pertinent to the storage, maintenance, and restoration of the state's historical documents, artifacts, and paraphernalia.

The Director of the Department of Archives and History is appointed by the Board of Trustees. His qualifications are not specified by law. The Board determines his salary within a statutory limit. He serves a six year term of office. (Ala. Government Manual, 1982)

The Director controls and directs the work of the Department and serves as a Secretary to the Board of Trustees. He administers the official archives of the State, administers all military records for historical purposes, administers the State's historical library, and collects portraits, museum articles, and local historical material. He designates and describes historic spots for monumental purposes and has custody and supervision of the Alabama World War Memorial Building, under the direction of the Director of Finance. The Director serves as Chairman of the County Records Commission and the State Records Commission. He is an ex-officio member of the Alabama Art Commission, the Alabama Historical Commission, the State Capitol Preservation Commission, and the Governor's Mansion Advisory Board. (Ala. Government Manual, 1982)

In 1901, the Department of Archives and History, the nation's first state archives, was established. Specific legally authorized stipulations were made regarding the geographic location of the department; whereas, it was emphatically stated that the department would be located in Montgomery. The objectives and purposes of the original department were the care and custody of official archives, the collection of materials bearing upon the history of the state, and of the territory included therein from the earliest times, the completion and publication of the state's official records and other historical materials. Furthermore the department was authorized to provide for (and expected to be well versed in) the diffusion of knowledge in reference to the history and resources of the state, to encourage historical work and research, as well as the establishment of public school libraries and the strengthening of existing ones.

The department, also, was authorized to bring together and arrange for ready consultation a reference collection of materials for the use of the members of the legislature, state officers, and others on all subjects which may have, from time to time, been deemed of public interest and importance to the people of the state, and the performance of such other acts and requirements as may have been enjoined by law. Furthermore, the original act which established the department stated that the department would be under the aegis of a board of trustees; the act even named the original members of the board. (Code of Ala. 1907)

The basic duties of the aforementioned board were to employ all individuals necessary for the administration and perpetuation of the said department's legally authorized duties. The board was also held responsible for the election of a director who would control and direct the work and operations of the department. Furthermore, the aforementioned director, upon his commission, was to serve a term of six years and until his successor was elected and qualified. (Code of Ala. 1907)

Despite the early legislatively and executively authorized duties thrust upon the department, as well as the public tide of support which was created after the department's origination, the overall state of affairs was quite dim. The department, despite the aforementioned legislative authorizations, lacked a physical setting which could have been considered conducive to the maintenance, storage, and perpetuation of the state's archival holdings. The department, as a result of the original director's ingenuity and concern for the profession, was originally housed at the state capital; however, as was previously stated, this was quite insufficient and detrimental to the department's early endeavors. (Assessing Alabama's Archives, 1985)

In 1923, the number of trustees of the department was increased from the previously authorized nine members to ten as a result of a legislative act. Furthermore, the quest for a new building intensified during this period, eventually to culminate in the late 1930's with the construction of the current State Archives and History Building. (Acts 1923, No. 40, p. 23; Code of Ala. 1923, Sec. 1401; Assessing Alabama's Archives, 1985)

In 1933, concessions were made for the employment of several historical clerical assistants necessary for the administration of the department's legally authorized duties and activities. Among the positions included in this act were those of a curator, clerk, librarian, stenographer, file clerk, statistican, bookkeeper, and one servant, all of whom were subject to the merit system. (Code of Ala. 1940)

In subsequent years, various other concessions were made to the department in order to more adequately facilitate the expedition of the department's previously authorized duties. Once such endeavor was the establishment of the Public Library Service Division of the department in 1939. The endeavors of this particular division were consistent with those previously assigned to the Archives and History; however the creation of a legally authorized division to handle these matters was considered more appropriate to the efficient expedition of the aforementioned "library" duties. The division, in 1959, was established as a separate state agency. Furthermore, several state agencies/commissions have received various degrees of funding, information and/or supervision from the Archives and History. Currently, the Archives and History receives annual appropriations to purchase the equipment necessary to administer the functions of both the County Records Commission and State Records Commission. (Ala. Government Manual, 1982)

Currently the department's Board of Trustees is made up of one member from each congressional district. Members are elected by the Board subject to Senate confirmation. The Governor is a member ex-officio. Qualifications of appointed members are determined by the Board. They serve six-year terms of office, and their compensation consists of expenses as provided by law. The dates of meetings of the board and number of members which constitutes a quorum are not specified by law. (Ala. Government Manual, 1982)

The Board of Trustees adopts rules governing the Board and the Department. Furthermore, it employs a Director, who controls and expends funds appropriated to the said Department. It may also perform other acts deemed pertinent to the expedition and administration of the Department's previously authorized duties and functions. (Ala. Government Manual, 1982)

The Department, notably the first state archival agency of its kind, despite its early misfortunes has persevered. The Department continues to serve its originally conceived purpose: to provide the citizens of the state and nation with a sense of correlation between various historical events (in the state's history) in order to provide a more complete, comprehensive understanding of the overall history of the State of Ala.

In 1986, the Alabama Department of Archives and History, following a department realignment, consisted of these divisions:

Alabama. Department of Archives and History. Records Management Division.

Alabama. Department of Archives and History. Library/Reference Division.

Alabama. Department of Archives and History. Museum/Educational Programs Division.

Alabama. Department of Archives and History. Arrangement and Description Division.

From the description of Agency history record. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 145407617