Projects

In addition to sponsoring speakers, conferences, concerts, and other events, the Summersell Center has a number of ongoing research projects and several others in early stages of development. Current standing research projects include:

“Becoming Alabama” and “Southern Religion” Departments, Alabama Heritage Magazine
The Summersell Center sponsors two standing departments of Alabama Heritage, a quarterly magazine that explores Alabama’s history and culture. Sponsored in cooperation with the University of Alabama Department of History and the Alabama Tourism Department, “Becoming Alabama” commemorates Alabama’s experiences related to the Creek War, the Civil War, and the Civil Rights Movement by publishing short essays describing facets of Alabama’s history as it was 200, 150, and 50 years ago. “Southern Religion,” meanwhile, explores the varied faiths and people of faith who have contributed to Alabama’s cultural heritage from the earliest years of human habitation.

Scottsboro Boys Museum and Cultural Center
The Summersell Center participates in and supports the ongoing development of the Scottsboro Boys Museum and Cultural Center. Established by the Scottsboro/Jackson Multi-Cultural Heritage Foundation and opened in 2010, the museum commemorates the lives and legacy of nine young African Americans who, in the 1930s, became international symbols of race-based injustice in the American South, and celebrates the positive actions of those of all colors, creeds and origins who have taken a stand against the tyranny of racial oppression. Working in partnership with the Multi-Cultural Heritage Foundation, a consortium of higher-education institutions throughout the state of Alabama, the Jackson County Legislative Delegation, and the Jackson county Chamber of Commerce, the Summersell Center contributes resources and scholarly expertise toward the advancement of the museum’s research and educational goals. For more about the museum, please visit the Scottsboro Boys Museum and Cultural Center website.