Thousands of people came to Fort Toulouse-Fort Jackson Park throughout the week to get a glimpse of daily life during the century before Alabama became a state.
At the 23rd annual Alabama Frontier Days, which was held at the park from Nov. 7-10, visitors were able to interact with impersonators, watch demonstrations and participate in activities that were reflective of life between 1700 and 1820.
“During that time frame is when we have a very interesting period of history,” Park Director Ove Jensen said. “The French arrived in 1717, and with that, we begin to have sort of an international district. They’ll live here as neighbors with people called the Alabamas, who are part of the Creek confederacy.”
While he primarily sees visitors from elementary schools, Jensen said he has seen an increasing number of middle and high schools bring students each year.
Nowadays, Jensen said state history is part of the curriculum for Alabama fourth graders, and they are hoping to give them a clearer view of Alabama’s settlement period.
“One of our most popular demonstrations, for example, is the blacksmithing demonstration. If they ever read a story about a blacksmith or someone shoeing a horse, they have seen what goes into making that metal object,” Jensen said. “Sometimes, history can be dry in a classroom, coming out of a book. This will make it come alive and jump off the page.”
Wales Ferry Road Elementary School third grader Sammaria Davis said her favorite part of the event was the cannon firing reenactment.
“It’s so loud, and it’s really, really big,” Sammaria said. “It’s cooler than a bazooka.”
Reenactor Al Bouler, who has played the role of Davy Crockett, remarked on how unique of an event Alabama Frontier Days is.
“When I was a little kid, we didn’t have any reenactments that I knew of,” Bouler said. “Television was my focal point into history, as well as reading any book I could get ahold of.”
Throughout the week, Bouler said he has seen Alabama Frontier Days instill a love of history in some visitors.
“This brings history to life. A lot of people today are trying to erase that history, and it’s important to preserve it,” Bouler said. “I think it makes them interested in history. One might become a reenactor later in life. You just don’t know.”
Over the years, Jensen said he has seen Alabama Frontier Days grow extremely popular and become an event that many schools look forward to attending.
“We have people who came to this event as children who have grown up and become teachers and are not bringing their students,” Jensen said. “I feel very safe in saying that this is the largest living history event in the state.”
