By Andrew Edwards
Elmore/Autauga News Staff Writer
It’s been several months, but the Autauga County Heritage Association has been hard at work trying to reopen their most popular attraction – the Prattaugan Museum. Their grand reopening will take place on July 3.
Closed due the pandemic, the Museum showcases pieces of Autauga County’s rich history, including artifacts and extensive archives like maps, cemetery, church, and family histories.
Last month the ACHA hired a new, full-time director, Laura Bonner, to take over operations at the museum.
Bonner is a Prattville native, a graduate of Prattville High School and Troy University. She has a strong background in research and organization, having studied English and History at Troy. She has continued her education “in the field,” visiting battlefields, cemeteries, museums, and reading extensively about American and British history.
Over the last eight years she has worked as the Costume Mistress for Alabama River Region Ballet and as a Costume Seamstress and Costume Shop Assistant at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival where historical accuracy in costuming is a high priority.
“I’ve loved my time here so far. Everyone loves what they do, and people are here because they want to be. It’s fun to work in an organization where people are excited about what they are doing,” Bonner said.
Bonner, along with other members of the ACHA, have been working tirelessly to put together their “Walk Through Time Wedding Exhibit,” which features wedding dresses and items dating from the late 1800s through the present.
Each artifact relates back to Autauga County in some form or fashion, one of which is Kate Burns Wadsworth’s “Second Day Dress” which belonged to the daughter of James C. Burns, the first Mayor of Prattville, who served from 1895 until 1915.
Many more dresses, such as ones like Wadsworth’s, were already primed and ready to be viewed.
The exhibit will be ready and on full-display for their July 3 grand reopening.
Bonner said that many of their dresses were donated by descendants of the wearer, all of which were in excellent condition.
“We really appreciate the outreach that we’ve had from the community and are thankful for their willingness to be so helpful as we’ve tried to put this exhibit together,” Bonner said.
The museum’s reopening will take place on the same day as the City of Prattville’s Fourth of July Parade and Lion’s Club BBQ. Bonner and other members of the ACHA will have an event of their own that day, as they will have punch and a wedding cake donated by Girl Meets Cake – both of which will be available to the public.
“Since we’ll have our wedding theme, we thought it would be fun to throw a little reception for anyone who wants to come by and check out everything that’s going on,” Bonner said.
Visits to the Prattaugan Museum are free, and hours of operation can be viewed below:
Tuesday – Friday 9 am -3 pm
Saturday 10 am – 2 pm
Bonner said that volunteers are always welcome, and that those wanting to know more information about the association can do so on their Facebook page or at: https://autaugahistory.org/?fbclid=IwAR19i8L9qA1eMpNDGMhR-KtNEiYU2IxUyl6hTaq3tTwGrZUoTJkWiajUSog
