By Sarah Stephens
Elmore Autauga News
Top photo, from left: Museum volunteer Donna Roberts, Assistant Curator Katie Fells, Curator Jordan Scott.
Prattaugan Museum is open Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There is no admission.
Through the month of February, the Prattaugan Museum in downtown Prattville has a special, temporary display to honor law enforcement.
Museum Curator Jordan Scott said this is special to her, as well as her sister Katie Fells, as their father has years of service with the Alabama Law Enforcement agency as a Trooper. Katie also works at the museum as an exhibit assistant.
Jordan reached out to the Prattville Police, Autauga County Sheriff’s Office and ALEA, asking if they had any items that could be displayed throughout the entryway and two rooms of the museum.
Asked and answered! The items are now on display which show multiple pieces of equipment, photos and history of law enforcement in our area.
“We wanted to do something for the wider community, and with which people with which people could connect with. We have a lot of familial connections to law enforcement. I have really been wanting to do something for a while to show our appreciation, and that the community cares about them,” Jordan said.
She started with her dad and ALEA, then reached out to the other agencies and asking for items to be on loan.
“They have loaned us a lot of historical items to showcase,” Jordan said.
As soon as you step through the door, you will see a large police light that was once in front of city hall in the 1970s.
The front entry way is dedicated to Prattville Police, and two other rooms individually feature the sheriff’s department and ALEA.
One of Jordan’s favorites is a display of badges from years’ past. Another is a large camera that was used in crime and accident scene investigations.
Multiple pieces of equipment used in days gone by are on display, as well as uniforms and motorcycle leathers.
This display is very personal to Jordan and her sister Katie with direct family tie to law enforcement through their father.
“It is so incredibly cool. It is just a way to show them that we appreciate them,” Jordan said. “Growing up with my dad, I know how much of their lives they dedicate to their job.” She said her dad’s dedication to his job did mean there were missed family events, but as she grew older she respected it even more.
“Law enforcement officers dedicate so much to their jobs and to their communities,” Jordan said. “Here in our area, we appreciate that. And it is something that putting up this exhibit, you can see the personal ties that almost everyone has. They are in our families, they are in our in neighborhoods, and they are not just there pulling people over. It is all about personal connections, and what has been built and made over time.”
Jordan recently celebrated her first year as the Curator and has brought a lot of new displays and ideas into the museum.
“We are really kickstarting getting younger kids involved in the museum. We call it the Teen Team where teenagers come in on Fridays. They give tours and do curator work, too. They are getting together and planning an exhibit for April. They have all done their research. They have all picked their projects, their connections, the partnerships. I am proud of them. It is a new generation getting involved with the museum.”
Jordan said she is very interested in bringing more teens into the program. If you have questions about that, please contact her.
Jordan said there are still many people who live in Prattville who have never visited the museum. “If I could stand in front of the museum with a sign that reads, ‘We are here,’ I would.” She invites more people to come, visit, and learn a lot of local history.
Her goal for the coming year is to connect with a wider community. “Even people who are really new to the community, I want to get them involved, as well as the entire community.”
The soft opening was held in late January, but she has continued to add to the temporary collection. The first few days were homeschool students, but she encourages any teacher, or area residents to please come and bring friends. There is no admission to enjoy the museum. The museum also serves as a Welcome Center. During parades, residents are invited to come and enjoy the front porch for a great viewing area.
And remember, there is a vast library of genealogy and history available at the museum.
Historically, the house has been at its current location since the 1840s. It is commonly also known as the Smith House. It has been a landmark in the community for a very long time. The home was originally across the creek. A team of mules and rafts brought the home to its current location.
Many of the windows, and most of the home features are original and intact. The artesian well on the property is visited regularly by residents who love the fresh, clean water.
Come and meet Jordan, Katie, and the many volunteers that work so hard, and are so proud to show off the museum.
Scroll through the gallery for photos of just some of the items currently on display. Click on first picture for full size photos.
