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By Mark Rogers

The Lowndes Signal

An event to help celebrate Alabama’s Bicentennial is being planned for July 27 in Lowndesboro.

“The Elmore Bolling Foundation (TEBF) will be rejoicing at the Bicentennial Celebratory Event which will be held at the historic Lowndesboro School and is now being planned with the town of Lowndesboro,” Josephine Bolling McCall said. 

Each town in every county was offered $2,500 by the Bicentennial Commission to organize and execute a bicentennial celebration intended to improve the education and understanding of all Alabamians and visitors regarding the state’s history and heritage; and create and promote lasting initiatives designed to benefit the state and its local citizens.

“The Town of Lowndesboro didn’t apply for its funds, therefore TEBF as a non-profit was eligible to apply – and did so,” McCall said. “We received the funds with the purpose of repairing or replacing the windows and doors of the historic 19th-century Lowndesboro School, which The Elmore Bolling Foundation is preserving and restoring and having a celebratory event recognizing the state’s 200th birthday. We will have food, games, music and fun.”

McCall said Lowndesboro Mayor Anne Spooner and some townspeople are working with The Elmore Bolling Foundation to plan the event, which will be held on the school’s campus from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 27.

The school’s founder, a former slave, Dr. Mansfield Tyler, served in the Alabama Legislature from 1870-1872, founded several churches and served on the board of trustees of Selma University from its inception until his death in 1904. Dr. Tyler was inducted into the Alabama Men’s Hall of Fame in September 2018. Some of Dr. Tyler’s descendants from several states will be in attendance as well as many of TEBF’s board members including Board Chair Victoria Rothbaum from Boston, Mass.