Features Editor

What was once Pike County’s best kept secret is no longer.

The word is out about the Pioneer Museum of Alabama, not just in Alabama, but throughout the tri-states area and even as far away as the South of France.

The Pioneer Museum of Alabama was featured in the August edition of International Tendance & Lifestyle magazine which is distributed in

Monaco and the French and Italian Rivieras.

The museum was featured in a two-page color spread along with the Alabama Art movement, which began in the South of France when internationally-acclaimed artist and Troy native, Nall Hollis, opened the exhibition titled "Alabama Art" at the Nall Museum in Vence, France. The movement is being sustained and supported by the entities of Troy – the city, Troy State University, the Pike County Chamber of Commerce, the Pioneer Museum of Alabama and the Troy Council on the Arts and Humanities – and the Nall Foundation.

In the article about the museum, Fabienne Roger referred to the Pioneer Museum of Alabama as one of South Alabama’s best tourist attractions.

Roger cited the physical wealth of the museum, including its thousands of artifacts, 15 buildings, amphitheater, hiking trails and wetlands area and the many cultural heritage programs as true treasures for visitors to the museum.

"We always have people visiting with us from other countries, but what a wonderful plus for the museum to be featured in an internationally distributed magazine," said Charlotte Gibson, museum director. "Now, even those overseas know what an outstanding museum we have in Troy."

Milton McPherson, a museum member who is assisting with the membership drive,

agreed

the museum is, indeed, a gem and he hopes the people of Pike County appreciate what a treasure it is.

"I’ve visited many museums over the years and most of them are state supported, but our museum holds its own with any of them," he said. "I would say the Pioneer Museum of Alabama is arguably the finest privately-supported museum in the Southeast.

"The people of Pike County should support it enthusiastically. It is a wonderful advertisement for Troy and Pike County. We must protect our heritage for ourselves and others. People from all 50 states and several foreign countries have visited our museum."

Membership to the museum is one of the real-deals when it comes to entertainment.

"For the price of 10 burgers and fries, your whole family can go out to the museum every day for a year if they so choose," McPherson said. "The museum membership drive is underway and, now is the best time to join."

Those who join now will have the benefit of membership through Dec. 31, 2001 and the year 2002.

"This is a great opportunity for membership," McPherson said. "There are several big events planned through December, the Atlanta Rhythm Section will be in concert in November. Also, in November is one of the biggest events at the museum, Pioneer Day. In December, the Pioneer Christmas Candlelight Tour and Caroling is a great way to celebrate the season. We hope that everyone will take advantage of this extended membership opportunity."

Membership dues are $20 for individuals and $35 for families. Membership includes unlimited free admission to the museum, 10 percent discount on purchases in the museum gift shop, free admission to special museum events as designated and a subscription to "The Pioneer Herald," a newsletter of the museum.

For more information or to become a member, call the museum at 566-3597. The museum accepts Visa and MasterCard, checks – and cash.

Editor’s note: The "International Tendance & Lifestyle " magazine also featured the state’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trails, Troy State University, the city of Troy and two of Troy’s notable ladies, Janice Hawkins and Baba Hendricks, in a six-page color spread.’